'don't miss it don't even be late'

My siblings and I grew up watching (or being forced to watch) any and all classic musicals.  I guess that is what happens when your mother was a theatre major.  But like many things I scoffed at when I was young and stupid (ok, so now I am just old and stupid) I actually have come to appreciate the level of cultural knowledge and background these classics gave me growing up.  I will never think of a state fair without hearing my Dad break into "our state fair is a great state fair, don't miss it don't even be late" from the 1945 classic State Fair. I also vaguely remember a scene about singing to an incredibly huge pig. So when Jason's parents suggested we all go to the Iowa State Fair I was so excited I admit I almost peed my pants and much to everyone's dismay started singing.  We drove to Des Moines and spent the day at the Iowa State fair.  It was a first folks and it was awesome.  Family adventures, mullets, jorts, fried things on sticks, oversized animals, apple cider donuts, a butter cow, tractors, and way too many sweaty people crammed into one place.  What is not to love?


"oh, that is why it smells like poo poo" My children are very astute and observant.

in the kid's area they go to be farmers


there was a building where the kids could SEE baby chickens hatching and live animals being born. Yeah that part was intense!  I cannot even imagine how they know and can time all that.  I can barely time using the veggies in my fridge before they go bad. We all saw a lamb being born and in case you did not have a front row seat to watch every detail they projected the birth on huge flat screens all over the building (poor mama sheep).....this was Jason reaction...

Silas later reflected "my favorite part of the day was when the sheep hatched out of it's mama." Too cute!

of all the attractions at the fair Evy & Joshua LOVED the hand dryers in the bathroom....hilarious!

Jason decided to get the full fair experience he had to try the most twisted, disgusting yet intriguing thing on the menu....fried butter (only in America!)

and speaking of butter....

We saw the famous butter cow! I may have squealed a tiny bit.

the fair was HUGE and there was lots to see and lots of walking. By the end of the day our troops were a bit exhausted.

I can confirm that "our state fair is a great state fair, don't miss it don't even be late!!" Jason already started making fried snickers plans for next time.  If you have never been: Go! If you have been spill what your fave experience was...