The Iowa State Fair begins Thursday in Des Moines. Expect the usual things associated with the venerable celebration: midway rides, grandstand concerts, competitions and pork chops on sticks.
But this year is noteworthy for the 100th anniversary of the butter cow, the faux bovine carved anew each year. Special butter cow events include KRNT "Butter" Cow Chip Throwing, at 11 a.m. Aug. 17 at the Farm Bureau Pioneer Hall, and the daily Battle of the Butter Sculpting on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage, 4 p.m.
The fair ends Aug. 21.
Some other highlights:
» Bill Riley's Talent Search takes place every day at noon, except the last, on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.
» Various Iowa wine-related activities at Grandfather's Barn.
» The Iowa Craft Brew Tent on Rock Island Avenue.
» A.J. Lutter, chainsaw artist, daily at 10 a.m., noon, 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Heritage Village.
» Swampmaster's Gator Show, daily at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., west of the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center.
» "I Milked a Cow," daily, beginning Aug. 14, various times, at the Boulevard of Dairy Breeds.
» Iowa's Best Sauerkraut, Aug. 14, at the Elwell Family Food Center.
And it wouldn't be the Iowa State Fair without musical acts.
Here are some:
» The Oak Ridge Boys, 8 p.m., Aug. 11, Susan Knapp Amphitheater.
» Jay and the Americans, 8 p.m., Aug. 11-13, Budweiser Stage.
» Casting Crowns, Aug. 11, 8 p.m., the Grandstand.
» Def Leppard and Heart, Aug. 13, 8 p.m., the Grandstand.
» Sugarland, Aug. 14, 8 p.m., the Grandstand.
» Train, Aug. 19, 8 p.m., the Grandstand
» Paul Revere and the Raiders, Aug. 20-21, 8 p.m., Budweiser Stage.
» Janet Jackson, Aug. 21, 8 p.m., the Grandstand.
The fairgrounds are at East 30th Street and East University Avenue, about 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines.
Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for kids in advance; at the gate it's $10 for adults, $4 for kids ages 6 to 11, and free for kids 5 and under.
Information, including a far more detailed schedule, can be found at www.iowastatefair.org.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1310, andrew.nelson@owh.com
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