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Meet Me on the Midway: A History of Wisconsin Fairs
Jerry Apps explores the history of county and state fairs in Wisconsin, from their earliest incarnations as livestock exhibitions to today’s multitude of exhibits and demonstrations, grandstand entertainment, games and rides, and competitions of all sorts. Drawing on his extensive research, interviews, and personal experience as a 4-H leader, county extension agent, fair judge, and lifelong fairgoer, Apps takes readers back through 178 years of Wisconsin fair history, covering everything from horsepulling and calf-showing contests to exhibit judging to the roar of gasoline engines powering the midway rides. He evokes the sights and sounds of fairs through the ages while digging in to the political and social forces that shaped the fair into an icon of our rural heritage. Illustrated with vintage and modern photos and featuring the voices of exhibitors, judges, volunteers, and visitors, Meet Me on the Midway vividly captures the thrills and cherished memories of these beloved annual gatherings.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2022
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Apps
96 books89 followersJerold W. Apps, born and raised on a Wisconsin farm, is Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the author of more than 30 books, many of them on rural history and country life. His nonfiction books include: Living a Country Year, Every Farm Tells a Story, When Chores Were Done, Humor from the Country, Country Ways and Country Days, One-Room Schools, Cheese, Breweries of Wisconsin, Ringlingville USA (History of Ringling Brothers circus), Old Farm: A History, Barns of Wisconsin, Horse Drawn Days: A Century of Farming With Horses, and Campfires and Loon Calls. His children's books include: Stormy, Eat Rutabagas, Tents, Tigers and the Ringling Brothers, and Casper Jaggi: Master Swiss Cheese Maker. He has an audio book, The Back Porch and Other Stories. Jerry has published four novels, The Travels of Increase Joseph, In a Pickle: A Family Farm Story, Blue Shadows Farm and Cranberry Red. Jerry is a former publications editor for UW-Extension, an acquisitions editor for the McGraw-Hill Book Company, and editor of a national professional journal.
Jerry has won awards for his writing from the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Library Association (the 2007 Notable Authors Award), American Library Association, Foreword Magazine, Midwest Independent Publishers Association, Robert E. Gard Foundation, The Wisconsin Council for Writers (the 2007 Major Achievement Award), Upper Midwest Booksellers, and Barnes and Noble Bookstores, among others. In 2010 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Check www.jerryapps.com for more information.
Jerry has won awards for his writing from the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Library Association (the 2007 Notable Authors Award), American Library Association, Foreword Magazine, Midwest Independent Publishers Association, Robert E. Gard Foundation, The Wisconsin Council for Writers (the 2007 Major Achievement Award), Upper Midwest Booksellers, and Barnes and Noble Bookstores, among others. In 2010 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Check www.jerryapps.com for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 8, 2022
Meet Me on the Midway: A History of Wisconsin Fairs by Jerry Apps presents an engaging and informative history of Wisconsin’s state and county fairs. This book focuses on the stories of agricultural societies, county extension agents, fair organizers, judges, volunteers, exhibitors, workers, and 4-H and Future Farmers of America members. Because the author never forgets that history is the story of people, he pulls readers into the fascinating behind-the-scenes world of state and county fairs. Readers will also appreciate the generous servings of photographs, which are as delectable as fair food and as eye catching as the midway.
In the introduction Apps shares some of his father’s memories of the Waushara County Fair from the 1920s, then Apps recounts his first trip to the fair in 1938. His descriptive writing evokes the enchantment and camaraderie fair participants experienced. His skillful writing and passion for fairs conveyed in the introduction continues throughout the book.
In “Part I: Origins and Organizations” readers learn why fairs were first initiated and about their continued importance to agriculture. Apps highlights successes and problems in establishing and sustaining fairs, which involve many people and different organizations. He includes quotes from people with strong connections to fairs.
“Part II: What Makes a Fair a Fair” discusses exhibits, clubs, judges, judging, fair food, the carnival, and the midway. This is the heart of Apps’ history. Readers may find they have an urge to attend a fair after reading this section. And when they do, they will have a greater understanding about the role both state and county fairs play in educating future farmers and sharing agricultural expertise, all while providing fun for neighbors, friends, and family.
“Part III: County and State Fair Histories” gives a brief history of each Wisconsin county that had or still has a fair. Readers gain a sense of their common histories but are also treated to stories that are unique to each county’s fair.
