The Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition began in 1952 as a four-day event in late January at Camp Tequesta, at U.S. 1 and North Kendall Drive, where it was touted as “an old-fashioned country fair.” Folks came to show off their best steer or batch of homegrown tomatoes, and while there were arts and crafts exhibits and scrumptious foods, mom-and-pop concession stands were the norm. The fair moved to West Kendall in 1961, then found a permanent home at its current location at Southwest 112th Avenue and Coral Way in 1972.

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3/14/1985, Pete Cross/Miami Herald Staff-- Youth Fair workers get in a free ride at the fair before it opens at 4 pm today.

3/19/1989, Miami Herald Staff-- Youth Fair show.

2/8/1990, Marice Cohn/Miami Herald Staff-- 10th grader Ana Varele of Notre Dame Academy and her science fair project at Dade County Youth Fair. She studied the effects of screaming at plants for one hour a day for 5 days. She screamed at 'A' plants, at 'B' Plants she talked softy and 'C' plants were controlled. All plants came from same parent and at end of 5th day the 'A' group had lost all leaves.

1988, Miami Herald Staff-- The Olympic Spirit Aquacade

1988, Miami Herald Staff-- Youth Fair thrill rides.

3/18/1991, Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald Staff-- Battle Of the Brains Youth Fair Semi Finals Winners (left to right): Jessica Alter (13), Erick Munoz (14) and Bobby Man (14).

2/28/1988, Raul Rubiera/Miami Herald Staff-- Ralph Ide keeps an eye on his daughter Jessica,8, as she walks through the rotating barrel.

3/19/1990, Patrick Farrell/Miami Herald Staff-- 13 yr. old Wilfredo Galiz of Ruben Dario Middle School on his way to doing 15 pull-ups at Tropical park during the Physical Fitness Competition.

4/4/1989, Raul Rubiera/Miami Herald Staff-- John Copping, the man in charge of the Double Loop ride at the Fair, climbs to the top to loosen bolts in order to beging the disarming of the ride.

2/28/1988, Raul Rubiera/Miami Herald Staff-- Late afternoon at the Fair.

1968, Miami Herald Staff-- Two and Moo. Joseph Degner of North Dade shows awed fan Robin Underwood, 2, of Fort Myers how to milk a cow. The cow simply wonders about the whole situation. The whole situation is at the 16th annual Dade County Youth Fair, being held at the fair-grounds on N. Kendall Dr. The fair opened Tuesday and runs through Sunday. It is free to all children.

3/10/1951, John Walther/Miami Herald Staff-- Sonya Harrison with her prize winning biscuits. A member of the 411 club at Coral Cables Sr. High.

1/24/1967, Albert Coya/Miami Herald Staff-- Dade Youth Fair. Terry Dial and Gail Hamilton.

1/24/1967, Albert Coya/Miami Herald Staff-- Dade Youth Fair. Jill Geyer, 3, with one of the cows.

1/24/1968, Bob East/Miami Herald Staff-- He's not getting a free ride at the youth fair---just checking the gears before opening the highest ride on the grounds.

3/16/1979, Miami Herald Staff-- Youth Fair thrill rides.

1/26/1955, Steve Wever/Miami Herald Staff-- 30 months-old Claf,Mary, is Clyde Lee Nothy's, 12, entry in the Youth Fair Exhibits today.

1/22/1968, Joe Schuppe/Miami Herald Staff-- Margaret Rolando models jacket and dress.

Undated, James Mahaffee/Miami Herald Staff-- Dade CountyYouth Fair.

1/24/1967, Albert Coya/Miami Herald Staff-- Dade Youth Fair. Josephine Williams from Mays High School.

1/24/1963, John Pineda/Miami Herald Staff-- Youth Fair

1/26/1963, Miami Herald Staff-- Youth Fair games. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Graham guessed wrong on this occassion and had to give back one gift. Little girl is mary Jean Simmons, 4.

1/7/1954, Stan Wayman/Miami Herald Staff-- Marsha Palmer, 14; and Louis Mertens, 15

Undated, Miami Herald Staff: Youth Fair rides.

4/4/1982, John Drummings/Miami Herald Staff-- Bryan St. Germain raises orchids.

1/25/1979, Miami Herald Staff: Kenny Suess ,9th grader at North Miami Jr. High, with his science fair project

3/3/1974, Dave Didio/Miami Herald Staff: Youth Fair Dog Show Division winner.

3/5/1975, Mike O' Bryon/Miami Herald Staff: Youth Fair thrill rides.

3/10/1973, W.O. Minor Jr./Miami Herald Staff: Electronic palm reader at the Youth Fair.

3/6/1975, Mike O' Bryon/Miami Herald Staff: Walking home in the rain.

3/23/1980, Miami Herald Staff: Barry Freedman selling T- Shirts.

3/20/1981, Miami Herald Staff: Whac-A-Mole at the Youth Fair.

1/7/1970, John Walther/Miami Herald Staff: Allison Waddell with Johann, long hair dachshund, and Lisa Waddell with Kosho, a Japanese Akita.

1/22/1971, Joe Schuppe/Miami Herald Staff: Milking contest at Dade Youth Fair.

3/26/1977, Miami Herald Staff: Youth Fair rides.

Undated, Viani Navarrete/Miami Herald Staff: Crystal Wilson poses next to her interpretation of "Roots". The paper mache sculpture shows a man holding up a baby. This work was exhibited at the Youth Fair.

3/23/1972, John Pineda/Miami Herald Staff: Robert Hortan,8, eating cotton candy.

1/24/1970, Jeff Joffe/Miami Herald Staff: Billy Burns,5, tangling with a pony at the horse show.

1/22/1968, Joe Schuppe/Miami Herald Staff: Carolyn Spencer, Mays High School Senior, sports matching pants and tunic top.

3/28/1976, Battle Vaughan/Miami Herald Staff: Marionette Show at Youth Fair.

1/25/1969, Battle Vaughan/Miami herald Staff: Youth Fair thrill rides.

1/18/1966, C.A. Mitchell/Miami Herald Staff: King, George Mekras, and Queen, Linda Rocawich, feed cotton candy to a giant steer.

3/18/1982, Albert Coya/Miami Herald Staff: This was the first time Erin Reiter, 7, hugged a rabbit.

3/10/1973, Mike O' Bryon/Miami Herald Staff: Grand Champion of the Clothing/ Fashion contest, Constance Heide.

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