Miami-Dade County

What was the county fair like 50 years ago in Miami? See it in the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s

Do you remember the county fair of your youth?

The sky-ride over the midway. The fried elephant ears. The prize-winning cows.

In some ways, fairs have changed. The food and rides are ever more adventurous. And where did most of the blue-ribbon cows go?

In other ways, the fair is still the same: school projects, carnival games, unhealthy food.

Let’s take a look back at the Miami-Dade County Youth Fair of earlier years: the ‘60s through the ‘80s.

Do you recognize anything?

1965

A fair exhibit in 1965.
A fair exhibit in 1965.

1966

King George Mekras, and Queen Linda Rocawich, feed cotton candy to a giant steer in 1966.
King George Mekras, and Queen Linda Rocawich, feed cotton candy to a giant steer in 1966. C.A. Mitchell Miami Herald File

1967

Josephine Williams,from Mays High School in 1967.
Josephine Williams,from Mays High School in 1967. Albert Coya Miami Herald File
A 3-year-old girl and a cow in 1967.
A 3-year-old girl and a cow in 1967. Albert Coya Miami Herald File

1968

All dressed up for tickets in 1968.
All dressed up for tickets in 1968. Joe Schuppe Miami Herald File

1969

This is how a calf bulldogs a man in three easy steps. Take a stance and bear with it while the man. in this case C.W. Lehen, applies a head lock with the idea of throwing the claf. But up comes the calf’s neck and look who goes thrown. The Calf, names Gomer, is at the Dade County Fair in 1969.
This is how a calf bulldogs a man in three easy steps. Take a stance and bear with it while the man. in this case C.W. Lehen, applies a head lock with the idea of throwing the claf. But up comes the calf’s neck and look who goes thrown. The Calf, names Gomer, is at the Dade County Fair in 1969. AP File

1973

Electronic palm reader at the Youth Fair i 1973.
Electronic palm reader at the Youth Fair i 1973. W.O. Minor Jr. Miami Herald Staff

1975

Youth Fair thrill rides in 1975.
Youth Fair thrill rides in 1975. Mike O' Bryon Miami Herald File

1977

Youth Fair rides. in 1977.
Youth Fair rides. in 1977. Miami Herald File

1979

A Youth Fair thrill ride in 1979.
A Youth Fair thrill ride in 1979.

1988

The giant Ferris wheel comes down at the fair in 1988.
The giant Ferris wheel comes down at the fair in 1988. Raul Rubiera Miami Herald File
The rotating barrel in 1988.
The rotating barrel in 1988. Raul Rubiera Miami Herald File
Youth Fair midway in 1988.
Youth Fair midway in 1988.
The Olympic Spirit Aquacade
The Olympic Spirit Aquacade
***** Entertainment at the fair in 1988.
***** Entertainment at the fair in 1988.

1992

The Doople Looping ride in 1992.
The Doople Looping ride in 1992. Raul Rubiera Miami Herald Staff

1996

A water gun game in 1996.
A water gun game in 1996. Raul Rubiera Miami Herald Staff

This story was originally published December 20, 2021 at 6:00 AM.

Profile Image of Jeff Kleinman
Jeff Kleinman
Miami Herald
305-376-3561
Consumer Team Editor Jeff Kleinman oversees coverage for health, shopping, real estate, tourism and recalls/scams/fraud.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER