Iowa State Fair is our time to shine

By Sally Pederson
Special to the Herald

August 10, 2006 09:57 am

— It’s almost here. It’s one of my favorite summer activities. It’s just around the corner and I can already taste the corndogs, hear the hog calls and feel the sawdust beneath my feet. I can’t wait to indulge in an Iowa pork chop and hear the roar of the grand stand. It’s that time of year, time for the Iowa State Fair.
Once again, Des Moines will be host to the Iowa State Fair on from today through Aug. 20. This year the state fair will be celebrating its 152nd year in existence and 120th year at the fairgrounds on East 30th Street and University Avenue.
Every year more than a million people turn out for one of the two most popular places in America to have fun. The USA Weekend magazine examined popular travel destinations throughout the United States and ranked the Iowa State Fair as the second most popular place America goes to have fun. The 11-day fair is second only to Las Vegas, a year-round attraction.
The Iowa State Fair rivals all other fairs in the Midwest for best concerts, food, games, rides, animals and entertainment, just to name a few. It’s a time for young people in 4-H and Future Farmers of America to display the projects they have worked on and the animals they have given so much attention to over the last year. It also gives Americans the opportunity to see the biggest boar in the state, be carried hundreds of feet in the air by a midway ride and visit the famous butter cow all in the same day.
It’s impossible to deny the Iowa State Fair is exciting when more than 85,000 ribbons are awarded, you can buy more than 20 different types of food on a stick and six presidents have made visits over the years.
This year, the fair will be host to country stars Big and Rich, Brad Paisley and Trace Adkins. Also on the Grand Stand is the annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Reunion, Smash Mouth, James Taylor and the Grand Outlaw National Tractor and Truck Pull.
With so much to see and do, it’s hard to fit everything into one day. By the time you take in a few shows, walk through the barns and the cultural building and enjoy a little fair food, the day is almost over. That’s why I recommend taking a couple days to fully experience the Iowa State Fair.
Not only is the fair fun for the whole family, but it’s also great for Iowa’s economy. Conservative figures indicate the Iowa State Fair is the catalyst for approximately $60 million worth of spending in travel, hotels/motels, restaurants, shopping, etc.
If you are in need of one more adventure before school starts and summer comes to a close, I would suggest one or two or three days at the Iowa State Fair. And while you are there please stop by the governor’s booth located in the Varied Industries Building. I look forward to seeing you.
Sally Pederson has been lieutenant governor of Iowa since 1999.