Arizona State Fair

The state fair has been an annual Arizona tradition since before Arizona was even a state. The first first fair dates all the way back to November 1994, when a bunch or early Arizonans decided to get together to compare cows and corn. Nearly every year since (the fair was suspended due to occasions including severe crop shortages, the Depression and World War II) there's been a yearly event to bring together people from across the state to enjoy food and fun and compare their best achievements. The fair takes place every fall at the Arizona State Fairgrounds, an 80-acre property purchased by the Arizona Territorial Fair Association for $9,200 in 1905. To this day the fair strives to preserve state traditions – though we're pretty sure the whole deep-fried Twinkies is a new thing.