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.

“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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Sights at the fair

John McCain at the Iowa State Fair

Originally uploaded by reid.rosenberg

Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain bites into a pork chop on a stick while meeting with Iowa Pork Queen Jennifer Leistikow at an Iowa Pork Producers stand at the Iowa State Fair on Friday.

Best of Show

Here’s a look at Christian Vandehaar’s beautiful pastel, St. Matthew and the Angel, which was selected as “Best of Show” at the year’s Iowa State Fair. VandeHaar lives in Altoona.

Seeing this picture reminded us that Grant Wood, Iowa’s most famous artist, got his first big break when he won a ribbon at the fair in the 1930s. He loved the fair because he loved Iowans and never missed an opportunity to go and people watch, study the livestock, and think about his next creation.

Interestingly, when he became the newly appointed head of the Public Works of Art Project for Iowa, later named Civil Works Administration, Wood was asked by Iowa State President Raymond M. Hughes to plan murals for the library there. Wood obviously welcomed this opportunity to employ artists, and made his selection from those who had exhibited at the Iowa State Fair.

You can see Vandehaar’s painting at the Cultural Center on the east side of the fairgrounds (check out our map to find the location of the building.) It’s a favorite destination for many fair-goers and will give you a chance to see a new crop of artists ready to make a name for themselves.

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