Twenty days from today, America’s families and loved ones will be seated together for a Thanksgiving feast, an American tradition that saw its origin 400 years in 1621. The first Thanksgiving dinner was held near Plymouth Rock where English settlers stepped off the Mayflower to establish permanent residency in what was then called the New World, at modern day Plymouth, Massachusetts.
On a 1988 visit to Plymouth, I could not imagine the hardship the Pilgrims endured, but a year later had sufficient reason to think they had made the right decision and paused to say thanks.
We have much to be thankful for during the upcoming holiday season. The Kansas State Fair is wrapping up another great year. Intermittent showers failed to dampen the spirit of fairgoers and more than 300,000 attended the 10-day event. And, the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation (KFF) efforts to market the 1861 Club as a venue for events achieved success exceeding expectations.
Plans are underway to open a portion of the Bison Building for next year’s Fair. Also, the KFF is drawing a blueprint to rebuild the structure immediately north of Capper Cooperative Park for marketing t-shirts, caps, and fair memorabilia which will be completed in time for opening day of the 2026 Fair.
No one associated with the Kansas State Fair is resting on one’s laurels. Improvements and progress are a constant on the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
With two months remaining in 2025, we invite fair supporters to consider a legacy gift of any size to the KFF. We must keep our eye to the future of the Kansas State Fair. With 280 acres of grounds and 55 buildings on the fairgrounds, our needs are great and always will be.
In closing and back to the topic of Thanksgiving, I came across a recipe for apple pie from an old Kansas State Fair cookbook which was submitted by Julie Baldwin of McPherson. Since apple is one of my two favorite pies, cherry being the other, I thought readers might consider this for their Thanksgiving dinner menu. It reads very tasty.
Apple Pie Recipe:
Pastry Instructions
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
2/3 cup shortening
7 Tbsp cold water
Sift flour and salt together. Cut in shortening. Sprinkle cold water over mixture. Toss lightly with fork till mixed. Form into 2 balls. Flatten each on lightly floured board. Roll 1/8 inch thick.
Filling Instructions
1 quart tart apples, pared, cored, and sliced
3/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp flour
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Dash salt
Dash ground nutmeg
2 Tbsp butter
Combine sugar, flour, spices, and salt. Mix with sliced apples. Line pie plate with pastry, fill with apple mixture, and dot with butter. Adjust the top crust; fold under and flute edges. Cut slits for steam. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 400° for 50 minutes.
Julie Baldwin, McPherson, KS
Best wishes for a happy and joyous Thanksgiving.
-Richard Shank
Kansas State Fair Ambassador
Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation Board Member
About the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation
The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation (KFF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Founded in 2003, KFF’s mission is to further the renovation, construction, preservation and beautification of the Kansas State Fairgrounds with a vision of inspiring excellence and understanding of Kansas agriculture, industry and culture through the Kansas State Fair, activities, educational programs and opportunities. The Foundation exists to enrich the unforgettable memories and traditions people experience only at the Kansas State Fair and at the 500+ events on the Fairgrounds year-round.
