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stores, of all which stayed open each night. Each winter from the 1890s until 1969 the fairgrounds provided winter quarters for hundreds of racehorses and their support personnel from northern racetracks. Even before the annual football contest between South
Carolina and Clemson began in earnest in 1909, "Big Thursday" was the peak day of fair week, culminating with the State Ball on Thursday evening. By the middle of the 20th century, Thursday of fair week was a state holiday centered-around the football game. The last Carolina/Clemson "Big Thursday" game was in 1959.
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it also recognized the need to encourage industrial development. Every year since 1869, except for 1918 when the influenza epidemic was raging across the nation, the
Society has sponsored a state fair. By 1903, the fair outgrew the Elmwood Avenue location, and in 1904 the annual fair moved to its present location on Rosewood Avenue (presently, Rosewood Drive).
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From its founding in 1869, the State Fair has been an important economic contributor to the local economy. Beginning in the 1870s, the carnival component of the fair was held on
Columbia's downtown streets, flooding the area each evening with thousands of visitors enjoying the restaurants and retail
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Since its conception, the State Fair has not only promoted agriculture and industry, but it has also reflected the culture and mores of the state. The essence of the State Fair was captured in an editorial in The State newspaper on
October 18, 1960: "The South Carolina State Fair may mean different
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In 1869, the State
Agricultural and Mechanical Society of South Carolina was created to sponsor a state fair. Held on the pre-war state fair grounds on Elmwood Avenue on property provided by the city of Columbia, the revived State Fair not only promoted the agricultural interests of the state, but
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Located on the South
Carolina State Fairgrounds, at the north entrance, is the "Rocket". This "Rocket" is a Jupiter intermediate range ballistic missile, designed by Dr. Wernher von Braun and built by Chrysler. Its name is Columbia, and it was given to the city in the early 1960s by the U.S. Air
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played there for the relocated 2019 Rosewood
Crawfish Festival. The South Carolina State Fair ended its Grand Stand entertainment after 2018. Starting in 2019, in the place of the Grand Stand is a Circus Tent that offers three free circus shows each day of the fair. The South Carolina State Fair
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In many ways the South
Carolina State Fair is a typical state fair, but it also has had its unique characteristics. While it is the official state fair, it is not connected in any way with the state government but is a private non-profit organization with a self-perpetuating governing board. The
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As early as the 1720s, agricultural fairs held in the South
Carolina lowcountry were the forerunners of today's South Carolina State Fair. During the early nineteenth century, local and regional agricultural societies sponsored fairs featuring competitive events with prizes for the best crops,
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Most state fairs did not operate every year during World War II, but the South
Carolina State Fair was open every year during the war. From 1909 to 1969 the week following the South Carolina State Fair the fairgrounds were used by the Colored State Fair Association to host a state fair for the
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things to different people… In a very real sense it is the opportunity to take stock within our state as to where we stand in agriculture and industry, in science and art and history. It is foremost the reflection of our educational values and where we put our faith."
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Force. In 1969, the "Rocket" was erected at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds at a cost of $ 10,000. Through the years, the landmark has become a popular meeting place for guests, which has resulted in the popular phrase, "Meet me at the Rocket!"
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the South Carolina State Fair scheduled for October 14–25, 2020 was replaced by a free drive-though only event held on October, 20–21. In 2021, the fair returned to the more traditional experience.
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livestock and homemaking skills. In 1839, the State Agricultural Society was organized to establish a statewide fair, and state fairs were held in Columbia from 1841 to 1845 and again from 1856 to 1861.
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mission of the non-profit is to help educate the youth of South Carolina. The South Carolina State Fair has awarded more than $ 4 million in scholarships since 1997.
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caters rides, food, and games for the fair. The fair is South Carolina's largest recurring event, attracting over 400,000 fairgoers annually.
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now features free nightly concerts at its Pepsi Place Stage showcasing local and regional artists.
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Meet Me at the Rocket: A History of the South Carolina State Fair Written by Rodger E. Stroup
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and operated by the State Agricultural and Mechanical Society of South Carolina.
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The most recent South Carolina State Fair was October 11–22, 2023.
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Bands and singers that have played in the Grandstand include
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577:. Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism
545:"South Carolina State Fair was a special kind of success"
417:(from Oconee County) in '13, British-American band
56:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
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637:Tourist attractions in Columbia, South Carolina
16:State fair held in Columbia, South Carolina
433:(from Spartanburg) in 2014, Charleston's
163:12 days (starting date varies in October)
116:Learn how and when to remove this message
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251:.scstatefair
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48:Please help
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632:State fairs
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423:Corey Smith
403:Boyz II Men
375:Eric Church
343:Josh Turner
207: /
183:Coordinates
168:Location(s)
621:Categories
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451:Aloe Blacc
367:David Cook
331:Beach Boys
267:state fair
228:Attendance
195:81°01′19″W
192:33°58′41″N
154:State fair
76:newspapers
519:"History"
441:in 2014,
439:MC Hammer
427:Lee Brice
419:Foreigner
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