Exploring the past, present and future of the Tennessee State Fair

The Tennessee State Fair has taken place for over a century, with only a couple of interruptions: WWII and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been lots of changes over the years, from a huge fire in the 1960s, to the addition of car shows, to the recent move from the Nashville fairgrounds out to Lebanon.

In this show, we’ll dive into the past and present of the fair with a historian and the fair’s current executive director. Then, we’ll hear from a couple farmers about what the fair means to them, and how it contributes to agricultural education in our communities.

But first, we’re joined by WPLN’s senior healthcare reporter for an update on Tennessee’s trigger ban on abortion.

Guests: 

• Blake Farmer, WPLN senior healthcare reporter

• Paige Pfleger, WPLN criminal justice reporter

• Kelley Sirko, Metro Archives librarian

• Helen Mcpeak, Executive Director of the Tennessee State Fair

• Cynthia Capers, owner of Heniscity Farm

• John C. Ricketts, farmer and Professor of Agricultural & Extension Education at Tennessee State University