Iowa State Fair, August 12-22

Iowa State Fair, August 12-22

This is a big damn fair, and we're planning to go: http://www.iowastatefair.com/

Hi,

I am going to Wisconsin (no specific date), Ohio (July 31), Illinois (August 15) and Indiana (August 17).

I have not yet been to Iowa, I would love your take on it. My area of interest is always the culinary competitions from baked goods to canned produce. When it comes to I eating, I especially like food provided by the Beef and Pork councils as wellas Iowa Ag tents. I find these 'local' once-a-year are cheaper and more interesting than the vendors who roam from fair to fair. I hope to get to Iowa next year.

Illinois State Fair is a hot bed in the corn dog department with multiple vendors using different cornmeal doughs.

Regards,

David Hammond wrote:Iowa State Fair, August 12-22

This is a big damn fair, and we're planning to go: http://www.iowastatefair.com/

We are heading to the Iowa State Fair this year ... and possibly the Minnesota State Fair in Minneapolis (which to date is my favorite).

Do remember that MegaBus now serves both Iowa City and Des Moines. So does Jefferson Express out of Rockford and Naperville. In either case. Hertz and Enterprise will pick you up from where the bus drops you off.

jlawrence01 wrote:Do remember that MegaBus now serves both Iowa City and Des Moines. So does Jefferson Express out of Rockford and Naperville. In either case. Hertz and Enterprise will pick you up from where the bus drops you off.

I love the idea of taking the Megabus to Des Moines. The Wife sez it's too expensive ($50 round trip for each of us) and the times are not perfect (!). I'd much prefer going by Megabus than by car. This is not over.

David Hammond wrote:

jlawrence01 wrote:Do remember that MegaBus now serves both Iowa City and Des Moines. So does Jefferson Express out of Rockford and Naperville. In either case. Hertz and Enterprise will pick you up from where the bus drops you off.

I love the idea of taking the Megabus to Des Moines. The Wife sez it's too expensive ($50 round trip for each of us) and the times are not perfect (!). I'd much prefer going by Megabus than by car. This is not over.

You won't be biking?

David Hammond wrote:I love the idea of taking the Megabus to Des Moines. The Wife sez it's too expensive ($50 round trip for each of us) and the times are not perfect (!). I'd much prefer going by Megabus than by car. This is not over.

Oh, Mr Hammond, you should have planned ahead. Of my many Megabus trips, only once or twice have I paid more than $5. The vast majority of my trips have been for $1 each way*. The best was my visit to Minneapolis last year. As usual, I paid only $1* but as I was getting off the bus in the Twin Cities I found a buck on the floor by the exit so that covered my transportation cost (I think jlawrence01 would be proud of me).

Start planning your fall trips!

* Plus a $0.50 reservation fee.

Rene G wrote:

David Hammond wrote:I love the idea of taking the Megabus to Des Moines. The Wife sez it's too expensive ($50 round trip for each of us) and the times are not perfect (!). I'd much prefer going by Megabus than by car. This is not over.

Oh, Mr Hammond, you should have planned ahead. Of my many Megabus trips, only once or twice have I paid more than $5. The vast majority of my trips have been for $1 each way*. The best was my visit to Minneapolis last year. As usual, I paid only $1* but as I was getting off the bus in the Twin Cities I found a buck on the floor by the exit so that covered my transportation cost (I think jlawrence01 would be proud of me).

Start planning your fall trips!

* Plus a $0.50 reservation fee.

You did well, Rene. Last week's trip to Minneapolis was $20 OW - and that was the overnight ride/ Fortunately, my wife was there on business and I could drive home in the company car. BTW, do not be seduced by the 2* LivInn Suites in Burnsville on Priceline for $20/ night. Not a nice place, especially when you can get a 3.5* near MOA for $35.

I will admit that the amount I overspent on transportation, I underspent on food as most of the meals were under $25 for two and were quite good.

Rene - since I am a bit off topic, I discovered another bus line that handles the Plains states out of Chicago, Rockford and Naperville - Jefferson Bus Lines out of MSP. The buses appear to be a lot more comfortable than Megabus.

Hi,

Speaking of comfort, last week there were people waiting for a bus at Union Station who were overcome by the heat. The moment I heard it, I guessed they were waiting for MegaBus. I later learned I was right. It is my understanding those waiting for MegaBus are not exactly welcome to Union Station to wait.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

Speaking of comfort, last week there were people waiting for a bus at Union Station who were overcome by the heat. The moment I heard it, I guessed they were waiting for MegaBus. I later learned I was right. It is my understanding those waiting for MegaBus are not exactly welcome to Union Station to wait.

