Eastern Idaho State Fair

The Eastern Idaho State Fair is an American state fair held annually in Blackfoot, Idaho. It is one of two annual state fairs in Idaho; the other is the Western Idaho Fair, which is held in Boise, the state capital.

In 1902 some cattle ranchers had purchased some land in hopes of putting on a . The show was given the name "Southeastern Idaho Fair".

When financial hardships hit the fair in 1918, it was suspended until 1920. The state legislators passed a Fair District Bill in 1925. The fair started out as a district fair with livestock and entertainment. After being challenged by the Utah State Fair, the officials decided to change the name of the event from "Eastern Idaho Fair" to "Eastern Idaho State Fair". In 1925, the fair ran for four days.

The fair was shut down in July 1942, after the United States entered World War II, and the buildings at the fairground were used for storage of surplus. On December 10, a fire destroyed the commercial buildings consuming potatoes and coal.

In 1942, the Fair housed some 500 Italian prisoners, who were ordered to dig sugar beets and potatoes. Operations have continued since 1944.

The Native Americans of Fort Hall have also influenced the Eastern Idaho State Fair: an Indian Relay Race has been held throughout the fair's history.

The state fair has been used to promote local agriculture throughout its history, with area farmers displaying their produce and livestock to the public.

Today, the state fair lasts eight days. In 2009, the fair had an attendance of over 240,000 people. The gates to the fairgrounds open on Labor Day weekend, the first week in September.

One of the events held at the opening of the fair is the annual parade held in Blackfoot. The parade starts at the south end of Shilling Avenue and makes its way to the north end. Several local clubs and organizations, as well as representatives from local high schools, police department, fire department, businesses and dance teams, participate in the line of the parade. The parade is escorted by the local police department and fire department, sounding their horns and sirens. Local high schools, cheerleading squads, student council, Junior Miss winners, dance team and some clubs have their own floats. The people on these floats cheer, throw candy, and promote the fair. Businesses around town are in the parade with music, candy, and brochures advertising their business. The dance teams advertise their team, but and entertain the crowd by doing a dance while walking down the road.

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