Greater Gulf State Fair

From Greater Gulf State Fair Website:

Greater Gulf State Fair
October 27 - November 5, 2017
The Grounds - Mobile, AL 36608

The Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds has a storied past beginning in 1955 when a group of members of the Mobile Junior Chamber of Commerce, now known as the Mobile Jaycees, incorporated the Greater Gulf State Fair. For years Mobile had an annual agricultural fair known as the Gulf Coast Fair but it had ceased to exist years before. The Mobile Jaycees began the Greater Gulf State Fair project with the stated purpose: To promote the civic welfare and betterment of Mobile County, South Alabama, Northwest Florida and Southeast Mississippi, which area collectively is known as the Greater Gulf State, through the promotion and operation of a Greater Gulf State Fair or other like endeavors; to promote, encourage, foster, stimulate and maintain interest in agriculture, labor, industry, recreation, civic affairs, education, scientific research, business, commerce, trade-both foreign and domestic and governmental functions or any other civic function or interest by the exhibition method or otherwise; and to cooperate with other citizens and groups interested in the same or similar objects and purposes.

The Mobile Jaycees also serves as the support body for the Mobile Azalea Trail and the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo. Historically, it had also founded Mobiles first airport, the Azalea Trail Run, and assisted in the creation of the Americas Junior Miss Program. The Greater Gulf State Fair gained its name in due to a marketing campaign by the Mobile Chamber of Commerce. At the time of the fairs formation, the Mobile Chamber was marketing Lower Alabama, Lower Mississippi, and the Panhandle of Florida as The Greater Gulf State. The Jaycees agreed to work in concert with the Mobile Chamber to form an event for the residents of The Greater Gulf State, hence the name, The Greater Gulf State Fair.