State Fair 2018 (Second Visit) - Cannas

Sunday, September 2, 2018

The walking tour brochure I picked up on my previous visit  mentions the "iconic cannas" that the greenhouse superintendents and groundskeepers who lived in the J.V. Bailey House would take care of. I was intrigued to know what this iconic plant looks like. I googled it and realized I've been looking at it for all these years without realizing what it is and that it's a tropical plant that must grow year round in warmer climates. They must get them going in the greenhouse over the winter and then move them outside in the spring so they're nice and big when the fair opens in late August.

State Fair 2018 (First Visit) - J.V. Bailey House

Saturday, August 25, 2018

According to the walking tour brochure:

"Built in 1911, restored 2006"

"Then: The State Fair's green thumbs once 'planted themselves' at the J.V. Bailey House. From 1916 to 2004, greenhouse superintendents and groundskeepers resided year-round at the 1911 American foursquare-style home. They watched over the greenhouse and took care of the iconic canna, the beautiful red-and-yellow tropical flowers growing by the thousands throughout the fairgrounds. The house is named for J.V. Bailey, founder of Bailey Nurseries, Agricultural Society superintendent of horticulture (1912-1932) and board member (1924-1934)."

"Now: Since 2006, the Bailey House has been home to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation. Founded in 2002, the foundation preserves and improves the historic Minnesota State Fair's buildings, the fairgrounds, and educational programs Stop by to learn how you can become a Friend of the Fair."