April 23, 2024
Alabama State Fair
Alabama State Fair - Description
The Alabama State Fair is an annual gathering held in Birmingham, Alabama. Throughout history, the name has been used by various organizations.
Alabama State Fair - History
In 1855, the Alabama State Agricultural Society organized the first state fair in Alabama. The event—christened the Agricultural Fair and Cattle Show—was hosted in Montgomery near the Alabama River. The fair was held in the same location for five years until it had to be canceled because of the Civil War.
After the war, multiple organizations attempted to reinvent the state fair with varying success. One of the most popular associations was the Alabama State Fair Grange, which hosted its first fair in Selma in 1875. Another Alabama State Fair returned to Montgomery the same year, produced by the Alabama State Fair Association. The Association held the event in Montgomery until 1899 when it was relocated to Birmingham.
The rapid growth of the Birmingham fair prompted the City of Birmingham to purchase the fairgrounds from the Alabama State Fair Association (ASFA) in 1946. Now an official fair, the event was placed under the auspices of the Alabama State Fair Authority, a city-appointed commission. However, neither the City of Birmingham nor the State of Alabama funded the fair. Instead, the commission received low-interest loans to operate and improve the fairgrounds. Unfortunately, some projects led by the ASFA were never completed.
Despite the official endorsement of the Alabama State Fair, three more state fairs surged in Alabama—the North Alabama State Fair in Muscle Shoals (1935), the Central Alabama State Fair in Selma (1947), and the Alabama National Fair in Montgomery (1954). By the late 20th century, the Alabama State Fair could no longer compete against the other events, which received better private funding. The ASFA declared bankruptcy in 1995, and the fair was canceled after 2001.
In 2007, Universal Fairs—a for-profit company based in Tennessee—began to host its version of the Alabama State Fair. From 2008 to 2018, the event was held in Pelham before relocating to the Birmingham Race Course in 2019. While the new Alabama State Fair reintroduced livestock contests in 2012, the agricultural aspect of the fair has yet to return.
What is the Value of your Alabama State Fair collectibles? View more in our Alabama State Fair Price Guide.
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Alabama State Fair - Identification & Value
Most Alabama State Fair collectibles stem from the Birmingham fair held throughout the 20th century. Souvenirs from this era include glass mugs, creamers, tin cans, medals, lucky cents, tokens, pennants,fair programs, premium lists, and pins, among other items. An important symbol from the Alabama State Fairgrounds was the Vulcan statue, brought to Birmingham after the St. Louis World Fair in 1904. Thus, some Alabama State Fair memorabilia may feature Vulcan as the de facto fair’s symbol.
Though rare, collectors may find Alabama State Fair memorabilia from the 19th century. These items usually relate to the Alabama State Fair Grange or the original Montgomery fair held during the 1850s.
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Alabama State Fair - Symbols
The Alabama State Fair in Birmingham changed its visual identity throughout the years. In some collectibles, the logo may contain “Alabama State Fair” in bold letters.
Fair memorabilia items are often not distinguished by a maker’s mark. Items are generally identified by their relationship to the individual fair. A trustworthy, detailed provenance is often the best method of authentication.
Identify your Alabama State Fair Symbols.
Further Reading on Alabama State Fair
Books and Periodicals
From Civil War to Civil Rights, Alabama 1860–1960: An Anthology from The Alabama Review by the University of Alabama Press.
Web Resources
Alabama State Fair (Universal Fairs) www.bhamwiki.com.
Alabama State Fair Authority www.bhamwiki.com.
Alabama State Fairgrounds www.bhamwiki.com.
Fair History www.alabamafairs.com.