Talented Sprouts Surprise Crowd in Iowa State Fair Talent Search
DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2014)(readMedia)-- Six talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 55th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, August 14, Friday, August 15, or Saturday, August 16.
The names, ages, hometowns and routines of the acts are:
Eli Smith, 11, Cedar Falls, Piano
Morgan Schroeder, 10, Burlington, Katie Stephens, 10 Burlington, Jazz/Acro Dance
Allison Koch, 12, Grimes, Vocal
Addie Sopha, 13, Cresco, Josie Sopha, 11, Cresco, Ella Sopha, 9, Cresco, Gwen Sopha, 8, Cresco, Vocal
Taylor Knaack, 12, Correctionville, Emma DeStigter, 11, Moville, Tap Dance
Zach Hein, 12, Walcott, Fiddle
Bill Riley, Jr. is once again hosting the competition. Two Sprout acts will be crowned champions every day of the semi-finals. The six winning acts will perform in the talent-packed championship set for Sunday, August 17, at 1:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi.
Each of the six Sprout Champions will receive a prize of $250 after the Championship Show. More than $18,000 will be awarded to the Senior and Sprout divisions combined. This year's contest is sponsored by Hy-Vee.
Outhouse Team Earns Number-One Spot in Iowa State Fair Contest
DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2014)(readMedia)-- The Afton Care Center Dribblers/Iowa Select Farms won the 11th annual Outhouse Races Tuesday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. Team Jason Winther, Jordan Winther, Jamie Peterson, and Misty Gettler were awarded $300 in cash for besting their competition in style and speed.
DMACC team members Keith Wersinger, Matt Walsh, Jay Tiefentahler, Dale Chell and Melody Riley took second place and earned $200. The team has competed every year of the competition.
Third place and $100 in cash went to The Real Deal team members Hannah, Abbi, Brittany and Amanda also won Best Outhouse. Best costume went to Urgent Business team members Steve Larson, Joyce Moreland, Corey Oelberg and Laurie McClannahan.
Teams, composed of three pushers and one driver, construct their own outhouses. During the race, teams push the outhouses to a toilet where the drivers must clean off the toilet seat without using their hands. Then the drivers search for a corn cob buried in a cattle trough, change a roll of toilet paper and return to the outhouses where the teams push them back to the starting point.
Monster Men and Women Compete in Iowa State Fair Contest
DES MOINES, IA (08/13/2014)(readMedia)-- Strong-armed men and women competed in five different weight classes in the Monster Arm Wrestling Tournament held Sunday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair.
First, second and third-place trophies were awarded in each class.
Complete results below:
MEN'S RIGHT
Flyweight
1) Kiefer Willis, Greenview, Ill.
2) Dustin Ohmstede, Newton
3) Jermaine Day, Des Moines
Lightweight
1) Jake Reed, Bussey
2) Todd Bolar, Marshalltown
3) Lavern Yoder, Zearing
Middleweight
1) JD Brittain, West Des Moines
2) Bobby Chance, Cambridge
3) Jake Willis, Des Moines
Heavyweight
1) Brian Willett, Muscatine
2) Branden Smith, Coon Rapids
3) Patrick Brown, Melcher-Dallas
Super Heavyweight
1) Brian Willett, Muscatine
2) Steven Aikin, Rhodes
3) Patrick Brown, Melcher-Dallas
MEN'S LEFT
Flyweight
1) Trent Todd, Washta
2) Dustin Olmstede, Newton
3) Mitch Todd, Papillion, Neb.
Lightweight
1) Jake Reed, Bussey
2) Mory Lassa, Fort Dodge
Middleweight
1) JD Brittain, West Des Moines
2) Bobby Chance, Cambridge
Heavyweight
1) Rob VanDerMolen, Des Moines
2) JD Brittain, West Des Moines
3) Jake Reed, Bussey
WOMEN'S RIGHT
Flyweight
1) Kelsey Reed, Mingo
2) Kara Rempe, Sioux City
Lightweight
1) Shawna Hartley, Nevada
2) Tiffany Davison, Middletown, Ill.
Middleweight
1) Heather Edwards, Washington
2) Kaylan Simmons, Casey
3) Riley Anderson, Kamrar
The contest was part of "Rural Americana Olde Tyme Competitions" in Farm Bureau Pioneer Hall. A first prize of $5 and ribbons were awarded to each class.
"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.
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