Ticket to the Past: The Past 25 Years of the Missouri State Fair

The Fair in Wartime

Patriotism was stressed during the World War I years. Historical pageants shared the stage with battle reenactments complete with fireworks simulating enemy fire. Souvenirs, premium lists, and posters all urged duty paired with pleasure. “Red Cross/Patriotic Day” was proclaimed; a special one day appearance of a military biplane encouraged attendance. A percentage of the proceeds were donated to that worthy cause.

The Fair proclaimed 1918 “War Service Year in Missouri,” and showcased “The World At War,” a pageant recreating an urban battle zone and dramatizing the plight of American soldiers. The centerpiece of the 1919 Victory State Fair was an awesome array of war machines--tanks, airplanes, machine guns, anti-aircraft guns, torpedoes, grenades, mines, and armored automobiles, some of them captured from Germany.