“Part IV: Fair Memories and Meaning” features engaging stories from people who worked, volunteered, organized, or exhibited at the fair during their youth and adulthood. Apps lets each person’s story shine.
Readers who exhibited or worked at fairs will enjoy this book because they will relish reading about fair experiences shared by fellow fair devotees. Casual fair attendees will appreciate this book because they will be impressed by what happens at a fair beyond the rides and food. All readers will appreciate the research and expertise Jerry Apps brings to his topic because he was a county extension agent, a professor of agriculture, a 4-H member, and a judge. Readers will treasure the touching, inspiring, funny, and sometimes eye-rolling stories throughout the book that capture the essence of the fair.
Finally, if you know someone with a close connection to state or county fairs, this book will make a wonderful gift.
In the introduction Apps shares some of his father’s memories of the Waushara County Fair from the 1920s, then Apps recounts his first trip to the fair in 1938. His descriptive writing evokes the enchantment and camaraderie fair participants experienced. His skillful writing and passion for fairs conveyed in the introduction continues throughout the book.
In “Part I: Origins and Organizations” readers learn why fairs were first initiated and about their continued importance to agriculture. Apps highlights successes and problems in establishing and sustaining fairs, which involve many people and different organizations. He includes quotes from people with strong connections to fairs.
“Part II: What Makes a Fair a Fair” discusses exhibits, clubs, judges, judging, fair food, the carnival, and the midway. This is the heart of Apps’ history. Readers may find they have an urge to attend a fair after reading this section. And when they do, they will have a greater understanding about the role both state and county fairs play in educating future farmers and sharing agricultural expertise, all while providing fun for neighbors, friends, and family.
“Part III: County and State Fair Histories” gives a brief history of each Wisconsin county that had or still has a fair. Readers gain a sense of their common histories but are also treated to stories that are unique to each county’s fair.
“Part IV: Fair Memories and Meaning” features engaging stories from people who worked, volunteered, organized, or exhibited at the fair during their youth and adulthood. Apps lets each person’s story shine.
Readers who exhibited or worked at fairs will enjoy this book because they will relish reading about fair experiences shared by fellow fair devotees. Casual fair attendees will appreciate this book because they will be impressed by what happens at a fair beyond the rides and food. All readers will appreciate the research and expertise Jerry Apps brings to his topic because he was a county extension agent, a professor of agriculture, a 4-H member, and a judge. Readers will treasure the touching, inspiring, funny, and sometimes eye-rolling stories throughout the book that capture the essence of the fair.
Finally, if you know someone with a close connection to state or county fairs, this book will make a wonderful gift.
September 20, 2022
Wisconsin's rural life, especially that of the 1940's and 50's has been captured in the widely popular books by Jerry Apps. In recent years, he has expanded his focus to include histories of the CCC, the circus, and lumbering. As a young farm girl in the 1960's, 4-H and getting ready for the Rock County Fair dominated my summer activities. As an adult, I was a leader and one of those 4-H parents who ended up on many committees right along my kiddos. So when I saw that Apps had written a history of Wisconsin Fairs, I was all in. The author gives a sound historical perspective -- how the University of Wisconsin started, how Extension and later 4-H became a part of almost every county. Clearly the focus was to educate farmers and their families so that they would be more successful. I just never realized that county and state officials saw fairs or agricultural expositions as a prime delivery mechanism. One detail that really surprised me is that fair premiums (prize money) in some counties was quite significant, and for some families in the early 20th Century, the money gathered from showing cattle, baking pies, and entering canned goods totaled almost more than their yearly farm income. There is a lengthy section detailing how each county started its fair, history of location and problems, and such; and I found myself skimming some of that. I paid close attention to counties whose fair I've visited or whose location I know well. I did summarize from that long section that most county fairs have had financial struggles and keeping everyone happy is never as easy as meeting on the midway for cotton candy.
September 19, 2022
I thought this was an interesting look at both the history of fairs, but also the history of Wisconsin.
It covers everything from the first fairs held in the state to the 4h clubs, food, entertainment even the carnival rides that are such huge parts of the fairs.
The thing I liked best about this book however was that it takes you through a brief history of each counties fairs.
It covers everything from the first fairs held in the state to the 4h clubs, food, entertainment even the carnival rides that are such huge parts of the fairs.
The thing I liked best about this book however was that it takes you through a brief history of each counties fairs.
