The State Fair Experience

Hello everyone!

RAGBRAI is coming through Des Moines! And they're takinng a little bit of the State Fair with them.

Yesterday, Kate and I got the chance to head downtown to promote the Iowa State Fair to the riders there. They got to spin the wheel at our booth for a State Fair prize. We offered everything from hats, magnets and postcards to State Fair cookbooks and tickets to the 2013 Fair. For me, I always got very excited whenever someone won tickets. Because what an awesome win! I think most everyone that did was also pretty excited, and who wouldn't be? It was a great feeling to be able to share and give something as great as the Iowa State Fair, especially to some who had never been there before.

This morning, the RAGBRAI route is coming through the grounds. Riders are enjoying Fair food at the stands along Grand Avenue and stopping to get on the SkyGlider. They're touring the Fair Museum and curving around the Ag Building to head over to Walnut, passing by our buildings. Although they're not filled with the exciting exhibits, fun animals, and live shows that bring the State Fair to life in August, I hope they still get a feel for what this place is all about and hopefully come back to experience it.

I always find it interesting when Iowa natives haven't ever gotten to experience the State Fair. It's such a historic place, so representative of who we are, where we've been and where we're going as Iowans. From 4-H exhibits, healthy competition, and agriculture to food, amusement rides and performing acts, there's nothing quite like this place and the heavy, contagious atmosphere that pervades these grounds for those 11 days in August.

Of the three interns here this summer at the Foundation, I have some more Fair experience and memories, so I'm very excited for Carly and Kate to enjoy everything that is about the descend upon the grounds in just two weeks (INSANE!). And that goes for anyone experiencing the State Fair for the first time whether they're long time Iowa residents or journeying to this great state from far away like the Pennsylvanian riders that stopped by the State Fair booth yesterday downtown. Truly, nothing compares to the Iowa State Fair.

Until next time!

-Kristine