Iowa State Fair Time

It’s the culminating summer event right now in Des Moines; The Iowa State Fair! We love to go as a family and spend a good ¾ day there. Usually we leave early in the morning between 8 and 9AM to beat the crowds and the heat. We have a little route that we try to follow somewhat so the kids get the most out of it before they get tired and cranky.

First stop is Little Hands on the Farm This is definitely a kid favorite! Kids get to put on a little apron, a green farmer hat and are given a little basket. They pick apples, plant corn, milk a cow, and are given a dollar to buy something at the general store. Definitely a picture opportunity!

Next we head over to Grandpa’s Farm (almost furthest thing E at fairgrounds) to pet the baby kitties and chicks, see other farm animals and ride a pony. Pretty big event for a bunch of city kids. Then we make our way down the big hill to check out the butter cow, largest blue ribbon pumpkins, and to get lots of food samples at the Agriculture Building. We also like to stop and see the biggest boar (usually weighing in at over 1,000 lbs!) and see the winners of the ugliest cake contest. We usually end our time with a trip flying down the Giant Yellow Slide.

What about my fair favorite? The food! We always have the mandatory corn dog, my husband loves the giant prok tenderloins, and the kids are all about the funnel cakes. I love the warm, ooey, gooey chocolate chip cookies in the Varied Industries Building. New this year…pineapple on a stick! Deep fat fried pineapple! I have tried the deep fat fried candy bars and oreos in past years. Pretty imaginative…

Something we haven’t tried, but am definitely intrigued by is the Blue Ribbon Kids. During the week kids 10 and under get to be involved in special kids club activities designed around the fair. Check it out and let me know if you give it a try!

Have another family fair favorite of yours? Let me know and I can add it into our fair rotation!