Iowa State Fair Food Department Adds 31 New Contests
DES MOINES, IA (08/08/2016)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair hosts the largest food department of any state fair and continues to grow with 31 new food contests at the Elwell Family Food Center. "MY State Fair" 2016 is August 11-21.
Several notable contests will be making an appearance at this year's Fair including The Great Purple Cupcake Project, Flavored Homemade Marshmallows, Best Dry Rub, Neubrands' World's Greatest Steak Contest, and Energy Snacks for the Field.
The Great Purple Cupcake Project, which takes place Saturday, August 13 at 2 p.m. in the Elwell Family Food Center, is sponsored by Anita Kaufmann Foundation. The contest winner will receive a $300 cash prize, be published in Dessert Professional magazine and featured in the Foundation's marketing materials.
Neubrand's World's Greatest Steak Contest is sponsored by Plymouth Feed Co. and Sioux Cattle Gates in memory of long-time Fair Board Member, Bill Neubrand, and will be held on Friday, August 12 at 2 p.m. in the Elwell Family Food Center. The contest winner will receive a $500 cash prize.
Food sampling will be on August 21 at 1 p.m. in the Elwell Family Food Center.
Over 9,925 entries have been submitted to the Iowa State Fair Food Department for judging. They are divided into 203 divisions and 809 classes. More than $72,700 worth of premiums will be given out in this department during the Fair. There will also be 649 exhibitors featured in the food department. For a list of daily food contests, visit www.iowastatefair.org
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Paint the Fair on Expo Hill During the Great Iowa State Fair
DES MOINES, IA (08/08/2016)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation will be hosting the ultimate social painting class at the Iowa State Fair to help ensure a colorful future for the Fair. Every day during the 2016 Iowa State Fair, Messy Missy's will be on Expo Hill for Fairgoers to experience the Fair in a way never before. Participants can create everything from a campsite to their favorite livestock all with a stroke of a paint brush.
The Iowa State Fair has several iconic features. Some of them include the butter cow, the campgrounds, the Ye Old Mill, livestock, gardening competitions, the Giant Slide and more. Join in and paint a favored part of the Fair every day at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. There will be no class Tuesday, August 16 or the morning of Thursday, August 18. The final painting schedule is available on our website, www.BlueRibbonFoundation.org. With 7 paintings to select from, there's sure to be one to strike a creative chord.
Advance registration is now available at www.BlueRibbonFoundation.org under events. Onsite registration is available a half hour before the class starts or you can register for a class at the Foundation's merchandise trailer located on Grand Avenue, by the northwest corner of the Administration building. There is space for up to 40 painters at each class.
All proceeds from the painting class are dedicated to Our Fair's Future, the Blue Ribbon Foundation's endowment fund. As the endowment grows, it will provide a reliable source of funding for future renovations and maintenance improvements to the fairgrounds, ensuring the Fair will be a grand tradition for generations to come.
The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $120 million for the renovation and preservation of the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds.
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Iowans Receive High Honors in State Fair Fine Arts Competition
DES MOINES, IA (08/08/2016)(readMedia)-- The top artists from across the country put their skills to the test at the Fine Arts competition judged prior to the start of the 2016 Iowa State Fair.
The three-judge panel evaluated more than 606 pieces of art. Of those, only 380 were accepted into the art show. These entries will be on display throughout the Fair on the third floor of the Patty and Jim Cownie Cultural Center from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every Fair day.
Kyle Landas of Marshalltown won Best of Show in the adult division.
