Smash or Pass – Iowa State Fair Edition

It’s August in Iowa and, y’all know what that means… It’s State Fair time! People travel from all over the

world to come to the sprawling Iowa State Fair and, as a native Iowan, here’s what I’d smash or pass on

at the fair this summer.

• Iowa Pork tent – The pork chop on a stick is life changing. Just ask Caitlyn!

  

• Cattleman’s – The Hot Beef Sundae is a must try. I think about her all year round.

• State Fair Lemonade – A classic for a hot day, PLUS you are incentivized with discounted refills

with the reusable cup!

• Concerts and Live Entertainment – There are lots of free shows and activities around the fair that

are family friendly, including the Bill Riley Talent Show, free concerts, and other acts. If you

don’t want to spend money on Grandstand tickets, standing outside the arena with a cold beer from Jalapeño Pete’s is a cheaper alternative!

• Varied Industries Building – Lots of vendors and great deals on random stuff, but the real appeal

is the air conditioning that feels like a dessert oasis.

• Gyros – need I say more?

• Cheese curds – Specifically from Brad & Harry’s. They never disappoint!

• Beer tent – If you love craft beers and locally made wine, the Beer tent is great. From brews to

wine slushies, there is something for everyone here. Just be ready to open your wallet and bump

arms with strangers in the tent!

• Corndogs – DUH!

• Baby animals in the Animal Learning Center – Every year, the ISF has pregnant pigs, sheep, and

other animals in the Animal Learning Center who give birth on location during the fair. If you are

an animal lover, this is absolutely worth a stop. (Did I mention its air conditioned?)

• Big Boar, Big Ram, and Super Bull – Some may say keeping freakishly large animals in small

enclosures for 10 days is a little unethical. However, these beasts are fascinating and worth a

short walk-by, and may appreciate your ooh’s and ahh’s.

• Barksdale Cookies – This may be a hot take. Barksdale cookies have gotten more and more

unremarkable over the last few years. A giant bucket of cookies is good for a photo op, but a

waste of $20. (Yes, that is me with a bucket of the aforementioned cookies. No, I will not be

answering questions)

• Butter Cow – A cow sculpted from butter is cool, but I find it to be anticlimactic. It looks the

same every year, even though a new artist is tasked with it each fair season. If you have an appreciation for this stuff, it may be for you. Otherwise, it is a good excuse to escape the heat in the AC.

• Midway – Although carnival rides are a staple for most State Fair experiences, I find the midway

to be wildly overrated. It is expensive, the rides look rickety and scary, and it is a sensory nightmare. Good luck getting these points across to your kids, though!

• Weird fried stuff – The Iowa State Fair is infamous for frying quite literally anything. From fried sticks of butter, to Oreo cookies, to fruit, and ice cream – the ISF has it all. However, as good as a fried Oreo cookie or a stick of butter (if you’re into that) sounds, you will absolutely feel terrible afterward and so will your wallet.