After The Fair: The Legacy of the 1964-65 NY World's Fair

Travel back in time to 1964-65 and see the spectacle of the New York World's Fair. Then, see how the fair is still with us today, 50 years later, in pop culture, technology, and cultural understanding.
Filmmaker Ryan Ritchey combines interviews with the creators of the fair and those it influenced, with archival footage to create a unique, and new look at the legacy of the fair.
You'll hear from Disney Imagineers Rolly Crump, Bob Gurr, and Marty Sklar about the importance of the fair to Walt Disney and the Disney Company. Directors Jon Favreau and Barry Sonnenfeld weigh in on the importance of the fair in pop culture, and how it continues to influence our lives today. Visual effects guru Doug Drexler tells of the connections between the fair and the visual design of Star Trek. And you'll hear from people who attended the fair, and those who worked on some of the most memorable attractions. #worldsfair #newyork #documentary #epcot #disney #imagineering

[@julieclayton4675]

As a little girl, living in England in 1964, I have fond memories of seeing The World's Fair 64/65 through a View-Master. My Grandparents visited the fair with their Daughter, who had married a New Jersey chap after WW2.They brought back a View-Master and reels , it was just so magical for seven year old me to see this wonderful spectacle. Thank you for bringing The World Fair 64/65 back to life.

[@stj971]

👍 I was there!

[@robertcarli5803]

​@@stj971so her dad was that New Jersey chap😂

[@MacDaddyRico]

I was five years old in 1964, and remember going to the Fair... As an adult I collected a variety of artifacts, one subject being this fair... When I discovered the Queens Museum (of Art)'s plans for renovation of the old skating rink, I called the curator and offered my entire NYWF collection for acquisition...It joins others in their Visible Storage exhibit...

[@trainluvr]

This should be aired on PBS. Many related topics on my channel. I was 4 to 5 years old at the time, living on Franklin Avenue, Flushing, and my earliest memories of life were made at the fair!

[@petergunn9149]

Hey I live on Colden street in Flushing my parents would tell me about the World fair how great it was they moved her in 60👍 Good Old days😁

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you for the kind words! We hope to have more videos soon. Stay tuned!

[@ailleananaithnid2566]

I visited the Fair often as a little girl of 5 or 6. The World’s Fair was a short 30 minute bus ride away. That meant we went about once/month. I was obsessed with the Sinclair Pavilion! (Little girls weren’t encouraged to follow careers like paleontology in the ‘60’s or else I would have taken a very different career path. 😢) The Fair just closed down & faded from history. A lot of the kids who attended have vivid memories of their experiences there. I got one of those plastic souvenir dinosaurs!!! (I still remember exactly how the plastic smelled!)

[@georgesealy4706]

Some little things or special moments create an indelible image. It's almost as though you can reach right back in time at that instant. I know what you mean about the plastic dinos.

[@suevanwinkle7202]

I worked at the World's Fair both seasons. This film brought back so many wonderful memories; I loved the movie! Congratulations on putting together all this great information!

[@ParksandExpos]

Sue, I really appreciate it! We hope to add more videos soon, so you might want to subscribe (free!) to not miss them. Thanks again!

[@josephambrose2852]

Please post positive proof pronto. Pics preferred

[@jimhayd7857]

My friends and I went to the fair as children several times a week in 1964 and 65. We went without adults . It was a magical time and place . We boarded the 4 train in the Bronx morning and we didn’t return until night. This movie is outstanding. Thank you.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thanks so much for sharing your fair adventures, and the kind words!

[@billolsen4360]

Got lost in Flushing Meadows on my first driving trip from Colorado to NYC, had to do a U-turn in a driveway and there it was, The Unisphere, right in front of us.

[@jomama5186]

I was thinking born for another 5 years :( you were really lucky to be young at such a time.

[@jaburadvocacia261]

the kind of fun and memorable adventures that kids nowadays are denied.

[@ichoppabroccoli3670]

The fact that you could go without parents and behave all day then get home by curfew and maybe check in on a payphone would freak kids out now. No parent in their right mind would let's kids do that now even with a cell phone anyway. Just shows where we're at now. Kind of sad😔 I'm gonna go play with my lawn darts😋

[@loveaodai100]

Wow! There is much more actual fair content here than the title suggests. And with the vast majority of older programs about the world's fair of such poor visual quality this one really stands out! Thank you. I grew up in Flushing and was 10 and 11 years old for the fair which we attended many times. It was magical!

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you for the kind words. I hope this movie helped bring some of the fair back to life!

[@debbiemartin2026]

I grew up in Flushing too. I was 7-8.I think we only went twice. My brother was only 2 so maybe why.

[@bradpritts766]

We visited as guests of Dupont. My dad won a Dupont contest at a trade show! So at age 8 I got to see NYC and the fair! One of the highlights of my childhood.

[@ParksandExpos]

A perfect age to see the wonder of the fair!

