On This Date in Minnesota History: September 3

September 3, 1904 – Believing today was Children’s Day at the state fair, an event offered in past years, and that they would be admitted free of charge, a crowd of nearly 5,000 little ones presented themselves at the entrances of the state fair grounds early this morning and clamored for admittance. They were told by officials that no provision had been made for Children’s Day this year, and from eager expectations to abject despair and disappointment, the feelings of the some 5,000 youngsters were changed in a trice.

For a few minutes every gate and turnstile leading to the fair grounds was blocked by a sorrowful mob of youngsters who seemed at a loss to know what to do. It was a trying situation for the guards and gatekeepers, and Society Secretary Randall was immediately called about the situation. The obvious solution was to allow the children to enter the grounds, and accordingly the gates were thrown open to them.

Society President Cosgrove announced however, that hereafter this custom will be done away with.

The St. Paul Sunday Globe; “Tots Admitted Free; Five Thousand Enjoy Last Children’s Day”; Sept. 4, 1904; p. 14.

Minn. State Fair Entrance off Snelling  Ave.

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Sept. 3, 2014,
as long as acknowledgement included.