State Fair 2018 (First Visit) - Progress Center

Saturday, August 25, 2018

The following is from the State Fair walking tour brochure:

"Progress Center"

"Built 1907"

"Then: Designed by St. Paul architects and built in just three months, this building originally was used to house poultry and was touted as 'the largest exhibition building for poultry in the world.' In 1928, poultry flew the coop and it became the State Exhibits Building. It housed an exhibit from each institution of the state, giving an opportunity for the department heads to explain the functions of their respective offices to citizens. In 1989, the building was renamed the Progress Center and held the Oriental Pavilion and later, the Wonders of Technology."

"Now: In 2006, Eco Experience exhibit opened in the building, focusing on renewable energy, organic food, and green technology. The Progress Center continues to feature presentations and hands-on exhibits along that theme."

State Fair 2013 (2nd Trip) - Hamline Dining Hall

One of the food items on my list to try this year was Mini Donut Batter Crunch Ice Cream by Izzy's. It was being sold at the Hamline Church Dining Hall on Dan Patch Avenue.  The Hamline Dining Hall has been there for years. In fact, I remember taking my younger brother Pete there on a trip we made to the Fair way back in 1989. As far as I know it's the last of the church dining halls left at the fair. Anyway, when Dale and I got there, they were out of the Mini Donut Batter Crunch. I went with mint chip in a cone and they topped it off for me with a scoop of sea salt and caramel by Izzy's. Dale got his in a cup and had the a scoop of the sea salt and caramel with a scoop of mint chip. Very delicious.

Lillian Colton

Following is the obituary for Lillian Colton from the Owatonna, Minnesota People's Press and is dated March 22, 2007. The obituary was written by Jeffrey Jackson.

"Famed Owatonna crop artist Lillian Colton, whose work was displayed prominently at the Minnesota State Fair and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, died Tuesday at her home, her family announced"

"She was 95"

"Colton, who was also a long-time superintendent of the fine arts at the Steele County Free Fair, had gained a national and even international reputation for her work, which used parts of plants, including seeds, stems and other structures, to produce art."

"She first entered her art work in competition at the Minnesota State Fair in 1965. In her second year of competition, she earned a second-place ribbon. In 1973, she won 'Best of Show' for the fair and earned 12 such 'Best of Show' awards from the state fair before retiring from competition in 1982."

"Since that time, she worked for the state fair as a demonstrator of crop art."

"'They put her on the payroll,' said her son Jon Colton of Owatonna."

I took the above photo at the 2011 State Fair. In the picture are a few of the many works of Lillian Colton which were on loan by her family. I've always enjoyed looking at the crop art. I don't know if it's because I'm fascinated that people can sit around and make art out of plants or that it's just kitschy or both.