Adventures in Pork

June 8, 2016
Intern's picture
The Fairgrounds have come alive this week! The World Pork Expo has taken over the Iowa State Fairgrounds.  While we continue working on the Corndog Kickoff and the Fair, outside the office is the hustle and bustle of business, education, old friends, and families.  The William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building, Agriculture Building, Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center, the Grand Concourse, and all of the barns are full with the record breaking 6,000 pre-entry hogs and over 1,000 exhibitors.  
 
Before a few weeks ago, I didn’t even know that there even was a World Pork Expo, let alone that it happened on the Fairgrounds.  Today my “pork adventure” started with much more traffic on the east side.  People with parking passes were passing me on the interstate, and I think I timed my wait on University at 10 minutes.  Even taking the mail to the Administration Building was more interesting than usual as I dodged golf carts and strollers.  The other interns and I are also excited to ditch our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for free lunch at “The Big Grill” for the rest of the week.  On the menu today was ribs and pulled pork, in case you need another reason to be jealous of the great summer we’re having as Blue Ribbon Foundation interns.
 
If you’re going to be missing out on the World Pork Expo this year, you can still get your full of pork at the Corndog Kickoff on July 9.  In addition to the pork chop on a stick you can munch on, there are some great auction packages involving the other white meat.  In the silent auction you could be the lucky winner of the “Pig Out” basket that includes a $150 gift card for Berkshire Pork fresh products and a ceramic “meat” pig showing where all the cuts originate.  If you’re a fan of the Pork Tent during the Fair, you might consider bidding on “A Fair Experience” which includes lunch with Governor Branstad provided by the Pork Tent. 
 
I'm looking forward to the rest of my first World Pork Expo adventure, if you've never been check it out this week!
 
-Kelsey
 
The World Pork Expo takes over the Fairgrounds!