[@deniseireland6154]

I remember as a youngster, mesmorized by the many, unique, cars of the future; which could drive by themselves! Great times and prescious, cherished, shared moments shared with my dear parents and wonderful sister! Thank you Lord! Blessings!

[@karenstrycharz1499]

I so loved this fair & have such great memories of taking “The Peter Pan Bus” with my Nana when I was only 14 yrs old, from Spfld., Massachusetts!!! How excited I was & we didn’t get to see much because lines were so very long but it was so exciting nonetheless!!! My Nana was amazing & I can us waiting in line for “IT’S A SMALL WORLD”( Disney) & how I loved that ride. Nana passed away sadly in 1978 but when I got to Disney World as an adult( two sons & a brother live in Florida, I always feel close to my Nana going on that ride! Sweet memories always come flooding back as that song, no one can ever forget, plays through that whole ride. They refurbished the ride a few yrs ago & even though I fully realize it was fully needed, the “charm” of the original ride seemed to be lost to me, as great as the newly renovated ride is! I so loved those original costumes which seemed mundane now( plain) but.... I will love that ride forever! The music plays forever in your mind( as well as memories of my beloved Nana “Winifred Roberts!”)! I just loved this fair & remember the Pepsi Exhibit & Kodak exhibit in particular plus “Cars of Tomorrow!” Ha! Seeing this I realize how much we didn’t get to see unfortunately but what an incredible fair! My girlfriend & I also went to the fair in 1967 in Montreal, Canada with a girlfriend but I will never forget this World’s Fair in New York City!.what an incredibly interesting video this is.... so very informative!!!❤️

[@ParksandExpos]

Hi Karen. My Nana was also quite fond of Small World, and there's still that connection at Disney World/land. Thank you for you kind words!

[@Jay-vr9ir]

I heard Expo 67, was the best fair ever .

[@conniethomas4753]

Xx

[@kena9763]

My family went to both NYWF and Montral Expo. I wanted to go to Vancouver Worlds fair so bad, but my wife wouldn't let me go (since we were moving), and that ended up being the very last fair.

[@barbarafogarty4802]

Ah. My Worlds Fair. I worked for Greyhound at the WF. I was a Golden Girl, information booth attendant. Loved every minute. Made lifelong friends there.

[@nicholasrabideau]

Amazing. I wish I could have seen it. I wish I could go there.. I wouldn't stay -- things are far too interesting right now.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thanks for sharing, Barbara! We're thinking about doing a series of videos recording memories of working at the fair...

[@stuartbladen7134]

Hi

[@darryljorden9177]

I was 7 when my brother, parents and I traveled from Chicago to New York to see the fair as well as that other exhibition which was the city itself. It was a wondrous place and time. The experience fueled a life long love of travel and every time I visit New York, I try to make it out to Queens and Flushing Meadow Park to reminisce.

[@ParksandExpos]

So cool! We hope to have more videos soon, so please consider subscribing to help us get seen on KZbin.

[@TarotMage]

This film was a true labor of love and an absolute joy to watch from start to finish. Thanks a million for sharing this!!!

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you!

[@chairlesnicol672]

To

[@marcellocolona4980]

I was 14 at the time. Our family went many times both years. We rode at the Ford pavilion in a Mustang. Just a month after, Mom bought a 1965 white Mustang coupe with blue interior. It was the car I learned to drive on. Great memories in a fine film. Bravo!

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you, and thanks for sharing your memories of the fair!

[@marcellocolona4980]

@@ParksandExposMy great grandmother was very religious and loved the Vatican pavilion, we took her there three times. She died a few months later. I think we literally visited every square inch over the two seasons and never missed the Belgian waffles. My grandparents attended the 1939-40 World’s Fair and enjoyed that the new fair was on the old grounds.

[@sn2601]

In 1966 or 67 my Dad took me to the grand opening of a new bank in our neighborhood in Des Moines Iowa. They had several life-size dinosaur replicas, and he bought me a model Brontosaurus which we watched being molded before the still-warm replica was delivered into my excited little hands. Thanks for reminding me of this experience and why it was possible.

[@LSTEdD1]

Although I am from Connecticut I was observing student teachers in a Queens public s hook in 2019 and I looked out the window and there was the Unisphere that I had been to in 1964, as a 12 year old. I almost cried! 😊

[@kathygoodman6159]

I was 6 to 7 years old and have a few memories from going to the fair. When I see footage from the fair it brings back even more. I really enjoyed this movie!

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you Kathy, and thanks for watching!

[@debbiemartin2026]

This was fantastic. I was 7 at the time and hardly remember much and appreciate the efforts of this documentary.

[@bryanboyd2319]

This is the best retrospective of the fair I've seen. It was so nice also to see how many pieces of the fair live on. But the best part was seeing there are so many people like me who cherish the memories and the possibilities.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thanks Bryan! Glad you enjoyed the movie!

[@robertrowland5813]

This is an excellent, well-done, almost definitive documentary about the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. Thanks for posting it!

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you Robert! Glad you liked it! I hope you'll tell others!

[@robertrowland5813]

@@ParksandExpos Watched it again today. It is still a terrific video!!

[@georgespelvin6496]

This documentary is quite a gem!

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you George!

[@bobcarlino7280]

This is an outstanding video...particularly if you attended the NY World's Fair as a youngster as I did. I'll never forget the Ford Pavilion, and had no idea that the convertibles on the moving track were sold to the public afterwards. Awesome history lesson!

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you for watching!

[@deananderson5318]

Congratulations to Ryan Ritchey and the amazing team of contributors who prepared this comprehensive document about a look back at America's vision of the future. The respectful, almost loving way the story of The Fair is told reflected the innocence of a nation where corporations were there only to educate and help humanity become better. It's notable that The Fair concluded before the first ever Super Bowl was played, making it a proving ground at the crossroads of entertainment and commercialism that today is commonplace. Special thanks for updating what happened to the various portions of the fair, though the tragedy of the Austria pavilion was a heartbreaking element. We'll always have Unisphere!

[@ailleananaithnid2566]

True! At least there was no loss of life. 🤷

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you for the kind words! It was a joy to put together. The fair was definitely of a different time…

[@scottmerrill6214]

As a child, the fair had a tremendous effect on me. Seeing this documentary, the memories came flooding back, the exhibits were so bold, exciting and interesting. Ever since, I wanted to experience new cultures, cuisine and places.

[@ParksandExpos]

I’m glad it brought back those memories!

[@DWhytePA]

Wow...many fond memories of living in NYC and taking the #7 train to Flushing to the fair in the summers of '64 and '65 when I was 9 and 10. Great time to be a kid.

[@francisphair8986]

I remember seeing the pieta on my first moving walk way. I was there quite a few times

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

I do remember that my mother absolutely wanted to see the Pieta. I also remember the Spanish Pavilion, but only because I got lost there! LoL I started following a woman who looked like my mom. Oops. Luckily I was quickly found, and then everyone was laughing at me. Yikes.

[@thomasalton1220]

A magnificent presentation of an event which I still remember from 57 years ago!

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you Thomas! I appreciate the kind words. We're going to be adding some shorts about different things that came from world's fairs, so please subscribe to check those out.

[@kwd3109]

Excellent, well written and.....fun narration. The story of the Sinclair dinosaurs was a very enjoyable segment. I laughed when at (55:19) they said "the dinosaurs were fenced in by a 3 foot high wooden rail keeping them from going on a reign of terror"!

[@RussMcClay]

I can't believe how great this documentary is! Thank you.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank YOU for watching, Russ! Please help us spread the word!

[@Darjeelingla]

I was so impressed and enchanted with the beauty of the Spanish Pavilion, and its Flamenco performances, I traveled to Spain. That trip changed my life, as I vowed to travel around the world. I have indeed traveled and lived in many, many countries, in distant regions. I am grateful for the inspiration this World Fair.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thanks for sharing how inspiring the fair was for you!

[@georgesealy4706]

I attended the NYWF in both 1964 and 1965. It was an amazing experience for a young kid like me. I was thrilled to be there. It was crowded though, and the waiting lines for many of the exhibits were long and it took quite a while to get in. I recall the Belgian waffles were $7, which seemed so expensive back in 1964. I could see the place getting a little ratty in 1965 with some of the exhibits already closed, and the buildings showing wear. I am pretty sure I had had enough after the last visit in 1965. I had no regrets looking at the fair for the last time as we headed home that night. I will never forget it.

[@craigsped]

I remember heading home at night looking at the Ford Motor Company and General Motors pavilions one last time. Never to be seen again, except in memories, and now on KZbin.

[@kerridillon3120]

I was 11 years old living in Weehawken NJ. My Grandma took me on the bus to the New York World's Fair. It was awesome!!

[@ParksandExpos]

Hi Kerri. It's wild how the memories from one day can stick with you. Thanks for watching.

[@JimHendrickson]

One of the "Pease Through Understanding" arches has stood at Rocky Point State Park (formerly Rocky Point amusement park) on Narragansett Bay in Warwick, RI for decades. The arch anchored the southern entrance to the amusement park, which closed in the mid 1990s. While the rides were auctioned off shortly thereafter, most of the rest of the amusement park was demolished in the mid 2010s before it reopened as a state park. Only a handful of structures were preserved, among them, the arch, which was freshly painted shortly after it opened as a state park.

[@kena9763]

Believe my brother backed into one of the signs on/near his prom night in Gret Eastern parking lot in West Hempstead. His first accident.

[@Peter-pv8xx]

I was five when the fair was open, we lived in NJ right across from Staten island, the Verrazano bridge opened during the fair so it made the trip easy to flushing meadow park, I still have our home movies, I wish I could go back and relive it all over again, we went several times.

[@ParksandExpos]

Hi Peter. We keep trying to come up with a way to relieve that experience of going to the fair, but no luck yet. These video memories will have to do for now. Thanks for watching.

[@LouisHansell]

I was there. At the AT&T pavilion, there were two exhibits I remember distinctly. They each were demonstrations of coming technologies, but each took very different paths. One was the video phone. You sat in one glass-enclosed space and could see the adjacent glass-enclosed space. You were supposed to pick up the videophone and see and speak to the person in the other booth via the videophone. The picture was small and grainy. Of course, there was no bandwidth at the time that would make a videophone call acceptable. The other demonstration was for touchtone phones. You sat in front of a two phones a rotary phone and a new touchtone phone. Rising above in behind the phones were two sets of red lights, going up pretty high. You were to first dial on a rotary phone the seven-digit number you knew the best, your phone number, Mom's number, whatever. Once you started dialing, the red lights started climbing the wall, in effect counting the time it took to complete dialing. Then you were to pick up the touchtone phone, and a 10-digit phone number you probably never had seen before (area codes had only started about 16 years earlier, and not every locality had an area code). When you had punched in your 10-digit number, behold! - it took much less time to dial those 10 digits than dialing your seven-digit number. BellCore knew that they needed to pre-sell this coming technology. BellCore also knew that the switching equipment of the day was only so fast, and that there was an industry that employed people who could touch numbers faster than the switching equipment could process them. They didn't want these people to go home after work and say, "Hey, that touchtone business doesn't work." Those workers were accountants. They could make their fingers do your taxes without even looking at the keyboard, so they could be a problem. Solution: make the telephone keyboard reverse (1-2-3 on the top row) than that of a calculator (7-8-9 on top row). This flip also enabled the alphabet letters to follow the ascension of he numbers. The numbers 1 and 0 didn't have letters to avoid the ambiguity with l and o, when spelling exchange names like LOcust 7-1234. Robert Moses also got empty swampland to be paved as a dividend. That World's Fair was a marvel.

[@ParksandExpos]

Hi Louis. Sorry it took me so long to reply, but thanks for sharing your story!

[@bilezmom11]

I remember that exhibit so well. Our parents brought us every other Sunday for the whole two years! I still have the soundtrack 45’s for the World’s Fair It’s a Small World in their original unsealed covers (Dad bought a few, so we could torture him by incessantly playing them while saving a couple as keepsakes). Fond memories.... Oh, our exchange was GRegory 7....

[@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164]

I was there. Unfortunately, my parents were cheap, especially my father. We attended the fair "after hours", most of the park was closed, a few restaurants were open, not many exhibits. We didn't get to see much. He grudgingly paid 1.00 for souvenir flags (wish I still had them) for my Sister and I. He found a few places to "have a few drinks", alcoholics always ruin a good time especially for kids.

[@MsPrecious61]

I was there at the age of 3. My parents were cheap and dull no fun unless it was adult fun for them

[@Jay-vr9ir]

@@MsPrecious61 You are lucky , you got to go, my Mom and Dad took us nowhere .Being Italian that was the norm ,I recall the few times my Mom and Dad did spend money , colour tv and a new car. The fuss , they made to the point that you couldn't even enjoy them .

[@diannemarshall4078]

One of the most awesome times I was 13 yrs old . It was such a happy time. All the exibits were fantastic hands on making new friends. Feeling incredibly proud to be a New Yorker. It was easy to travel from Bklyn of which I still reside and visited many time to Flushing Meadow park to bike ride canoeing and riding the carousel. . So enjoyed this short.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thanks for watching!

[@richardbartolo2890]

What a fun & interesting film. Thank You ! My favorite Exhibit was Ford, Riding in the new cars was a thrill for a 14 year old. The only thing you didn't mention was both the Singer Bowl and the Pavilion after the Fair had closed down for good were both used to host Rock Concerts. Bands like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Janis Joplin, The Doors, Savoy Brown, Chuck Berry, & Lots more played there.

[@doctorpatient519]

along those lines. Sir, was that starting in '70 (I think), impresario Bill Graham -- who brought the Fillmore concert hall concept to NYC, transforming the Village East Theater downtown into Fillmore East -- reached an agreement with NYC to hold concerts in the NY State Pavilion, still with most of its colored tiles intact ... I recall a tremendous Led Zeppelin show there, which (curiously) jazz guitarist Larry Coryell opened ... the Fair grounds were a great place to spend a leisurely summer evening roaming around the paths

[@wprnpublicradio]

I was 12 years old in ‘64, and got to go to the fair. It was a fantastic experience.

[@ParksandExpos]

It's incredible how memories of the fair have stayed with people so long.

[@JeffFrmJoisey]

This was Wonderful!!!! Thank you so, so much for transporting me to my 7 year old self and my love for NY World's Fair. It all started with a Subway Map! The NYC Transit Authority NY World's Fair Subway Map is their most map artistic ever!! On the folded cover was a WF Bluebird Train with fireworks and the Unisphere in the background. The the Sunday Daily News' special NY WF Coloroto section in April 1964 was an eye opener. What sealed the deal was a folder that Mobil gas put out full of info on the Fair, pavilion brochures, maps, the Special Coloroto section, etc. I packed that folder full of all the NY WF I could get my hands on!! There was even a map published in the Bergen Record which showed the Fair Map with footprints that by counting them you could figure how long it took to walk from place to place at the Fair. BTW - We lived Paramus NJ, a 1/2 hour ride to the Fair and we went three times, the 1st being June 1, 1964. Going to the Worlds Fair was an amazing experience !!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for this special Time Travel Adventure!!!!!!!!!

[@atrbear]

Great Video, brings back so many memories, my dad who worked for IBM at the time, brought me there several times from nearby Bayside, Queens. I have many 8mm rolls of those cherished experiences with my family. The video really captures the US at a unique period in history, socially, financially and culturally. In retrospect, what a great time to have been alive and be an 8 year old kid!! Thanks again for this wonderful Time Machine.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you for watching and your kind words!

[@chrisjeffries2322]

Excellent! Thank you for the ride back in time.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank YOU for checking it out, Chris. We'll have more videos up soon...

[@cliffchristie5865]

Pretty comprehensive and fills in a lot of gaps in my knowledge about the fair. Mainly it leaves you with a tremendous wish to have been able to see it all firsthand. Very well done.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thanks Cliff! We hope to have more videos soon. Please consider subscribing, as it helps us get seen on KZbin.

[@michaelosetek4655]

This documentary brought me some previously unknown personal connection to the Fair. Being born in 1965 I wasn't even aware of the event until I was an adult. Born and raised right in the Hudson Valley , still here and loving it. The arch support at The Enchanted Forest , had no idea. I always found the lights at the Orange County Fair unusual but somehow definitive. The sky ride cars at Six Flags always seemed out of place to me even at a young age. I even have a few spoons from the fair. Must have been a great experience. Also, till this video I truly believed fossil fuels came from dinosaurs. The long term impact of marketing is amazing.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thanks for watching, Michael! I was born after the fair as well, so it was really interesting to learn about all these things and ideas from the fair that were right in front of me.

[@mattmotchkavitz6485]

I was a transplanted California teenager living in Great Neck (63-66). Used to take the LIRR numerous times during both seasons. A great experience during my 14 + 15 years. Thanks for sharing this with us. Brought back many memories.

[@ParksandExpos]

Glad to hear it brought back memories!

[@patrickfullan9509]

One of my earliest memories(age 4) was going to the World's Fair. We lived in Brooklyn so the trip there didn't take very long. Good times.

[@speedysteve9121]

I went in 1965 at age 12, I was in awe.

[@brendadrew834]

Fascinating and great job WorldsFairMovie! I went to the fair in 1964 as part of my senior high school chorus at the New Jersey Pavilion at age 15 or 16. One of the songs we sang was 'Come to the Fair'! We also sang selections of songs from the hit Broadway show 'Camelot' ! Loved the iconic globe with the beautiful fountains! Great memories! Thank you~

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you for the kind words, and for sharing you memories! Did you know the Texas pavilion had a broadway show? It was hard to compete with the real thing though!

[@timcross2510]

I was 4. Among my first vivid memories! Pieta, world of tomorrow, boat ride in Disney small world, Sinclair dinosaur stuff.

[@ParksandExpos]

Even at a young age, the fair really left an impression on people that lasts/lasted for decades. Thanks for watching.

[@MarsiaPowers]

I was 6/7 and lived in The Bronx. Though we were poor, mom and dad took me every weekend, from early to end of day. My job on the way home on the 7 train was to run past everyone else and lie down on the seats to save space for them.

[@ParksandExpos]

The fair was such a powerful influence, especially for those who lived nearby and could go often, as you know. Thanks for sharing!

[@courtneyrogers7683]

Wow, that was incredible! What a great job documenting where all the pieces of the fair ended up.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you for the kind words! It's very encouraging! We'll be making more videos about this fair and others on the channel soon!

[@michaels3294]

Just found this after seeing a related video. Was really captivated and surprised at the depth of this production. Well done.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thanks Michael! We're adding a new series of short videos about different inventions that debuted at World's Fairs so I hope you'll subscribe and check those out too!

[@alexreyx77]

Awesome!!! I’ve been searching for something like this for years

[@ParksandExpos]

It means a lot that you enjoyed it. We hope to have more World's Fair videos soon!

[@coyotesayswhat]

Thank you. I remember in one pavillion, there was a radio sound effects demonstration where the audience was to close their eyes and they simulated bacon frying with cellophane. We ate at the Japanese pavillion and when we left I was shocked to find out we were in NY. OH to be 9 again.

[@Project-Jaden]

Just started this but I’m turning it off so I can watch it when I get home, can tell this is going to be a treat and it deserves me to be at home comfortable after work

[@echoecho3108]

If/when I find/build a Time Machine, I'm going to the World's Fair again, and you can 'Meet Me at the the Smoke Ring!' Thanx muchly for the fabulous Nostalgia Trip, and for letting me know what happened to some of my favorite stuff from the Fair. I'm glad to know that it all wasn't just left to 'demolition by neglect'. I was 14, vacationing with my family, and we went to the Fair! I remember everything you highlighted. The PeopleWall was impressive. The 4 Disney projects were fun. The Royal Tire ferris wheel was a blast! It was great to visit dinos that weren't skeletons. The individual state exhibits were interesting, as were the individual countries' exhibits. We tried a lot of different foods, too. I remember being fascinated with all the 'stuff' of the Fair, but what I remember most was ... how it felt. How it smelled. All the colors. All the faces. The excitement in the air. The looks of enjoyment. The people. We were all there. Some from near, and some from far. Old, young, all colors, sizes, and shapes. No fights. No protests. No verbal attacks just 'because'. Smiling at strangers. Gazing in wonder. Everyone excited and curious. And, just happy to be there! It didn't matter if you couldn't speak another's language. We somehow found a way to communicate with each other, mostly through body language. Peace through understanding. Yeah. I think we accomplished that --- at least we did on the day I went to the New York World's Fair. You could feel it. And see it. We, the people of the World, were all just happy to be. And that was great. 💕 (By the way, I still have my 'Smoke Ring' button. 😊 ) Thank you again for a wonderful documentary, and a great nostalgia trip! (subbed!)

[@Stonecutter334]

I was there but I was only 5. However i do have some memories from there for sure. Loved this film fantastic job!!!

[@ParksandExpos]

Thanks for watching!

[@georgesenda1952]

I had one of those Kodak Worlds Fair themed cameras and used it to take pictures at the fair and for years afterwards. Somehow in a seri s of moves across the country in both directions, it got lost. I loved that camera and wish I could buy one today just for memory’s sake. We also used an old Polaroid camera as well.

[@russellgrimes3491]

Jason Callan is on hospice.

[@kasession]

Great documentary!!! I was 10/11 and lived in upstate NY at the time. The first time i went, family came in from Alabama to go to the fair. They brought me along, but my biggest disappointment at the time was not being able to buy a souvenir, because my parents didn't give me any money. The second time I went with my family, and was able to buy a mug that I still have. I looked it up online, and it might be worth a little money. The exhibit I remember the most is Bell Systems video phone. I was blown away.

[@homelesspethelp3360]

Really well done, I have an appreciation for what you did as I just finished my own documentary. This film had a different effect on me that I'm sure most people didn't have; it pissed me off incredibly because my cheap lazy selfish parents never took me there. I grew up in Brooklyn and there was no reason they couldn't have taken my sister and me. But otherwise I enjoyed the film very much and I think it's better than most of the doc's being televised.

[@iamcoreilly]

Thank you for showing where a lot of the features ended up after the fair. I never knew how many things found new homes. I noticed a few things that had been big hits at Seattle in 1962, such as glass elevators up a tower - and rotating restaurant (Space Needle) and monorail. those things are still big hits in Seattle, along with their fountains plaza and the Science Pavilion which was designed by the architect for the original World Trade Centers, maintaining the familiar siding.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you for watching! I hope to do some videos on the Seattle fair as well!

[@kfl611]

One of my earliest memories of the fair and NOT BEING ABLE TO GO ! I was 3 or 4 at the time and my grandmother baby sat me and my younger sister, at home. She went to the hardware store, bought some sand, filled the sand box and we played in the sand box. My mom and dad, took my 2 older sisters, aged 5 and 6 or so to the fair. My mom says my eldest sister got separated from them some how ! Well they looked and looked for her, and finally decided to check by the car and my sister had knows where they had parked and was waiting by the car for someone to show up. I sure would have liked to have gone to the fair, even if I didn't understand what it was all about, but maybe it's better that I didn't I may have ended up lost and with another family to raise me !

[@ParksandExpos]

Well I'm sorry to hear you didn't get to go, but at least you didn't get lost either. (I guess???) I hope this movie gave you a little more sense of what it was like, even if it wasn't quite the same thing as being there.

[@happgood]

Lovingly created and truly nostalgic. Thanks for this thoroughly entertaining and informative documentary.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank YOU. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@charleskra]

I was there as a small child. One of my only memories was of the monorail. It was air-conditioned, and I guess I had never experienced that. The sensory aspect of that is probably why I remember it.

[@johnsimpson6181]

I remember seeing the Sinclair dinosaurs when they visited Detroit and I have driven by the giant tire along I-94 just outside of Detroit many times to get to Detroit Metro Airport.

[@scottjohnson5415]

Some of the luminary lights also ended up on the Oklahoma State Fair graounds. They were taken down several years ago.

[@heung1gong2yan4]

Amazing documentary! feeds my curiosity to this exotic fair

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you for checking it out! We're going to have more videos soon, so please subscribe to see more from this fair, and others.

[@jennykeenan8790]

thanks for the memories. I used to work at the Hawaiian Pavilion during the summer

[@ParksandExpos]

Hi Jenny! Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Feel free to share any info/memories of working at that unique pavilion!

[@karenstrycharz1499]

How cool is that, that you got to work at the Hawaiian Pavillon during the summer! What great memories & stories you must have of those summers working there! How I would have loved to have been able to do that! Thanks for sharing with us all that you worked there!

[@Darjeelingla]

What did you do at the Hawaiian Pavilion? Was it ‘65? I was a guide there in ‘64 🌸

[@ParksandExpos]

@@Darjeelingla I guess it truly is a small world!

[@kfl611]

In the 1970's we had a family friend who was in her 70's. She told me she remembered the 1939 world's fair and seeing one of the first displays of tv.

[@ParksandExpos]

Yes the 1939 fair featured the first TV broadcast in the U.S. Here's a quick video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYS6ioWYf72pqMk

[@njlauren]

They also demonstrated the microwave oven

[@chop3625]

Makes me sad when I reflect upon this once glorious place. The thought that this could never occur again is a shame. A family safe event in Flushing Meadows today? Not a chance in Hell. Thanks for such a fine clip, really enjoyable.

[@Thomas-qr3zv]

Agree about the contrast with today . A shame

[@TC-oi5pk]

Thank you for posting this! It was super exciting! Hopefully we can have more world's fairs in the future!

[@ParksandExpos]

The fairs continue, but in a different form, and unfortunately, with little participation from the U.S.

[@VWilt-so3ws]

They're going on all over the world, to this day. The USA hasn't participated in many many years with any world's fairs.

[@davebaise7994]

Wow! Correspondent Jules Bergman for “Unisphere”! Thanks for uploading!

[@billolsen4360]

Bergman was the best science reporter during the Mercury to Apollo programs.

[@davidbaise5137]

@@billolsen4360 thanks, used to watch Bergman covering the Gemini launches after they wheeled the television into my elementary school classroom.

[@billolsen4360]

@@davidbaise5137 Oh yeah! Television in the classroom. We all felt so scientifically advanced!

[@Van_The_Man]

5 Favorite memories:Introduction to Korean & Indian food, “It’s a Small World”, operating the ‘Ham Radio Station K2US at the Coke Pavilion, the Audio animatronics show with Abe Lincoln and at the DuPont pavilion, in the DuPont employee lounge, trying and critiquing the ‘test run’ of The ‘fish crackers’ we all know today. Thanks for the look back!

[@Draregasoral]

I was born at the end of '62 and remember going to the fair, I specifically remember the Polynesian dancers. I have the Progressland poster hanging in my living-room and still have the Fair program.

[@lukequigley121]

My 8grade field trip went to the fair..Busses from R.I. at 2am ,drove to N.Y. and spent 10hrs and then a long drive back to R.I. Dang what a memory..Bought 1 ash tray as a artifact,have it today..

[@Wtvldoc]

Thank yo so much. Brought back so many happy memories of a life time! I was there with my wife Cathy and very three young daughters and a sister visiting from India. My daughters three and two years old, loved Disney's "Its a Small World a small world" exhibit and we had to make a few rounds. We also hired a greyhound mobile, so it was easy on us to make the rounds!

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you so much! Glad it brought back memories of that special fair!

[@jcny11]

One of your first memories is going to the fair and going on the “Small World” ride. ❤️

[@peterparker9286]

Ya I just watched the 1893 fair when they lite the world hosted by Gene wilder its a must see. Then came straight to this one and realized alot of things.... Yes small ride.... Here we are today

[@StacyLRit]

Getting the popcorn ready!!

[@karenstrycharz1499]

Me too! Popcorn 🍿 all ready.... grabbing my blanket & all set!

[@darkchrome7542]

Fantastic movie - thank you! Appreciatively, I was at the fair. Regrettably, it was only because my mother was pregnant with me at the time (I was born a month after it closed)!

[@ParksandExpos]

Thanks for the nice words!

[@LAURABOHDAN]

Your masterpiece captured every dreamy moment of my 175 visits to my childhood center-point. As a 13 year old I was, perhaps, the only male attendee at the “women only” Clairol pavilion, an indicator of my future life as a woman. It took tremendous planning and inner fortitude. Love Laura

[@ParksandExpos]

Laura, thank you for the kind words, and so happy this trip took you back to such a formative point in your life!

[@lauradaly8020]

I went to the Fair several times, and I really enjoyed it

[@JasonKirby-zk8cj]

I WENT TO 1964/65 WORLDS fAIR. :-) in Queens, NY.

[@michaeladamo1188]

I wish I could find more videos like this! What an awesome video!

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you for watching!

[@robertabray-enhus3198]

I was Five when my parents and I journeyed down there from Massachusetts.It was summer and I remember most of it well! In the Borden exhibit, they had to stop the production in the theater,because Elsie the cow was having her calf. The Sinclair dinosaur exhibit,the people mover,the Disney exhibits.

[@cantsay8894]

This was absolutely great. Loved it. Thanks for the post.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you!

[@seazonedsoul]

Huge event in my life... My dad was sent by Six Flags Over Texas to work as an electrician at the World's Fair. We moved from Arlington Tx to New York for the fair season when I was 4 or 5 yrs old. Crazy!

[@ParksandExpos]

Thanks for watching. I wonder what the Six Flags connection was...

[@razzati420]

amazing video !!! thank you. love exploring this park even though I'm in my 30s. dad loved the fair, and in turn took us to Disneyworld alot because of his love of the fair.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thanks Chris. It's interesting how many people (myself included) have an interest in both Disney and the fair.

[@kpelzel]

Thank you for showing! Love your documentary!!

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you for the kinds words!

[@lampkinmedia]

I went to the Fair. I was 6 and lived in Queens. I have faint memories of it because of my age at the time. Watching this now is a really cool

[@ParksandExpos]

Thanks for checking it out. We're going to be doing a series of shorts on other aspects of this and other fairs, so please consider subscribing to the channel.

[@bebetigre1252]

It was wonderful!!!!

[@stevenmccart5455]

Some crazy memories from this film. Also some predictions of the future I'm glad haven't come true....yet. Could you imagine cutting through the Amazon rain forest and building a freeway??? Although my family did buy a new 65 Mustang.

[@njlauren]

That was Robert Moses for you, pour concrete over everything. He had plans for NYC that had highways bisecting much of Manhattan.

[@ThatGuy-kv1kw]

in the early 70's we used to explore the buildings and some things left inside

[@RRaquello]

I didn't get to go to the fair, even though I lived in NYC at the time, I guess because I was too young (4 years old when it closed). But I got to live with the fair for about five years afterwards. My mother went on the day it closed, in 1965, and all the souvenir stands were selling off their stock at about 10 cents on the dollar, just trying to get rid of it. She came home with her car's trunk full of World's Fair T-shirts, jackets, baseball caps, lunch boxes, school bags, rulers, pencils, notebooks, etc. etc. Mom never could resist a bargain.We have none of this left, except a World's Fair Souvenir Guide Book. We didn't think of the stuff as collectibles. It was stuff to be used, and we used it and it's all been gone for 50 years.

[@MrStanwyck]

Great documentary….. Now I know where the lights for our Orange County Fair came from…. Thank you for sharing this…

[@ParksandExpos]

Thanks Bill. I hope they lights stay for a long time, but I don't know that they're getting the attention they deserve given their long history.

[@13lilacs1]

I went with my parents and my sixth-grade grades class trip. I have an ashtray and a guidebook. I remember enjoying it very much.

[@ritanovielli3503]

I was a year and a half years old sitting in the stroller. I remember the shaped balloons. I loved the big giant globe.. these were some of my first memories

[@ParksandExpos]

It's wild how the fair could leave an impression, even on the super young. Thanks for watching!

[@mariagal926]

Absolutely amazing! Those were the days.

[@ParksandExpos]

Thank you for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@originalpackage]

I actually didn't know about the 1964/5 World's Fair untill I saw George Clooney's film "Tomorrowland"- (2015) where Mr. Clooney's character as a child goes to the fair to show off his vacuum cleaner Jetpack and this is what brought me to this youtube video to watch a part of America that was Wonderous and quite enjoyable. Thanks for the history lesson.😁

[@ParksandExpos]

Thanks for checking it out! A lot more scenes of the re-created fair were shot for "Tomorrowland" that unfortunately ended up on the cutting room floor. The filmmakers were very diligent in getting the details right, though.

[@8avexp]

We visited the Fair on July 20, 1965. Rode on the Swiss Sky Ride and the US Royal Tire Ferris wheel, saw Sinclair Dinoland, the Santa Maria replica and the porpoise show at the Florida Pavilion. My mother remembered the Vatican Pavilion while I remember the American Express Money Tree. My father quipped, "See? Money really does grow on trees!" My parents insisted that we hold hands so we wouldn't get separated, and it worked. You could only see so much in one day, though. We didn't go up in the State Towers, nor did we see, "To Be Alive." Nor did we sample any Bel-gem waffles.

[@billolsen4360]

Confirming forever what kids suspected for centuries - that their folks INDEED had a money tree they were hiding from us.

[@kena9763]

The uniroyal tire is right next to the Ford wind tunnel I test at in Allen Park Michigan.

[@Wtvldoc]

Great movie. Thank you so much.

[@maureenhelm1917]

Our mom and Aunt took us to the Fair...I was 10. Still remember having such a good time! We had a hard time finding the car at the end of the day.

[@ParksandExpos]

For being in NYC, (albeit Queens) it sure seemed like there was a sea of cars in those parking lots! Thanks for watching.