“We came just to bring a little bit of Missouri to the Great American State Fair”: Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas at the Great American State Fair 

(Editor’s note: A series on The Great American State Fair, held in Washington, D.C., in honor of America’s 250th birthday, written by Heartlander News interns.)

Far from “flyover country,” the Midwestern states highlighted nonprofit organizations, agricultural achievements, destinations and historical figures at the Great American State Fair.

Missouri

The Missouri Division of Tourism, a state agency based in Jefferson City, highlighted the state’s famous destinations and honored the 100th anniversary of Route 66, the epic American road which crosses the state, connecting St. Louis and Springfield. Along one wall, a giant map with stickers allowed guests to mark where they live along the route.

“We came just to bring a little bit of Missouri to the Great American State Fair,” Lori Simms, deputy director of the Missouri Division of Tourism, told Heartlander News.

Alongside the Route 66 map, her team displayed a backdrop featuring Missouri landmarks illuminated with neon – another nod to The Mother Road, famous for its roadside neon signs. The display included the Gateway Arch and professional sports teams, including Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals, as well as the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues.

The Truman Library and Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art represented popular museums in the Kansas City area. Silver Dollar City in Branson and the Rabbit Hole children’s museum in Kansas City were also featured.

Nebraska

Nebraska’s booth promoted the state’s agriculture, energy and charitable organizations. Cutouts of state fair grand champion livestock, primarily prize-winning goats and pigs, filled the exhibit.

One wall featured a large display from Nebraska energy company Tenaska. Another section highlighted Boys Town, the Omaha-based nonprofit that serves children and families. The organization has expanded to provide residential care, medical services and family support.

Kansas

Kansas highlighted popular culture, history and agriculture. One corner featured cutouts of Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz, reminding guests that “There’s no place like home.” Another display featured aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, who was born in Atchison.

Throughout the booth, banners promoted the state’s agricultural production. Kansas produces nearly 570 million gallons of milk annually and raises 5.85 million cattle, including 1.15 million beef cows. According to booth displays, the state accounts for 22% of U.S. beef production and generates $18.33 billion in cash receipts. Kansas also ranks first nationally in the value of beef exports. In addition, Kansas pork producers generate more than 600 million pounds of pork each year.

Iowa

The Iowa booth guided guests through displays highlighting attractions across the state. One section encouraged visitors to “Find Adventure Across Iowa,” featuring destinations including Effigy Mounds National Monument, Loess Hills National Scenic Byway and the Field of Dreams movie site.

Other attractions included Arnolds Park Amusement Park, Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area – one of 62 national heritage areas designated to preserve and connect people with the land – and the Freedom Rock Tour, which features annually painted boulders honoring veterans.

Another display highlighted notable Iowans, including President Herbert Hoover, Vice President Henry A. Wallace and agricultural scientist George Washington Carver.

Illinois

The Illinois booth highlighted important state and national history. The Peoria Riverfront Museum showcased its Promise of Liberty exhibition featuring founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence. Guests could also take photos with a holographic image of President Abraham Lincoln, who spent most of his adult life in Springfield.

The booth also emphasized Illinois’ contributions to architecture and agriculture. Displays noted Chicago as the birthplace of the skyscraper, Willis Tower as the former tallest building in the world and Oak Park as the place where architect Frank Lloyd Wright developed his early Prairie style. In agriculture, the booth highlighted Illinois’ corn and soybean production and noted that Morton is known as the Pumpkin Capital of the World.