 Iowa State Fair.2009
each year the year is planted on this hillside in flowers
|  Mom at 2009 state fair
Mom has been coming to the fair since 1931 when she viewed the great collision of two train engines. She will be 95 soon. She spent the whole day seeing all her favorite sights.
|  Peggy on Big Slide.2009
Peggy and her neighbor are young at heart!
|  Pam & Sue at top of Big Slide
old friends reliving a part of their childhood
|
 Pam & Sue screaming
|  Pam & Sue hit bottom
|  Pam & Sue collapse giggling
|  Pam & Sue.8-21-09
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 Butter exhibit-Neil Armstrong
The 40th anniversary of the moon walk was commemorated in butter in the grand tradition of the Iowa State Fair.
|  Jersey butter cow.2009
Each year a different cow breed is honored in butter sculpture.
|  Banner for Moon walk.7-20-69
July 20, 1969
One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
-- Neil Armstrong
|  Watching the moon walk
Banner: Dairy is out of this world. Video of the moon walk was playing on the butter TV - it gave me goose bumps to watch it again - I observed young people were not interested.
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 Eagle's nest.DNR.2009
Iowa Department of Natural Resources has developed a park exhibit where visitors can get close to wild creatures.
|  Green Egg grill was popular exhibit
|  Green Egg has many parts
|  New cattle barn.2009
Design allows natural light and ventilation for cooling
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 Miniature Herefords.2009
Miniature Herefords look just like the big ones. Note the schmoozing over the fence.
|  Belgian breed
Unique to this breed is the double muscle on the rump.
|  Belgian breed
|  Howard & Larry catch up
in the new cattle barn old friends meet
|
 Iowa motto
Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.
- Motto of the state of Iowa
|  State of Iowa rock.2009
Rock painted by Ray "Bubba" Sorensen featuring Iowa was sold at auction for $8,000 which goes to the Iowa Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation.
|  The Freedom Rock
Bubba Sorensen was inspired to paint a rock near Interstate 80 at Greenfield, Iowa, in the early days of the Middle East wars to honor veterans -- he continues to paint a new patriotic theme each year for Memorial Day.
|  Bubba Sorensen.rock painter
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 Iowa rock.2009
Iowa notables: Grant Wood's American Gothic, John Wayne, Shawn Johnson, Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics and a goldfinch, the state bird.
|  Bubba Sorensen.rock artist.2009
Bubba began painting the first day of the fair, August 13 and finished in time for the auction August 23. The rock weighed 6 tons.
|  Rhinestone Cowboy show
The horse was trained to roll over onto its back and allow the cowboy to sit on his chest -- this goes against a horse's instinct to stand as its best defense.
|  Rock climb in Fun Forest
new in 2009, this innovative installation helped a lot of kids work off some energy
|
 meet us ...
... on the front porch of the Administration Building -- a traditional gathering place since the fair began
|  Three Beyers on the porch
|  Blue Band.2009
a favorite free show at the fair every year for 29 years - one of four free venues - this one sponsored by a dairy and a radio station.
|  Blue Band.2009
the band performed twice a day for two days - soft rock
|
 geese drink from a soda bottle
a wandering exhibit, the Goose Man walked through crowds with his well-behaved gaggle of geese which were good with children
|  Goose man and Gaggle of Geese
wearing their Holstein cow capes, this taken in early morning at preening time
|  Bandaloni I-pod
The Bandaloni one-man band carried his sound system, all wireless in a motorized cart powered with 12-volt batteries - all instruments basic but hi tech
|  Bandaloni Show
the musician performed 4 times daily throughout the 10-day fair. each show was different because he took requests and played many games with the children. Great entertainer from Canada.
|
 watching Bandaloni Show
fair visitors of all ages enjoyed the strolling musician
|  Fair Foundation Auction
the state fair queen parades in the ring carrying the Grand Champion ham which sold for $350. Reserve Champion ham sold for $250. Grand Champion bacon brought $400. Reserve Champion bacon brought $700 ... only in Iowa!
|  Bag of goodies ...
... for the guy who kept the farm and home fires burning ... fair food - pork chop on a stick, 1/2-pound hot dog, taffy, fudge, kettle popcorn and souvenirs were fun gifts.
|  more goodies ...
... monogrammed work vests for the guys and a helium ball for Gomer
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