From butter sculptures to deep-fried beer, swine races to pickle politics, NPR presents the biggest, best, and weirdest sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of America’s annual ritual.
Step right up as the gates swing open at fairgrounds across the USA. This delightful collection explores the unique joys of the public gatherings that take place in cities and small towns, when people of all stripes and sizes meet to gawk at cows, ponder seed art, get hypnotized, compete in husband-calling contests, and eat virtually anything on a stick.
Farming, food, politics, parades, shilling, glad-handing, people-watching, and silliness are celebrated here. If you’ve been to a fair or festival, you’ll love this collection. If you haven’t, here’s what you’ve been missing.
Contents:Introduction by Noah AdamsGarrison Keillor at the Minnesota State FairPostcard: Texas State FairA Break from Politics at the County FairHard Work, Some Play at the Iowa State FairSwine Bring “Olympig” Racing to County FairsPostcard: Collectibles at the Fair“Lovey” Replaces “Sooey” in Husband-Calling ContestThe Minnesota State Fair on a StickVoices from the National Cornbread FestivalIowa’s Butter Cow LadyCompetitive Wood Chopping in West VirginiaMountain View Folk FestivalMelvin the Human BlockheadThe Phelps of Food CanningThe Funnel Cake KingOn the Midway: A Fairbanks CarnivalLost and Found Sound: Carnival Talkers
