Sept. 4 (UPI) — Labor Day serves as a reminder that the summer season is coming to a close, but this time of year also marks peak season for State Fairs — and these celebrations bring with them a number of unusual traditions.
The first State Fair was held in Syracuse, New York, in September 1841, and now State Fairs are held in 48 states, excluding Connecticut and Rhode Island. Some states, such as Texas, Alaska, and Washington, host multiple Fairs every year.
While State Fairs are well-known for their deep-fried foods, carnival rides, musical performances, and agricultural demonstrations, some Fairs have gained recognition for their unique traditions, including butter cows, hot air balloon races, and giant cabbage competitions.
Here are five of the most peculiar traditions celebrated at U.S. State Fairs.
Butter Cows — Ohio, Iowa, Illinois
The first butter cow sculpture was displayed at the Ohio State Fair in 1903, followed by similar sculptures debuting at the Iowa State Fair in 1911 and the Illinois State Fair in 1922.
Other states, including Michigan, Minnesota, and Kansas, have since introduced their own versions of the butter cow. Some states have put unique twists on the tradition by creating additional butter sculptures of calves, other animals, local agricultural icons, sports heroes, and historical figures.
Sarah Pratt is the current sculptor for both the Iowa and Illinois butter cows, and she spends several weeks crafting each buttery bovine.
Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off — Alaska
Among the various competitions at State Fairs, Alaska stands out with its unique agricultural contest: the Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off.
Farmers from across the state compete against each other by submitting their heaviest cabbages to win $2,000 in prizes.
In 2012, Palmer resident Scott Robb set a world record for the heaviest cabbage at the Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off, with his colossal cabbage weighing in at 138.25 pounds. That’s a lot of coleslaw!
Hot Air Balloon Race — Indiana
In 1975, the Indiana State Fair introduced its first hot air balloon race, which became the inaugural event of the fair due to its immense popularity.
The race follows the “hare” and “hound” format, where a balloon known as the “hare” leads the competitors while the teams in the “hound” balloons try to toss a bean bag with a streamer as close as possible to the center of the target marked with an “X.”
Unfortunately, the balloon race has been canceled multiple times due to unsuitable weather conditions.
Giant Slides — Wisconsin, Minnesota
Since 1968, the Wisconsin State Fair has offered visitors the chance to experience the original low-tech thrill ride: a five-story-tall Giant Slide.
A similar slide was introduced at the Minnesota State Fair the following year.
These slides, which send riders down a 170-foot-long track on burlap sacks, were created by Fred and Beverly Pittroff after being inspired by a smaller slide they encountered in Santa Cruz, Calif.
While the Pittroff family created 42 slides, the ones at the Minnesota and Wisconsin State Fairs are the only ones still operated by the family. In fact, the Pittroffs’ daughter, Stacey Pitroff, even had her wedding at the top of the slide during the Minnesota State Fair in 1993.
Rooster Crowing Contest — Kentucky
The Kentucky State Fair is well-known for hosting one of the most ear-splitting competitions imaginable: the Rooster Crowing Contest.
During this contest, Kentuckians bring their loudest roosters to see which one can crow the most times within a 15-minute period.
Legend has it that the contest originated as a way to settle a dispute between two feuding farmers. The winner of the contest receives $5 and a bag of chicken feed.
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