The All Iowa State Fair Part Duex

Well the fair hasn't disappoint me yet again this year. Saturday is my day to get there early and check out all of the things you can't see at night because they close the doors of some things at 9PM.

Of course the first order of business is a corn dog and a Kalona ice cream bar. These are handmade by the Amish that live there. I remember as a kid eating these all the time at the sale barn where we bought and sold horses. So needless to say after I discovered they were at the fair last year in the Varied Industries building I've been making a stop by their booth for some of these great treats. I've had three in two days and I lost count how many corn dogs and beer.

The animals are always a big draw for me. So I went and seen all the "Big" animals they always have. This year the big bull weighted in at 3,012 lbs.

the big pig was like 1,250ish pounds

and the big buck sheep was 425ish pounds.

There was an elk that had to be the 'big rack' of the fair

This horse was like 22.5 hands tall. Hands for those who don't know is how they measure horses at the top of the withers (shoulders) and a hand is four inches.

The Big Budweiser hitch even made a couple of laps of the grounds, I didn't even know they were there this year.

Not all things are big at the fair though. There was this... now all you ladies say it with me... Awwwww... This little donkey was about a week old and all of a foot tall.

After a tour of all the barns it was time to head over and watch the animals in the birthing building. I didn't get to see any little guys come popping out but I did watch a little chicken peck his/her way out of the shell.

While sitting on a bench thinking of what to go look at next this ol' fella asked if the seat next to me was open, which I told him it was all for him. Then he looks up at the Sky Glider, a ski lift type of ride that between the two of them you can go from one end of the grounds to the other, and states "that looks fun." Come to find out it was this guys 76th birthday and was from St. Louis. This was his first time at the fair. I asked him which one was better to which he said their fair doesn't come close in size or the amount of things to do. I guess it stands to reason why the movie "State Fair" was made of (after?) the All Iowa State Fair.

I guess that is about it for this past weekend at the fair. I've got at least three more days planned with one of the days being Daddy Dave's 70th birthday bash. Should be plenty of beer and corn dogs at that. That should give my legs a chance to stop aching from the ten hours I spent walking Saturday.

Sorry the photos are so crummy but it is a phone cam.

fasthair

Fair Time

I love the fair. So much to see and do. The big pig, the big cow, the butter cow and people watching. Not to mention corn dogs and beer! Then there is the ton of free music and entertainment. The even have a nice set of concerts for the grandstands this year which is a welcome change. I've never seen Charlie Daniel's Band before so I think I will check that out. Plus the tractor pulls is always a must do, nothing like loud and dirt for some fun.

The fair thought they would be smart and try to set a record yesterday for the most corn dogs eaten at once. They offered free admission early in the morning and a free corn dog do anyone who wanted to join in. Well they had 15,000 people show up and only had 8,500 corn dogs. Traffic was backed up for miles with people trying to get in. Here's a little tip for you out of towners. Don't take University Avenue, instead either take Grand, Walnut, or Dean Avenues, that's the super secret way locals avoid the traffic hassles.

I see everyone is getting home from Sturgis. Ran in to a buddy last night who had just got back. I of course gave him the cold shoulder when he told me he rode his trailer there. I mean come one it's only like 650 miles from here. Isn't half the fun getting there. I'll tell you about some of the trips Stan, Lisa and I have made there in the next week or so.

Well time close up shop, head to the fair. I need a corn dog and a beer.

fasthair