Regards,

There is not a thing that the Union Station staff can do to MegaBus users should they decide to wait onside AS LONG AS they do NOT block the entrances. I will admit that the Amtrak officials/employees were outwardly hostile to MegaBus riders ... but that might be their usual demeanor.

Hi,

Are MegaBus passengers allowed to enter Union Station to wait?

Regards,

In a 2008 Sun-Times article Dave Hoekstra wrote:The departure point in Chicago is at Union Station on Canal between Jackson and Adams. It took me a while to find it. When I asked an Amtrak security guard for directions he snapped, "We have nothing to do with Megabus."

The folks at Union Station don't seem so cheery about Megabus camping out in front of their turf. A blue sign reads, "You have chosen a carrier that has not provided an indoor passenger waiting area for you. Amtrak and Chicago Union Station have no business relationship with 'Megabus' and cannot provide assistance unless patronizing Chicago Union Station establishments. Please wait outdoors for your bus."

This is your final clue you have reached the Megabus departure point.

Those were the good old days. Since the article was written the Megabus stop has been relocated a block south, to a desolate stretch of sidewalk with absolutely no protection from the elements. You get what you pay for.

Rene G wrote:Those were the good old days. Since the article was written the Megabus stop has been relocated a block south, to a desolate stretch of sidewalk with absolutely no protection from the elements. You get what you pay for.

If you have had the great opportunity to hang around many of the "finer" Greyhound terminals in the Midwest, you may find that you are protected from the WEATHER elements but you are also exposed to some of the grimier human elements (pimps, hookers, runaways, glueheads, etc). Those are not terminals that I am willing to pay for.

Last Thursday night, I entered into Union terminal, grabbed a cup of coffee at 9:45 PM and nursed it until 10:15 PM at which time, I walked the block south to the stop and climbed on the bus to Minneapolis.

I might be interested in Amtrak IF 1) they were ever on time out of Chicago and 2) if anyone at Union Station could answer a basic question.

Here is the very extensive list of food vendors:

http://www.iowastatefair.com/services/fooddirectory.php

jlawrence01 wrote:Here is the very extensive list of food vendors:

http://www.iowastatefair.com/services/fooddirectory.php

Nine vendors of Walking Tacos!

And the following is available on a stick:

1. Fair Square –New for Fair 2010
2. Chocolate-covered tiramisu on-a-stick–New for Fair 2010
3. Turtle mousse bar on-a-stick–New for Fair 2010
4. Strawberry cream bar on-a-stick –New for Fair 2010
5. Twinkie log on-a-stick (frozen Twinkie dipped in white chocolate and rolled in cashews) –New for Fair 2010
6. Octodog (hotdog in the shape of an octopus) –New for Fair 2010
7. Frozen s’more on-a-stick
8. Chocolate-dipped cake on-a-stick
9. Chicken club on-a-stick
10. Buffalo chicken on-a-stick
11. Chocolate-covered peanut butter round on-a-stick
12. Chocolate-covered key lime round on-a-stick
13. Carmellows on-a-stick
14. Pretzel rods dipped in caramel or chocolate
15. Pickle on-a-stick
16. Pork chop on-a-stick
17. Corn dog
18. Cheese on-a-stick
19. Cajun chicken on-a-stick
20. Sesame chicken on-a-stick
21. Carmel apple
22. German sausage on-a-stick
23. Teriyaki beef on-a-stick
24. Corn on the cob on-a-stick
25. Cotton candy
26. Veggie dog on-a-stick
27. Turkey drumstick
28. Nutty bar
29. Fried pickle on-a-stick
30. Hot bologna on-a-stick
31. Shrimp on-a-stick
32. Chicken on-a-stick
33. Monkey Tails (chocolate covered banana on-a-stick)
34. Taffy on-a-stick
35. Honey on-a-stick
36. Ice cream Wonder Bar
37. Deep fried Snickers bar on-a-stick
38. Deep fried Milky Way bar on-a-stick
39. Deep fried Twinkie on-a-stick
40. Lamb on-a-stick
41. Meatballs on-a-stick
42. Deep fried hoho on-a-stick
43. Fudge Puppy (waffle drenched in chocolate syrup and topped with whipped cream)
44. Chili Dog on-a-stick
45. Funtastick Pork on-a-stick
46. Dutch letters on-a-stick
47. Turkey tenders on-a-stick
48. Deep fried hot dog on-a-stick
49. Chocolate covered cheesecake on-a-stick
50. Potato Lollipop (4 thick slices of russet potato deep fried and on-a-stick with dipping sauces)
51. Pineapple on-a-stick (Fresh pineapple dipped in funnel cake batter and deep fried)
52. Chicken lips on-a-stick (breaded chicken breast smothered with hot sauce, served with blue cheese dressing).
53. Cornbrat on-a-stick (bratwurst dipped in corndog batter)
54. Chocolate covered Ice cream cookie sandwich on-a-stick
55. Rock candy on-a-stick
56. Salad on-a-stick
57. Hard-boiled egg on-a-stick

