Our State Fair...

... is a monument to industrial agriculture. It's also a lot of fun!

We made our pilgrimage to the Iowa State Fair yesterday afternoon. Usually, it's 95 degrees with 90 percent humidity during the fair, which is often enough in and of itself to keep us at home. But yesterday's high was only in the mid-80s - an absolutely perfect day for the fair.

Both girls entered items into competition for the first time this year. Sarah entered a needle/beaded necklace she made and Melissa entered several crocheted items. Melissa won 3 Blue Ribbons and Sarah won a Blue Ribbon for her entry as well.

Melissa - you can see her blue ribbons in the background.

Sarahs' necklace is on the bottom of the display case on top of her blue ribbon.

Both girls plan to enter many more items next year. I may even try my luck in one of the food competitions.

Speaking of food, by the time we got to the fair at about 2:30, I was starving! First on the list was a deep fat fried Snickers bar on a stick for Michael. Then I settled on a Greek Gyro and a strawberry smoothie. We nibbled throughout the rest of the day on an assortment of yummies, including funnel cakes, sarsparilla, giant dill pickles (Sarah had 2), root beer, water, Dip N Dots, frozen lemonade, french fries, water, giant pretzels and, umm, oh yeah, water.

You know how they say you can find anything on a stick at the Iowa State Fair?

It's true!

We visited the Snakes Alive exhibit, something we did years ago before Melissa was even born. Somewhere I have a picture of the boys and Sarah with Michael and possibly this very same snake!




We caught a free Dog Show, rode the Sky Ride, saw the bee exhibit, chickens, ice sculpture and of course, the butter cow. Unfortunately, Duffy Lyons, the butter sculptor for more than 40 years (I believe) retired a couple of years ago. Her replacement is not nearly as skilled. Duffy's butter cow's looked as if they could walk right out of the cooler and start to graze. Yesterday's cow was imperfect, to be sure. The butter Shawn Johnson didn't even look like the gymnast.
I couldn't carve anything realistic to save my soul, but I sure miss Duffy's butter cows.

Michael and Sarah on the Giant Slide


We had a great day and a load of fun. The girls and I might go back one day next week - admission is half price after 5 p.m. - to view more animals and a few more exhibits.