Man born at state fair has birth certificate to prove it

Minnesotans start their state fair traditions early in life. No one sooner than Ed Mosiman.

"My mom was in the beer garden and she felt a little queasy," reveals Ed about his then very pregnant mother.

Wait a minute. A pregnant woman in the beer garden? "It was 1954," laughs Ed. "And boom, there I was."

Actually Ed's mom was moved just before he was born, from the beer garden to home of the state fair superintendent, who happened to be Ed's grandpa.

A doctor was located in the state fair campgrounds. "He came over and helped with the delivery and used a shoe lace to tie the umbilical cord," says Ed.

These days Ed travels from his home in St. Anna to stay in that same state fair campgrounds. As you might imagine he's told the story of his beginnings a time or two.

For doubters, he has the proof. "This is my birth certificate. It says place of birth, 'Minnesota State Fair Grounds.'"

Though born at the fair, Ed's story starts even earlier. "My mom and dad met here at the fairgrounds." He laughs, "I was probably conceived here, I don't know."

2009 marks Ed's 56th fair. He hasn't missed one yet.

I'm serious about this," he says while removing his shirt to reveal a tattoo on his back of the state fair water tower crowned by fireworks. "This is a big deal."

Ed Mosiman: fair born and fair proud.

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