There must be a very good stick salesperson in Iowa!

Behold, the butter cow.

That's the 2010 butter cow at the Illinois State Fair. It's been a popular annual attraction since the 1920s so I assumed that Illinois could claim the first butter cow. But no, Iowa introduced theirs in 1911.

Turns out, Illinois wasn’t first with the dessert-sounding beef dish, either.

The Hot Beef Sundae was one of the best things I ate at the Iowa State Fair.

Rene G wrote:That's the 2010 butter cow at the Illinois State Fair. It's been a popular annual attraction since the 1920s so I assumed that Illinois could claim the first butter cow. But no, Iowa introduced theirs in 1911.

Ohio has had one since the 1920s also.
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/1999/0 ... _ends.html


The BEST PART of the Iowa State Fair was the State Fair Museum.

One thing that amazed me was the pictures of the hog competitions over the year. The winners in the 1915-1925 contests looked morbidly obese much like a pot belly pig. Recent winners look much more muscular and almost athletic.

Hi,

Missed the butter cow in Ohio due to timing. There was no butter cow in Indiana.

Indiana did offer a unique demonstration: a live surgical neutering of a cat or dog. All these animals are available for adoption. Unfortunately timing is everything. I came upon it at 7 pm to learn the next demo was the next day at 11 am.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Missed the butter cow in Ohio due to timing. There was no butter cow in Indiana. ,

Maybe I am jaded but a butter cow does not excite me all that much anymore. The only thing that impresses me a lot is the correct position of the mammary veins on the udder sack. It is a weird little detail that most would not notice. However, I have been on the back end of a lot of older dairy cows.

What really is exciting at the Iowa and the Nebraska State Fairs is the large number of 4-H oral presentations that are open to the general public. These kids give some great presentations and what they lack in polish they make up in raw enthusiasm. And they better be ready to answer some tough questions from the judges. (Never give a food presentation at the Iowa State Fair without being able to discuss the nutritional values of the food that you are demonstrating.

My favorite ever demonstration was at the 2008 Nebraska State Fair by a 12 year old demonstrating chemical reactions in the kitchen. I won't describe my favorite other than it involved a 4 inches of Menthos on a string plunged into a 3 liter bottle of Diet Coke.

At the Iowa fair, they had a number of activity booths where pairs of 4-H members (usually sisters) let people come up and be involved in making a craft or participating in an educational activity.

Hi,

I use the butter cow as an apple-apple comparison. There was a variant to the butter cow at the Indiana State Fair, which will eventually be presented.

I pretty much skip the sideshow, games and odd food. I like whatever is presented in the Ag tents as representative of state food productions. I like the beef, lamb and pork producer's food stands over anything.

While chocolate coated fried bacon seemed to catch some people's fancy. I was delighted to visit my friends R.G.W. Candy in Atlanta, IL who had a full slice of friend bacon coated in Blommer's dark chocolate for a whole dollar.

The more I go to these fairs, the more I search out the stuff that brought them to be in the first place: agriculture.

Regards,

jlawrence01 wrote:Maybe I am jaded but a butter cow does not excite me all that much anymore. The only thing that impresses me a lot is the correct position of the mammary veins on the udder sack.

Impressive, yes.

David Hammond wrote:

jlawrence01 wrote:Maybe I am jaded but a butter cow does not excite me all that much anymore. The only thing that impresses me a lot is the correct position of the mammary veins on the udder sack.

Impressive, yes.

I'm certainly not the one to judge but I wonder if Illinois doesn't come up second best in the rendering of the mammary veins on the udder sack of their butter cow.



This is the best photo of the Illinois butter-udder that I have. Unfortunately I failed to get a clear posterior view similar to what Hammond so beautifully captured.