State Fair

The Iowa State Fair has quite a history. I have had intentions of attending for years, but could never get excited enough for the fair to make my "to do" list. I'm sorry to say that my only experience with a state fair is the Tennessee State Fair. For those of you who organize the TSF, I apologize, but it is certainly not an event I ever want to visit again. I'll leave it up to other Tennesseans as to whether or not they disagree.

Anyway, I'm making reservations today for a hotel and will be arriving in Des Moines on August 14. Since Des Moines is the place of my birth and I have many family memories, I always enjoy visiting. This year, however, I will be really immersing myself in the fair culture. The "Butter Cow" is evidently a must see. One can choose from a variety of foods on a stick. The list is extensive, but I think worth posting on this blog. I'll have a hard time choosing what to eat.

1. Pickle on-a-stick
2. Pork chop on-a-stick
3. Corn dog
4. Cheese on-a-stick
5. Cajun chicken on-a-stick
6. Sesame chicken on-a-stick
7. Carmel apple
8. German sausage on-a-stick
9. Teriyaki beef on-a-stick
10. Corn on the cob on-a-stick
11. Cotton candy
12. Veggie dog on-a-stick
13. Turkey drumstick
14. Nutty bar
15. Fried pickle on-a-stick
16. Hot bologna on-a-stick
17. Shrimp on-a-stick
18. Chicken on-a-stick
19. Monkey Tails (chocolate covered banana on-a-stick)
20. Taffy on-a-stick
21. Honey on-a-stick
22. Ice cream Wonder Bar
23. Deep fried Snickers bar on-a-stick
24. Deep fried 3 Musketeers bar on-a-stick
25. Deep fried Milky Way bar on-a-stick
26. Deep fried Twinkie on-a-stick
27. Lamb on-a-stick
28. Meatballs on-a-stick
29. Deep fried hoho on-a-stick
30. Fudge Puppy (waffle drenched in chocolate syrup and topped with whipped cream)
31. Chili Dog on-a-stick
32. Funtastick Pork on-a-stick
33. Dutch letters on-a-stick
34. Turkey tenders on-a-stick
35. Deep fried hot dog on-a-stick
36. Chocolate covered cheesecake on-a-stick
37. Potato Lollipop (4 thick slices of russet potato deep fried and on-a-stick with dipping sauces)
38. Pineapple on-a-stick (Fresh pineapple dipped in funnel cake batter and deep fried)
39. Chicken lips on-a-stick (breaded chicken breast smothered with hot sauce, served with blue cheese dressing).
40. Cornbrat on-a-stick (bratwurst dipped in corndog batter)
41. Frozen fudge brownie on-a-stick
42. Ice cream cookie sandwich on-a-stick
43. Rock candy on-a-stick
44. Salad on-a-stick
45. Hard-boiled egg on-a-stick

Well, you get the idea. The stick is obviously very important to Iowans. Then there are the swine exhibits. With swine flu being such a worry, I won't be kissing any pigs. It will be exciting, though, to see which pigs win blue ribbons. Pigs are so cute and I love seeing the little pig houses dotting the landscape.

Please don't think I am poking fun. I really can't wait. Flat land beckons me and memories of playing with my cousins as a child and my grandma cupping my cheeks in her hands as she kissed me hello, makes visiting Iowa invaluable.

I'm not a true fan of musicals, but I intend to rent "State Fair" before my trip. Since the movie is based on the Iowa State Fair, it will surely put me in the festive mood. You can check out the 1945 movie at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038116/. For friends and family who read this, I hope to see you there.

Lovey