Visitors to Sacramento's Central Library can step right up to see a collection of memorabilia from the California State Fair.
The trove of posters, postcards and other mementos from the fair's 155-year history in the capital is on display on the second floor of the library at 828 I St.
Most had been in storage for many years at the library before they went on public view last week to coincide with this year's State Fair at Cal Expo, library officials said Tuesday.
"This material belongs to the people of Sacramento, and it's our duty and pleasure to make it available to our patrons," said Tom Tolley, technician for the Sacramento Room, where most of the items are showcased.
The majority of items are made of paper – including admission tickets, annual programs, photos, and posters, such as the one hailing the 86th annual fair in 1941:
"America's largest 11-day state fair … World's greatest display of agriculture … Premiere horse show of the West … Internationally Famous Wines … Funway, Fireworks, Pageantry."
The 25-inch-wide poster, with a collage of photos of people and animals at the fair, is heavy on hyperbole.
Posters from other eras indicate the State Fair has kept up with the times.
One from the hippie era, for instance, was done in psychedelic style, just like the colorful posters then promoting rock shows at San Francisco's legendary Fillmore West.
Also on display is a 45-rpm promotional record with "The Theme Song of the California State Fair '73." Its chorus included the words:
"Come to State Fair,
"It's all right there,
"California Life as it should be,
"Come to State Fair,
"Fun everywhere,
"It's quite a sight to see."
Library officials said the exhibit was hastily put together.
The process began two weeks ago, when a display was ending in the Sacramento Room, the "atmosphere-controlled" repository for special collections, Sacramento Room Librarian Clare Ellis said.
The next display wasn't scheduled until October, so a temporary show was needed to fill the void, she said.
That's when a light went on in Tolley's head.
"The State Fair is about to start," he told Ellis, "and we have so much wonderful State Fair material."
Some items were purchased by the library at special sales or during visits by staff to the fair. Other materials were donated.
Tolley, who has attended the State Fair since the mid-1960s, said he was delighted to help organize it.
Call The Bee's Edgar Sanchez, (916) 321-1088.
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