160 YEARS OF THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR

Jerry Hammer, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Minnesota State Fair, was our guest speaker on May 13th.  Jerry gave us a very interesting presentation on the 160 year history of the State Fair and how it has evolved into one of the largest and most successful events in the world.  Jerry started working at the Fair while in high school as a summer staffer  and has risen through the ranks.  He is currently serving his 19th year as the State Fair General Manager.  He and his wife, Debby, are both life-long residents of St. Paul's Como Park neighborhood which is in the "shadow" of the fairgrounds.  Shown below are Eldon Tessman, Jerry,  Addie Tessman and Tom Hokr.