Tuesday A Great Day To Visit The Fair

Tuesday might be the best day of the 11-day run to attend the Iowa State Fair.

Our last visit to the State Fair, a five-hour trip through the fairground, cost us a total of $98. Granted, $48 of that was spent on beer, but the other $50 disappeared rather quickly, too. We spent $20 for a 3-pack of cotton Iowa State t-shirts at the Varied Industries building, $6 for a couple of Big Slide tickets, $12 for round-trip tickets on the Sky Glider, $6 for a giant turkey leg, $4 for a couple of melon cups from Beattie’s and pocket change for a variety of odds and ends.

But Tuesday offers the best money saving opportunity of the fair: the annual Farm Bureau Cook-Out, which features a variety of samples of delicious grilled meat from contestants. If you don’t act too needy, you can get your fill of the best pork, chicken and beef that will be so tasty you’ll want to suck on a briquette.

But there’s more. A tri-fecta of free acts on the stage offers a tantalizing sample of great musical acts that have either enjoyed stardom or are on their way to the musical plateau. Santana lead singer Greg Rolie plays on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage at 8 p.m. John Ford Coley (of England Dan & John Ford Coley fame) entertains on the Budweiser Stage at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and country star - and Iowan - Jason Brown performs on the Susan Knapp Amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Auctioneers from across the state face off for the Iowa championship at 9 p.m. at the Riley Stage. The popular Pedal Power Tractor Pull occurs at 10 a.m. on Rock Island Avenue. The Outhouse Races are at 2:30 p.m. on the Grand Concourse. And Century Farms will be honored all day long at the Budweiser Stage.

And the best kept secret of the fair, the Pigeon Rolling contest, occurs at noon southeast of gate six. A little explanation: there is a breed of pigeon that doesn’t so much walk as it rolls in a sort of somersault style. The contest involves seeing which pigeon will roll the farthest. It’s fascinating.

A few years ago, an intrepid television reporter showed up at the pigeon rolling with animal right activists, ready to blow the lid of the event. Seems she expected that pigeons would be rolled like bowling balls, rather than tumbling on their own. She left with some great video but a bit disappointed. This is the event you’ll love telling your neighbors about. And after you’ve seen it once, you’ll never desire to see it again. Perfect for your State Fair bucket list.

Brighton Man Wins Tallest Corn Contest

Brighton resident Clarence Anderson won first place in the Tallest Cornstalk contest which took place prior to the start of the 2008 Iowa State Fair. Anderson’s corn stalk, measuring 14 feet, 1 inch tall beat out five other entries for first place.

Second place winner Bob Anderson, also from Brighton, promised a close race with his 13 feet, 7 inch stalk, only two inches taller than that of third place winner John Washburn of Des Moines.

Lexi Kleen of Torrance, Calif., took fourth place with 13 feet, 4 inches. Fifth place was awarded to Jerome Kleen of Gilmore City and sixth place went to Ron and Mary Zelle of Waverly.

The contest was part of “Rural Americana Olde Tyme Competitions” in Farm Bureau Pioneer Hall. A first prize of $5 and ribbons were awarded to each class.

More acts advance in talent quest

Five senior division acts (ages 13-21) and five sprout division acts (ages 2-12) have advanced to the semi-final rounds in Bill Riley’s 49th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Friday, August 15.

