Susan Milteer has a lot of memories from her time working in the Publicity Office at the Minnesota State Fair in the 60s. She and her husband, Richard, started supporting the Minnesota State Fair Foundation in 2019 as Friends of the Fair in honor of all of these happy memories.
What do you love about the Minnesota State Fair?
What I’ve always enjoyed about the fair was that it was always a joyful place to be. It is where people come and they don’t quibble about anything, they are happy to be at the fair. And I always saw that, and I feel the same way.
There isn’t anything about any of the areas of the fair that I don’t like! We like walking around and looking at everything, every corner of the fair. You can go see anything you want; you can go to Creative Activities where there’s some beautiful handiwork done or there’s some beautiful jams and jellies, or come out late in the afternoon and go to the Grandstand. There is such a variety of activity and interests for people.
It’s exciting to see the improvements over the years with the new areas that have opened up and the many updates, and yet much of the fair has remained the same.
Do you have any traditions that you have when you come to the fair?
Well, let’s see, because my husband was in the floral business, we, of course, go to the Ag Hort building. This past year, he judged the flower competition. I’ve always loved going over to that building and see the center floral display.
I was sitting there while he was doing some of his judging work. And I saw such a broad audience of people coming through, looking at the floral displays. They were all ages, from all walks of life, all backgrounds. Some would stop and ask Richard a question about a floral piece. I really enjoyed that and I think it’s important to continue that.
I entered my needle work in Creative Activities on several occasions and I won some blue ribbons. I don’t exhibit anymore with my needlework, but it’s always lovely to walk through and see what others have done.
Your first gift to support the Minnesota State Fair Foundation was in 2019, as a Friend of the Fair, what prompted you to give?
Well, it was time. I just feel that the fair is such a happy place and every little bit that anybody can give, can help contribute to that and sustain all the good things that the fair does. It just makes sense to support it every year.
You’ve also included the Foundation in your estate plans. How did you make that decision?
My husband and I discussed our future and our resources and I felt it was eminently important for me to support the fair in some way, because the fair was so good to me. I was 15, 16 when I started working there and I was there for all those years after, and I thought, “this would be a wonderful way to support this fabulous institution.”
To me, the fair has always been well run, well operated, and seeks to provide wonderful memory making experiences for people and I want that to continue for the future.
Richard and I hope that with help from folks like us the Foundation will continue to grow, flourish and offer the special services and opportunities for fair visitors to enhance their experiences. The Fair is a legacy in our lives and we are honored to support it.
You volunteered for the first time with the Foundation at the 2021 fair. What was your experience like?
I just loved it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I will do it again in a heartbeat.
I’m a people-person and loved talking with the people who stopped by the Friends of the Fair tent. So many different interests at the fair and so many stories.
What do you think other people should know about giving to the Fair through the Foundation?
Just don’t overthink it. There’s no reason not to support the fair through the Foundation. The fair is for everybody- whether you’re there for 10 days or you’re there for an afternoon, it brings a certain sense of escape from what might be happening outside those gates. It brings a sense of joy.
So why wouldn’t you want to support it?
And the Foundation gives people so many ways to give back to the fair.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell me or the readers of this story?
Knowing that you’re supporting the future of the fair through the Foundation is just such a good thing. It’s a good thing to go to the fair. It’s a good thing to support the vendors. And it’s a good thing too, to give your financial support if you can.