July 1, 2023
fine look at the history of county fairs in wisconsin. nothing truly remarkable, and read more like an encyclopedia of the fairs than a deeper analysis. very nostalgic, appears geared towards white wisconsinites.
didnt-finish-didnt-start
September 19, 2022Had to return before could finish. Will recheck out.
August 6, 2022
Meet Me on the Midway: A History of Wisconsin Fairs by Jerry Apps presents an engaging and informative history of Wisconsin’s state and county fairs. This book focuses on the stories of agricultural societies, county extension agents, fair organizers, judges, volunteers, exhibitors, workers, and 4-H and Future Farmers of America members. Because the author never forgets that history is the story of people, he pulls readers into the fascinating behind-the-scenes world of state and county fairs. Readers will also appreciate the generous servings of photographs, which are as delectable as fair food and as eye catching as the midway.
In the introduction Apps shares some of his father’s memories of the Waushara County Fair from the 1920s, then Apps recounts his first trip to the fair in 1938. His descriptive writing evokes the enchantment and camaraderie fair participants experienced. His skillful writing and passion for fairs conveyed in the introduction continues throughout the book.
In “Part I: Origins and Organizations” readers learn why fairs were first initiated and about their continued importance to agriculture. Apps highlights successes and problems in establishing and sustaining fairs, which involve many people and different organizations. He includes quotes from people with strong connections to fairs.
“Part II: What Makes a Fair a Fair” discusses exhibits, clubs, judges, judging, fair food, the carnival, and the midway. This is the heart of Apps’ history. Readers may find they have an urge to attend a fair after reading this section. And when they do, they will have a greater understanding about the role both state and county fairs play in educating future farmers and sharing agricultural expertise, all while providing fun for neighbors, friends, and family.
“Part III: County and State Fair Histories” gives a brief history of each Wisconsin county that had or still has a fair. Readers gain a sense of their common histories but are also treated to stories that are unique to each county’s fair.
“Part IV: Fair Memories and Meaning” features engaging stories from people who worked, volunteered, organized, or exhibited at the fair during their youth and adulthood. Apps lets each person’s story shine.
Readers who exhibited or worked at fairs will enjoy this book because they will relish reading about fair experiences shared by fellow fair devotees. Casual fair attendees will appreciate this book because they will be impressed by what happens at a fair beyond the rides and food. All readers will appreciate the research and expertise Jerry Apps brings to his topic because he was a county extension agent, a professor of agriculture, a 4-H member, and a judge. Readers will treasure the touching, inspiring, funny, and sometimes eye-rolling stories throughout the book that capture the essence of the fair.
Finally, if you know someone with a close connection to state or county fairs, this book will make a wonderful gift.
In the introduction Apps shares some of his father’s memories of the Waushara County Fair from the 1920s, then Apps recounts his first trip to the fair in 1938. His descriptive writing evokes the enchantment and camaraderie fair participants experienced. His skillful writing and passion for fairs conveyed in the introduction continues throughout the book.
In “Part I: Origins and Organizations” readers learn why fairs were first initiated and about their continued importance to agriculture. Apps highlights successes and problems in establishing and sustaining fairs, which involve many people and different organizations. He includes quotes from people with strong connections to fairs.
“Part II: What Makes a Fair a Fair” discusses exhibits, clubs, judges, judging, fair food, the carnival, and the midway. This is the heart of Apps’ history. Readers may find they have an urge to attend a fair after reading this section. And when they do, they will have a greater understanding about the role both state and county fairs play in educating future farmers and sharing agricultural expertise, all while providing fun for neighbors, friends, and family.
“Part III: County and State Fair Histories” gives a brief history of each Wisconsin county that had or still has a fair. Readers gain a sense of their common histories but are also treated to stories that are unique to each county’s fair.
“Part IV: Fair Memories and Meaning” features engaging stories from people who worked, volunteered, organized, or exhibited at the fair during their youth and adulthood. Apps lets each person’s story shine.
Readers who exhibited or worked at fairs will enjoy this book because they will relish reading about fair experiences shared by fellow fair devotees. Casual fair attendees will appreciate this book because they will be impressed by what happens at a fair beyond the rides and food. All readers will appreciate the research and expertise Jerry Apps brings to his topic because he was a county extension agent, a professor of agriculture, a 4-H member, and a judge. Readers will treasure the touching, inspiring, funny, and sometimes eye-rolling stories throughout the book that capture the essence of the fair.
Finally, if you know someone with a close connection to state or county fairs, this book will make a wonderful gift.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews