In addition to being an arranger, Grofé was a composer in his own right. While still with Whiteman, in 1926, he wrote "Mississippi Suite", which Whiteman recorded in shortened format in 1927. He wrote a number of other pieces, including a theme for the 1939 New York World's Fair and suites for Niagara Falls and the Hudson River. Possibly as a result of his World's Fair theme, October 13, 1940, was designated "Ferde Grofé Day" at the American pavilion of the World's Fair. In 1961, Grofé conducted his "Niagara Falls Suite" as part of the ceremony marking the opening of the first stage of the Niagara Falls Power Generation project.