Exploring the Midwest with Jody Halsted

Plan your fall escape to an Ohio treehouse! Kevin Mooney shares the vision that became The Mohicans Treehouse Resort and Wedding Venue in central Ohio's Amish Country.

Discover Wisconsin's #1 fruit! Explore the Cranberry Highway in Wisconsin with Meredith Kleker, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Rapids Area CVB.

You won't find any chain shops on the Butler County Donut Trail in Ohio! Tips for tackling this sweet food trail from Tracy Kocher, one of the creators of the Butler County Donut Trail and Vice President of the Butler County Visitors Bureau.

The B-Line in Kentucky - where B means bourbon. Learn more about bourbon, the 'sipping points' along the trail & activities in Northern Kentucky with guest Julie Kirkpatrick, creator of 'the B-Line', and president of Meet NKY.

There are over 50 establishments on the Kansas City Kansas Taco Trail - and they aren't all traditional restaurants! My guest Alan Carr is Executive Director at Visit Kansas City Kansas and is THE local guide to the Taco Trail in Kansas City, Kansas.

Plus Kansas City, Kansas travel tips!

There are 21 food trails in Indiana. My guests Lindsey Skeen, Marketing and Media Director at the Indiana Foodways Alliance and Amy Howell, Director of Communications for Visit Indiana offer tips to plan your foodie adventure with Indiana Foodways Alliance + get the Indiana Culinary Trails Passport.

Wrapping up 'State Fair Season' with the final state fair in the Midwest.Kansas State Fair begins after Labor Day - on September 10 in 2021- and runs for 10 days.

My guest Ed Burger, Interim General manager for the Kansas State Fair, is going to share the history and highlights of the Kansas State Fair - and hopefully a few 'insider tips' to help you make the most of your visit!

Bottle feeding calf

The Kansas State Fair

The Kansas State Fair takes place in Hutchinson, near the center of the state. It has been running since 1913, only skipping one year (2020). The Kansas State Fair begins the Friday after Labor Day and lasts for 10 days.

Pride of Kansas exhibit

Famous Features of the Kansas State Fair

Everyone has their own 'fair favorites'. On the west side of the fairgrounds you'll find livestock and agriculture. The north side of the fair is where you'll find the displays and judging on everything from cooking to quilts. And throughout the grounds you'll find vendors and commercial displays of all types.

Fair Food

Leave your diet at the gate.

Church groups and service clubs have food booths that have become a tradition. Of course you can get your ProntoPup (corn dog) and the Dairy Association has a popular ice cream stand in the Grandstand.

And you'll find plenty of foods on a stick.

Entertainment at the Kansas State Fair

Midway at night

The fair kicks off with 'dirt events' - bull riding, motorcross, and monster trucks - before musical entertainment begins. You'll find a mix of entertainers in the Grandstand, as well as free stages where you can find a variety of acts.

Kansas' Largest Classroom

The Kansas State Fair is a learning environment. See newborn animals in the birthing center, explore the dairy parlor, examine butterflies and bugs in the pollinator garden, and discover more in the new Education Center.

Tips for Attending the Kansas State Fair

$4 admission after 4 on Tuesday and Thursday.

Enjoy special deals at food vendors on 'Tasting Tuesday'.

'Shop til your drop' on Wednesday with vendor specials.

Thursday evening pub crawl to try Kansas craft brewers.

The Kansas State Fair has ample free parking and you'll also find shuttles to bring you to the fairgrounds. Get all the information, as well as deals & discounts at KansasStateFair.com

The Indiana State Fair has over 100 FREE activities plus some great ways to save money while you are there! Indiana State Fair tips from Sharon Smith, Director of Communications for the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center.

I am so excited to kick off 'State Fair Season' with the country's most famous state fair!

As the inspiration for the novel “State Fair” by Phil Strong, three motion pictures, a smash Broadway musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein, and loads of national accolades, the Iowa State Fair has a lot to recommend it.

My guest Mindy Williamson is Marketing Director for the Iowa State Fair.

Perhaps the quirkiest museum ever with the most tongue-twisting name is the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things, housed in the Roadside Sideshow Expo in Lucas, Kansas.

Erika Nelson is the artist and creator of this once-traveling but now permanent exhibit.