The First Official Iowa State Fair Meme-On-A-Stick!
Posted on August 8, 2007 in Entertainment, Events, Memes by DM
I don’t know exactly why I love the State Fair… it’s always scorching hot, the food is bad for you, and it’s a lot of damn walking. But, it’s also one of the “1,000 Places to See Before You Die” according to travel author Patricia Schultz. And as a lifelong Iowan, I believe it’s quite simply sacrilege to skip the Fair.
So here’s the deal: I’m creating a State Fair Meme-On-A-Stick, and I’m tagging a few of you but inviting all to participate*.
The question for Meme-On-A-Stick is:
What are your favorite memories (or single memory) of the Iowa State Fair?
For the record, I’m officially tagging these bloggers to reply:
Mom of ‘Em
Around Des Moines
Beat Canvas
Carpe Factum
Connecting in College
Converstations
Designs by Heather Manning
Drew’s Marketing Minute
Moments of Clarity
Passing It On
WDM Mommy & Designer
BUT - Everyone is welcome and encouraged to play!! Just post a Comment with your recollection(s) below. Or, if you have a blog, write a separate post there and then link back to this post at http://www.dmweblife.com/2007/08/08/statefairmeme/.
“Sounds Like Fun,” right??
*(For anyone unfamiliar with the term, a “meme” is where one blogger asks a question, and then “tags” or prompts other selected bloggers to answer it. The tagged bloggers, and any others who want to participate, either post their answer in the Comments or write a post to link back from their own blog.)
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12 comments to “The First Official Iowa State Fair Meme-On-A-Stick!”
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Fair memories…oh…so sweet! My first internship in college was at the Iowa State Fair in the marketing department. I was a fairly (ha ha - “FAIRly” get it) young intern - 19 at the time - and had qualified for the Bill Riley Talent Competition prior to being hired as an intern. So, right smack in the middle of Fair time (which, by the way is CRAZY NUTS if you are working there — in before the sun rises - out after the sun sets) - I’m writing news releases, answering media questions and then bam! quick wardrobe change and out the door to the Bill Riley stage to perform. So fun! I didn’t win - didn’t even come close - but it was a thrill….the whole experience. A great bunch of people work at the Fair year-round and put in a LOT of hard work and long hours to make Iowa’s State Fair the BEST State Fair. I have been 8 or 9 months pregnant for 3 of the Fairs in the last 12 years…where the only thing I want on a stick is my husband - because at this stage of the game - when it is 110 in the shade - it is clearly all his fault.
I ask all of you - when at the Fair this year - to notice the poor pregnant women - make sure they have a spot in the shade - let them ahead of you in the line for the restroom or the beverage cart - and then be glad you aren’t them. =-)
I recall going to the fair with my older sister years ago, and later on with my date and her girlfriend. We would check out the various rides on the midway, look at the farm animals and watch some of the shows which took place. On the other hand, when my father took us to the fair, he always parked in at a hardware store to the west of the fairgrounds (which I thought was a ripoff).
The improvements to the fair were long overdue–the air-conditioning and restoreation of the various buildings, the addition of the historical village, the plaza with the water fountain for the children and the like. But I think much remains to be done. How about more transit services which would serve those who need help walking around the fairgrounds, for example?
There should also be more choices for those who intend to eat healthy. More and more, people are trying to keep their fat intake down and their weight under control. Alas, to many food vendors, the idea of eating healthy at the Iowa State Fair still seems to be an oxymoron.
Finally, there should be more entertainment for the young folks. It’d be nice to see some of today’s entertainers on the lines of Beyonce or Puff Diddy.
Oh - one more Fair memory…as an Illinois Farm Kid - we didnt have a lot of money. In fact, the ONLY vacations I remember as a kid were trips to the State Fair. I didn’t realize until I was older that people actually stayed in hotels when they traveled to the Fair. I thought it was normal to pop a cot and sleep next to the hogs. LOL.
I’m a 1 year Fair Veteran…since we moved here in October of 2005. My memories from year 1 include:
1. Seeing people I knew (which meant Iowa felt like home)
2. Beer going down like water and emerging as sweat.
3. Fried Oreo’s with icing and nut logs
4. People watching. Ohhhh the people watching.
5. The largest most endowed HOG I’ve ever seen. (Footballs?)
I stopped going to the fair when I was in my early 20’s. But then I got married and had kids. For the last 6 years we have spent a good 2-3 days each year at the Iowa State Fair. And we still don’t get around to seeing everything! Favorite food: Porkchop on a stick!!!! There’s also a vendor just east of the administration building on the grand concourse that serves an unreal pork tips with mushrooms and onions! I could go on and on about the food. It’s the one time of year that I don’t worry about the food not being good for me.
The wife and kids are going tomorrow, Aug. 10th, but I won’t be there until next week because I’ll be out-of-town. But on Aug. 17th I’ll be there!!!! AAALLL DAY!!! If you see me, wave HELLO!
I’m with Brent..its mostly about the food, however, as a kid my parents usedd to take us to Grandstand acts. We saw all kind of acts inluding, Heart, BTO, Osmonds, Chicago (like 5 times), I could go on and on. Also my Granmda had a stand at the fair so for many years I worked for her. The past few years we have been wrapped us in the Bill Riley Talent Search. Paige was a Sprout Champion 2 summers ago as part of a Tap Quartet. She said that was the best day of her life. Well she isnt’ tapping this year but she is till competing and will be there on Saturday twirling baton..so if your at the fair around 1 on Saturday stop and cheer here on.
Oh, yeah..did I mention its all about the food!@!
Brent and Kim, THANK YOU for stopping in, I’m so glad you did! Brent, I *will* be there on the 17th in fact - it’s our “summer outing day” at work. I’ll look for ya - you’ll be the one in the shorts and t-shirt, right??
Kim… I also used to work at the Fair… first food stands, then later in the Admissions Office managing the schedules for the ticket sellers and ticket takers. It was a blast!
Doug - ditto on the endowed hog… LOL… he’s usually housed in the “Avenue of Breeds” building which is a great one for us city folk because you can see a little of everything there as far as animals.
Jodi, glad you finally discovered the hotels! LOL And - when you worked in the publicity office, did you work for Kathie Swift? She is a very good friend of mine from the East Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. Back when I had a freelance graphics business, I put together a State Fair history book for her - that project was a lot of fun!
And Joel - I never thought about the fact that they don’t have many soul/hip-hop acts… I will admit to being a country fan though - I remember one year I got tickets to see Willie Nelson, and I took my mom! She liked Willie a lot, but I sort of sprung it on her last-minute. She was a really good sport about it. Are there any shows you’re going to this year?
Sure glad to read all the entries here!
DM -
Yes! Great friend of KS….but have sort ot lost track of her this last year-year/1/2. I was an intern the same year Jacquie was an intern…and then of course she went on to work there quite awhile. Now I”m digging around your site trying to find your name and picture…wondering if we’ve crossed paths. If you see Kathie - tell her to give me a shout!
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I got my MeMe done.
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