As original buildings on the But not in Oklahoma. Hemphill has to offer or the latest in eastside Fairgrounds grew old and members of the Fair Board farm equipment and machinery. and outdated, the State Fair believed the State Fair could Exhibition buildings offer dwindled to half its former size. help bring the state together everything from hot tubs and Housing additions, oil wells, and in the war effort. They brought storage sheds to clothing and storage tanks occupied the land soldiers, sailors, and airmen and Made In Oklahoma products. around the Fairgrounds, choking their military equipment to the The arena hosts bull and bronc out any chance of expansion. Fair to educate visitors about the riding, along with Disney On Ice. Frequent floods damaged challenges faced in fighting a world And its equine facilities have buildings and grounds. war on both sides of the globe. earned it the title of “Horse Hemphill attempted to take Keeping the State Fair open Show Capital of the World.” advantage of matching federal during World War II was a huge The OKC Fairgrounds is funds in 1937 to move the State success. In 1944, thousands much more than a mecca for Fair to a new location. The most walked through a bullet-riddled entertainment, it is an economic favored spot was at Southwest B-17 bomber and touched the powerhouse, attracting over 29th Street and May Avenue, machine guns and armaments two million visitors annually a large parcel of land set aside that were used to destroy 20 and providing an influx of more during the development of Japanese Zeros and six Japanese than $325 million. In addition the parks system along Grand battleships. The B-17 was being to putting Oklahomans to work, Boulevard that circled the city. repaired at Tinker Field. The restaurants, hotels, shopping Unfortunately, the city council bomber exhibit was a primary malls, and other local attractions did not agree, and turned down an reason for a record attendance at benefit greatly by this 21st attractive package of money from the Fair. Century Tourism Destination. the state legislature, the Chamber In 1945 the federal government The Oklahoma State Fair of Commerce, and private donors. cancelled conventions and fairs and the OKC Fairgrounds Once again, leaders of the State to focus on war preparedness, continue to invest in those Fair faced a crisis. but that did not deter the Fair that call Oklahoma home. Hemphill, who was general Board. Hemphill and city fathers During the COVID-19 global manager of the State Fair for 35 quickly put together a three- pandemic tens of thousands years, somehow held the annual day “local festival,” with an of Oklahomans were tested exposition together. After low emphasis on entertainment, with and received vaccinations at attendance and participation free admission. Without the the Bennett Event Center. during the Great Depression, the traditional agricultural flavor to Annually, high school students Fair rebounded and broke even the normal State Fair, finances earn scholarships to continue financially most years. There was suffered, but the “show did go on their education and teachers little growth or innovation because without interruption.” are provided with resources to of lack of funds to improve or supplement their efforts in replace rundown buildings. or more than 100 years the the classroom. Whatever city leaders’ comfort FOklahoma State Fair has been With a commitment to growth level was with the status quo providing something for every and expansion, the physical disappeared after the Japanese visitor that passes through its landscape of the OKC Fairgrounds attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941 gates. While some head to the will continue to evolve and and America entered into World Midway for the ride of a lifetime with that comes countless new War II. Across the nation, many or to Food Row for an Indian opportunities for Oklahomans of Fairs were cancelled in favor of Taco, others explore the newest all ages. war preparations and support. models the automobile industry 22