Iowa State Fair

I have been wanting to attend the Iowa State Fair for years now.

Their motto is, "Nothing Compares"...and as far as state fairs go, I'd agree.

Huge pigs, pumpkins, cows of butter, and over 60 food items on a stick.

(Yes, there are apps for the Iowa state fair food)

We saw all kinds of new-to-us things.

Including Sarah Palin and her husband. :)

Roman is giving it a go at the Marine's pull-up bar.

And Zachary won a football for doing 20 pull-ups. (assisted :)

The official Budweiser Clydesdale Clan.

I think my favorite part was the Hands on the Farm exhibit for the kids.

Basically it took them through the process of farming, in a kid-friendly way.

(Seriously the cutest farmer I've ever seen)

They planted, and harvested produce.

Milled Corn and Soybeans.

Turned their Soybeans into Soy Diesel.

Which they used to fill up their tractors.

Sheared wool from the sheep.

(and on and on)

At the very end, they sold their goods to the farmers market and received money for their hard work.

Then they could take that money into the store and purchase a snack.

There were an overwhelming number of snacks to choose from.

Of course no kid in his right mind chose something like the raisin boxes...

my kids went for the bomb pops!

Zach was so excited for the official lego tent.

Aerodynamics be darned, it was Lily's over-accessorized creation that ended up beating out all the boys who had put so much thought into their lego car designs.

Although, the boys followed the 20-piece rule, and Miss Lily, ummm, didn't.

They loved the bungee trampoline.

Lily figured out how to do backflips and spend her time flipping through the air.

Of course she did.

My dad was a judge for the Iowa's Best Corn Casserole Contest.

It was serious business folks.

Honestly, one of the most fun things I've watched in a long time.

Each judge had an assistant.

(That sweet little lady sitting next to my daddio -who is in the white hat-was his assistant)

Typically they are former home-ec teachers or something of the sort...and they give instructions and help the judges record their opinions.

See that big smile in the periwinkle outfit? She was the 1st prize winner.

Can you even imagine the bragging rights she owns now? :)

***
We were in Iowa for 3 days, but I think you could go to the fair for the entire 2-weeks (for years and years) and still not see and do all there is to see and do. What a great time. We were totally spoiled by my parents, and we were so glad to come along. There was a break in the stifling heat that has been hanging around the Midwest, and my pregnant self really (really) appreciated that! Until next time Iowa State Fair!