State and county fairs have a longtime agricultural history.

These fairs were organized in the United States as far back as 1841 when one of the first such gatherings was organized in Syracuse, N.Y.

Credit for the idea of the state fair is given to Elkanah Watson, a wealthy New England farmer and businessman, who showed his sheep in the public square in Pittsfield, Mass., in 1807, Time.com said.

Watson earned the title “Father of U.S. agricultural fairs” after organizing the Berkshire Agricultural Society and creating a cattle show in 1811. He helped many communities organize their own agricultural societies and fairs, according to the International Association of Fairs and Expositions reports. By the end of the 19th century, almost every state and province had agricultural fairs or exhibitions.

The first North American fair was held even earlier. That fair was held in Windsor, Nova Scotia, in 1765, and it continues to operate today, IAFE reported.

Some fair events have been continuing for many years.

Judging livestock in the U.S. dates back to the 19th century. Recipe judging is one of the oldest kind of competitions at the fairs and started in the early 1800s.

More than 3,200 fairs are held in North America today, with countless agriculture-related exhibits, demonstrations and competitions that particularly focus on educational activities for 4-H and FFA members, IAFE said.

Exhibitors also can enter in open class categories.

Ribbons, plaques and trophies are awarded in many categories ranging from livestock, jams, jellies and pickles to quilts, baked goods and photography.

Cotton candy, hotdogs, corndogs, funnel cakes and other fair food, competitions, musical and performing entertainment, commercial exhibits and carnival rides are among the extensive activities found at fairs today.

The first fair was held in Minot in the early 1920s, but was not officially approved by the North Dakota Legislature as the state’s fair until 1966. Minot’s North Dakota State Fair is the largest event held in the state.

More than 300,000 people attend the State Fair, said Beth Ryan, marketing director.