SCENES FROM THE FAIR: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 AN ‘A’ IN APPLES

$25.00

Description

Illustration by Nuri Ducassi, 18×24

This poster, which is part of a 12-poster series, is an homage to “the North Star state’s great display of the products of the earth and air, the outpouring of the horn of plenty into the lap of Minnesota’s loyal people,” as the Minneapolis Tribune wrote in 1896.

Just as the early apple varieties are harvested in Minnesota, the State Fair opens and the lines form in the Agriculture Horticulture Building for apple freezies, apple pastries, apple cider and plain, crisp, juicy apples. Our state fruit, the Honeycrisp, has become a worldwide favorite, one of the many varieties developed by the University of Minnesota apple breeding program. More than 100 winter-hardy types are now grown here, from the Wealthy, named in the 1860s after pioneering grower Peter Gideon’s wife, to the U’s SweeTango, a cross between the Honeycrisp and the Zestar. Since we’re such an appleful state, it’s surprising to learn that back in Gideon’s day, there was serious skepticism about fruit production in our vigorous climate. An agricultural society exhibit in 1868 featured grains, vegetables, needlework (oddly) and dozens of apple varieties, with a newspaper report addressing these naysayers: “An examination of the fruit ought certainly to silence the croakers who assert that ‘apples cannot be grown in Minnesota.’ ”

Each poster is printed on-demand on heavy quality photo paper. Posters will arrive in 10-14 days.