A refurbished Kansas Wheat Fountain is
returning to the State Fair.
The old favorite first debuted in the 1960s as the centerpiece
of the Kansas Wheat Commission’s fair exhibit. It consists of spout
placed upright in a large bin, with grains of wheat cascading from
the top.
Outside Kansas, the popular attraction was once used at the
National Restaurant Convention in Chicago. The U.S. Information
Agency took it to Africa in the 1970s, showing it at fairs in
countries such as Tanzania, where Kansas Wheat Commission marketing
director Aaron Harries says visitors grabbed handfuls of the Kansas
grain.
The fountain was eventually retired. It was discovered it this
year in the State Fair Grandstand, and the commission refurbished
it. The fountain will be on display at the fair Sept. 9-17.