In this special edition of Talk of Iowa, IPR Arts and Culture reporter John Pemble and Executive Producer Katherine Perkins report on the sights and sounds of the 2014 Iowa State Fair. Listen as we attend the 75th annual photography salon and talk with the photographer who seeks to capture the spirit of the fair in his new book. We visit a food stand that's been serving pie and beef burgers to hungry fairgoers for 65 years, and witness the awarding of a blue ribbon for mechanical innovation on the farm. We'll milk a cow, learn about Herbert Hoover and listen to some bluegrass. It's all part of this year's Iowa State Fair.
Iowa State Fair 2014
Published August 13, 2014 at 11:30 AM CDT
1 of 26
This 25-foot tall replica of the figures in Grant Wood's "American Gothic," are capturing the attention of fairgoer and amateur photographers.
John Pemble
2 of 26
This 25-foot tall replica of the figures in Grant Wood's "American Gothic," are capturing the attention of fairgoer and amateur photographers.
John Pemble
3 of 26
A steady drizzle of rain falls during the first day of the 2014 Iowa State Fair. Attendance for the first 5 days of the fair was down 3% from last year.
Photo by John Pemble
4 of 26
A steady drizzle of rain falls during the first day of the 2014 Iowa State Fair. Attendance for the first 5 days of the fair was down 3% from last year.
Photo by John Pemble
5 of 26
Iowa State Fair manager and CEO Gary Slater standing on Expo Hill. He says the Cultural Center was just renovated and Pioneer Hall and Youth Inn will be improved between now and the next Fair.
Photo by John Pemble
6 of 26
Iowa State Fair manager and CEO Gary Slater standing on Expo Hill. He says the Cultural Center was just renovated and Pioneer Hall and Youth Inn will be improved between now and the next Fair.
Photo by John Pemble
7 of 26
Agtelligent’s Doug and Brent Applegate sitting with 18-year-old Paul Queck from Truro at the Ag Mechanics and Technology Show. Queck is the winner of the Innovation Award for inventing a cart designed to haul cattle show equipment.";
Photo by John Pemble
8 of 26
Agtelligent’s Doug and Brent Applegate sitting with 18-year-old Paul Queck from Truro at the Ag Mechanics and Technology Show. Queck is the winner of the Innovation Award for inventing a cart designed to haul cattle show equipment.";
Photo by John Pemble
9 of 26
85 year old former Governor Robert Ray is the first elected official to receive the Iowa State Fair’s “Iowan of the Day” award. ";s:3:
Photo by John Pemble
10 of 26
85 year old former Governor Robert Ray is the first elected official to receive the Iowa State Fair’s “Iowan of the Day” award. ";s:3:
Photo by John Pemble
11 of 26
Kim Strait shows people how to milk a cow at an Iowa State Fair exhibit managed by Iowa State University’s Dairy Science Club.";
Photo by John Pemble
12 of 26
Kim Strait shows people how to milk a cow at an Iowa State Fair exhibit managed by Iowa State University’s Dairy Science Club.";
Photo by John Pemble
13 of 26
Jerry Fleagle, Executive Director of the Hoover Foundation rides on a float modeled after a cargo ship that in 1914 delivered food to Belgium. The “Belgium Relief ” was chaired by Iowa-born businessman Herbert Hoover.";s:
Photo by John Pemble
14 of 26
Jerry Fleagle, Executive Director of the Hoover Foundation rides on a float modeled after a cargo ship that in 1914 delivered food to Belgium. The “Belgium Relief ” was chaired by Iowa-born businessman Herbert Hoover.";s:
Photo by John Pemble
15 of 26
Stephanie Raymie signs for deaf people at the Iowa State Fair’s Fun Forest stage. ";
Photo by Katherine Perkins
16 of 26
Stephanie Raymie signs for deaf people at the Iowa State Fair’s Fun Forest stage. ";
Photo by Katherine Perkins
17 of 26
One of the of the most popular foods at the Iowa State Fair is Porkchop on a Stick.
Photo by John Pemble
18 of 26
One of the of the most popular foods at the Iowa State Fair is Porkchop on a Stick.
Photo by John Pemble
19 of 26
The West Des Moines United Methodist Church has been feeding hungry fairgoers at the Iowa State Fair since 1949.
Photo by John Pemble
20 of 26
The West Des Moines United Methodist Church has been feeding hungry fairgoers at the Iowa State Fair since 1949.
Photo by John Pemble
21 of 26
Pella Wildlife Company C-E-O Ron DeArmond gives daily talks at the Iowa State Fair about wildlife in Iowa.
Photo by Katherine Perkins
22 of 26
Pella Wildlife Company C-E-O Ron DeArmond gives daily talks at the Iowa State Fair about wildlife in Iowa.
Photo by Katherine Perkins
23 of 26
Daily attendance during the Iowa State Fair ranges between 77,000 and 103,000 visitors, most of whom spend part of their day walking along the Grand Concourse.
Photo by John Pemble
24 of 26
Daily attendance during the Iowa State Fair ranges between 77,000 and 103,000 visitors, most of whom spend part of their day walking along the Grand Concourse.
Photo by John Pemble
25 of 26
Castle Ridge plays on the Pioneer Hall stage. The bluegrass trio from Tiffin have been together since 2006. Guitarist Mark Clark sings with his wife violinist Joy Ward, and bassist Roger Anderson.
Photo by John Pemble
26 of 26
Castle Ridge plays on the Pioneer Hall stage. The bluegrass trio from Tiffin have been together since 2006. Guitarist Mark Clark sings with his wife violinist Joy Ward, and bassist Roger Anderson.
Photo by John Pemble