The names, ages, hometowns and routines for the seniors are:
Isaac Stauffer, 19, Wayland, Tap/Acrobatic Solo
Kristen McPheron, 17, Clarissa McPheron, 17, both of New London; Acrobatics
Jesse Stock, 22, Bennett, Vocal
Alec Carlson, 17, Ben Schulteis, 15, Mike Ernst, 18, Kirk Sidey, 18, Jesse McCann, 16, all of Greenfield, Men’s Quintet
Ambreyana Jones, 16, Des Moines, Piano

The names, ages, hometowns and routines for the sprouts are:
Ally Mordhorst, 12, Taylor McCall, 12, both of Ute; Alex Veit, 13, Odebolt; Miranda Struck, 13, Schleswig; Tap
Harrison Sheckler, 12, Charles City, Piano Solo
Brittany Carlson, 11, Ankeny, Dance Musical Theater
Grace Wood, 6, Norwalk, Baton
Emma Conroy, 12, Lucy Conroy, 11, both of Mount Vernon; Anna Kaldjian, 11, Iowa City; String Trio

Top photographs honored at Iowa State Fair

Mike Landwehr of Waukee and Ankeny resident Carley Goldhorn earned Best of Show honors in the Photography Salon competition judged prior to the 2008 Iowa State Fair.

Landwehr’s entry, “Geese in Corn Dust,” won him $500 for Best of Show in the Adult Division. Goldham earned $250 for Best of Show in the Youth Division with her entry, “Essence of Time.”

The theme for this year’s contest was “Night Visions.” Judges reviewed over 200 entries for consideration and awarded $7,225 in prize money to the most creative and engaging black and white and color photos.

Winning entries from each division will be on display throughout the Fair in the Patty and Jim Cownie Cultural Center, open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Additional results after the jump:
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Iowa State Fair Introduces Own Wine

For the first time ever, the Iowa State Fair is introducing its own wine.

The Edelweiss, a slightly sweet white wine identified by its floral and fragrant yet crisp and tart flavor, was specially bottled for the Iowa State Fair by the Jasper Wineries of Newton. Labeled with the 2008 Iowa State Fair logo and theme, “U Gotta Love It,” the wine is the first in a line of wines expected to be produced each year for the Iowa State Fair.

“The Fair is excited to present this new offering to Fairgoers while supporting Iowa’s emerging wine industry,” said Fair Manager/CEO Gary Slater. “It’s the perfect way to commemorate this year’s trip to the Iowa State Fair.”

Fairgoers can purchase their own bottle for $15 at both the Iowa Wine Growers Association booth (north of the Walnut Center) and the Blue Ribbon Foundation merchandise booth at the northwest corner of the Administration Building.

Caramel Apples

Clifford and Friends

“Tiny” Tops The Scales To Win 2008 Super Bull Contest

“Tiny,” a six-year-old Charolais Bull, topped the scales at 3012 pounds winning the Super Bull contest, held Thursday, August 7, at the 2008 Iowa State Fair. Tiny is owned by longtime exhibitor Joe Holub of What Cheer. Holub has exhibited the Super Bull four times in the past and has placed second and third numerous times. “Tiny” actually came in second last year. Holub reports he didn’t know he had a winner, he just kept feeding him, despite the higher feed costs this year. “You just get caught up in the competition, and what’s more important than the Iowa State Fair!” Joe laughed.

Leih Limousins of New Virginia took second place in the competition with a Limousin Bull named “Warden” weighing in at 2902 pounds.

“Tiny” as well as the Big Boar and Big Ram can be found at the Iowa State Fair in their respective barns through August 17.

More Acts Advance in State Fair Talent Contest

Six talented senior division acts (ages 13-21) and five sprout division acts (ages 2-12) have advanced to the semi-finals in Bill Riley’s 49th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each will perform again on Thursday, August 14.
have advanced to the semi-final rounds in Bill Riley’s 49th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, August 14.

The names, ages, hometowns and routines of senior division acts are:
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Ankeny baker wins $3,000 cinnamon roll prize

Ankeny resident Sarah Michaelsen claimed the coveted First Place Overall title in the Tone’s Cinnamon Rolls contest, judged Thursday, August 7 at the 2008 Iowa State Fair. Michaelsen was awarded $3000 in prize money.

Des Moines’ Anita Van Gundy walked away with the award for Second Place Overall as well as $1500. An additional $500 was awarded to Marianne Carlson of Jefferson who took Third Place Overall.

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