I WA LIFE
SUDOKU
WELCOME TO THE IOWA STATE FAIR!
WHERE POLITICS AND BUTTER SCULPTURES MEET
SALES AND SUCCES S
We’d venture a guess that the Iowa State Fair, which pops up in Des Moines every summer, is the most patriotic fair in America. Not only are we proud of the red, white, and blue here in the Hawkeye State, but our fair has also been home to a unique mix of agricultural pride, food on a stick, and American politics for decades. As NPR reports, the Iowa State Fair is a proving ground for presidential hopefuls who show up to eat cotton candy, get a peek at prize-winning livestock, and convince crowds they deserve to win votes in our battleground state. Every election year, candidates give 20-minute speeches at what NPR calls “the infamous ‘Des Moines Register’ Political Soapbox.” Last year, more than 20 presidential candidates took their turns! That said, political speeches aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, and it’s far from the only reason to check out the fair. One of the biggest draws for out-of- towners and locals alike is the famous butter cow. Yes, that’s exactly what it sounds like — a life-size cow sculpted from 600 pounds of low-moisture, pure-cream Iowa butter! The tradition dates back to 1911, and the fair has an official butter sculptor each year, a title passed down from master to apprentice over generations. According to the fair’s website, a single cow sculpture could butter 19,200 slices of toast! The cow is accompanied by a rotating companion sculpture, and in 2019, the cast of “Sesame Street” made an appearance in dairy to celebrate the show’s 50-year anniversary. Another thing that draws people to the fair is the food. Fair organizers list a whopping 69 menu items in the “food on a stick” category, including skewered popcorn balls, pork belly, “salad on a stick,” “chocolate-covered Key lime pie on a stick,” and “peanut butter and jelly on a stick.” You can also find all things deep-fried, including Twinkies, funnel cake, and bacon- wrapped Italian sausage. In addition to food, there’s a parade, a competition for Fair Queen, livestock contests, concerts, and dozens of rides and games. This year’s fair is scheduled for Aug. 13–23, pending COVID-19 changes. If you end up checking it out, maybe we’ll see you at the cow!
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