Exhibits to see, lots to learn, people watching to do – and all kinds of food-on-a-stick. That’s what makes a State Fair great.
The 1945 movie, “State Fair,” features chorus lyrics by Rodgers and Hammerstein declaring: “Our State Fair is a great State Fair – is a great – is a great – is a great State Fair. Hey!”
Mountain Lake Public Elementary School (MLES) fourth-grade students touted their own version with a “State(s) Fair” on Friday afternoon, March 28, with state displays scattered around the elementary gymnasium.
For many weeks, the students of social studies teacher Stephanie Willaby (her teaching partner Matt Anderson teaches science to the students) have been studying a specific state, along with preparing display boards, for the event. Research included the State Nickname, State Flower, State Bird, State Food, State Muffin, State Animal, State Insect . . . State “Whatever” – along with what makes that particular state a great state. Along with sharing knowledge about their state, the students provided state fair attendees with plenty of selections of food-on-a-stick or food-on-a-plate or snack-in-a-cup or beverage-in-a-glass.
Below are photographs of many of the students with their state boards:
ALEXIS DUNN’S ALABAMA display featured a taste of (and recipe for) “Good Ol’ Alabama Sweet Tea!” The most interesting thing Alexis learned was that cotton is grown in Alabama – and is turned into clothing.
MERCEDES SAENGOSOTH EVEN had a road map of her state – Colorado – laid out on her long-sleeve T-shirt. The most interesting fact Mercedes learned is that the state’s highest mountain – Mount Elbert – near Lead, is 14,433 feet high. She served state fair visitors the State Muffin – a carrot muffin topped with a cream cheese frosting.
WITH THE OREO factory located just outside of Chicago, Kaden Haberman was pleased to serve up samples of the sandwich cookie to visitors. According to Kaden, his state – Illinois – has many things of interest to him – including the Chicago Bears and the John Deere plant in Moline (sorry, Grandpa Jerry, but Kaden did say that he still “bleeds orange.”) From a historical perspective, Kaden found the Abraham Lincoln/Stephen Douglas debates interesting to learn about.
ONE-THIRD OF the potatoes grown in the United States are grown in Idaho – the most interesting thing Sommer Majerus learned about her state. In addition, the late Minnesota Twins slugger, Harmon Killebrew, was born in the Idaho. Her taste treat was Idaho Potato Cake – made with – what else – mashed potatoes.
CONNIE SENGMANY WAS one of just a few of the fourth-graders who had actually visited the state she studied – Hawaii. Connie found it interesting that Hawaii has a population of 1,567,899 on its group of scattered islands. Of course, the pineapple is a popular fruit grown on the islands. Connie featured another Hawaiian crop – coconut – with her coconut pudding samples.
ACCORDING TO JASMINE Davison, her state – Georgia – had six different state capitals in its history until it was finally decided it would be Atlanta. The popular carbonated soda, Coca-Cola, was invented by Dr. John Pemberton in the late 19th Century as a patent medicine. Samples of that cola were distributed by Jasmine.
TANNER KOETZLE BROUGHT a little sunshine to the day with orange slice samples from his state – Florida. The most interesting thing for Tanner about his state is the fact that Disney World is in the state (trip time – hint, hint).
THIS OKLAHOMA COWGIRL discovered that her state has more man-made lakes than any other state in the United States – 1,000,000 surface acres of water. Corn bread muffins – featuring corn – one of the crops grown in the state, were Jordan’s treat samples.
WHEN ASKED IF he liked learning about his state, Micah Holmberg answered in good ol’ Texas fashion – “Yep !” He handed out samples of Dr. Pepper, a drink which was invented in the 1880s by Charles Alderton of Waco, Texas, and was first served in 1885. Micah also shared that the State Capitol in Austin is seven-feet higher than the United States Capitol in Washington, D. C. As Texas is “The Beef State,” Micah sports his cowboy hat – along with the skull of a beef cow.
BILL GATES – LOOK out! Sierra Perkins is coming to find you. Sierra’s state – Washington – is home to Gates’ company, Microsoft. Sierra is clutching an Orca whale, a mammal that often visits the Pacific Ocean on that state’s western border.
“SAY CHEESE!” KOLBY Kremmin appropriately serves up Colby/Jack cheese square samples for his state – Wisconsin. Kolby is also wearing a cheese chunk necklace. Of course, learning that Harley-Davidson has a manufacturing plant and museum in Milwaukee was the #1 most interesting thing Kolby learned.
FAITH SIMON LOVES her some Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream – and knows exactly where to find its headquarters (Burlington) and main factory (Waterbury) in her state – Vermont. The company was founded in 1978. But, the most interesting thing Faith learned was that a “Rotten Sneaker Contest” is held in Montpelier. That began in 1974.
KADE WASSMAN OFFERED up candy Ohio buckeyes supporting his state – Ohio. These buckeyes, however are peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate, while real buckeyes are nuts that grow on trees and are related to the horse chestnut. Kade also shared that Ohio has four “Halls of Fame.” The Professional Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame are both in Canton, the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland and the American Classical Music Hall of Fame is in Cincinnati.