Results below:
Adult - Acrylic/Tempera
1) Breanna Kixmiller, Walnut
2) Justin Young, Urbandale
3) Lonnie Carter, Des Moines
Honorable Mention) Curt Peterson, Des Moines
Honorable Mention) Kaitlin Flury, Des Moines
Honorable Mention) Becky Baack, Carlisle
Adult - Drawings
1) Jennifer Hunt, Winterset
2) Michael De Jong, Des Moines
3) Sofia Jordan, West Des Moines
Honorable Mention) Brittany Naumann, Kamrar
Honorable Mention) Sara Burrier, Des Moines
Honorable Mention) Jennifer Hunt, Winterset
Adult - Digital
1) Candace Camling, Des Moines
2) Sarah Hedlund, Lone Tree
Adult - Fiber
1) Rebecca Abarr, Redding
2) Jennifer Messer, Norwalk
3) Sandi Rieber, Huxley
Honorable Mention) Samantha McFarland, Clinton
Adult - Glass
1) Art Ciccotti, Ames
2) Amy Mueggenberg, Marion
3) John Byerly, State Center
Honorable Mention) Art Ciccotti, Ames
Adult - Jewelry
Honorable Mention) Erin Atchison, Des Moines
Honorable Mention) Kerri Avery, Salem
Honorable Mention) Erin Atchison, Des Moines
Adult - Mixed Media
1) Jody Valentine, Windsor Heights
2) Tonja Ihlenfeldt, Mason City
3) Corey Burnett-Hanssen, Des Moines
Honorable Mention) Amber Deerr, Altoona
Honorable Mention) William Zitterich, Ames
Honorable Mention) Danna Fruetel, Newton
Adult - Oil Painting
1) Caylin Graham, Ogden
2) Del Swartzendruber, Monticello
3) Mattea Whetstone, Ames
Honorable Mention) Steven Winkelman, Van Meter
Honorable Mention) Jason Welch, Waterloo
Honorable Mention) Chris Abigt, Ottumwa
Honorable Mention) Svetlana Van Wyk, Sully
Honorable Mention) Steve McCoy, Indianola
Adult - Pastels
1) Marina Van Leeuwen, Ames
2) Nancy Thompson, Ames
3) Pamela Douglas, Clive
Honorable Mention) Margaret Askelsen, Clarion
Honorable Mention) Dianne Liepa, Indianola
Honorable Mention) Caryn Kepford, Winterset
Honorable Mention) Martin Dunn, Des Moines
Adult - Pottery
1) Teri Breck, Johnston
2) Jim Hubbartt, Adel
3) Gary Huffman, Des Moines
Honorable Mention) Sha7ron Nelson hyphen Vaux, Altoona
Adult - Hand Pulled Prints
1) Sarah Hutchison, Des Moines
2) Benjamin Calvert, Villa Park, Ill.
Adult - Sculpture
1) William Close, New Hartford
2) Mitzi Alexander, Nevada
3) Sha7ron Nelson hyphen Vaux, Altoona
Honorable Mention) Lisa M. Williams, Lisbon
Honorable Mention) Jeff Nemechek, Dayton
Adult - Watercolor
1) Sarah Johnson, Carlisle
2) Richard Hanson, Fort Dodge
3) Joan Gordon, Kalona
Honorable Mention) John Shymanski, Carroll
Honorable Mention) Justin Young, Urbandale
Honorable Mention) Jane Baty, Ames
Honorable Mention) Jessica Peugh, Des Moines
Honorable Mention) Richard Parker, Madrid
Adult - Best of Show
1) Kyle Landas, Marshalltown
Junior - Awards
1) Katheryn Kapfer, Johnston
2) Amy Liau, Iowa City
3) Allison Su, Ankeny
4) Alysa S. Zhou, Ankeny
5) Edward Keen, Iowa City
Youth - Awards
1) Crystal Wen, Iowa City
2) Callista Presnall, Bondurant
3) Emily Steward, Waukee
4) William Feng, Iowa City
5) Carrie Norton, Des Moines
Youth - Special Pottery Award
1) Anna Owenson, Des Moines
Youth - Special Watercolor Award
1) Elizabeth Klawonn, Evansdale
The Iowa State Fair is home to the state's largest art show, largely due to the success of the Fine Arts competition that takes place each year.
Photographers Shoot for the Top Prize in Iowa State Fair Competition
DES MOINES, IA (08/08/2016)(readMedia)-- Photographers from around the country submitted their best work into the Photography Salon competition judged prior to the start of the 2016 Iowa State Fair.
Paul Grillo of Des Moines won Best of Show in the Adult competition, and Sarah Estes of Clive won Best of Show in the Youth category.
The theme for this year's contest, "Fog," asked entrants to create and capture dramatic images that were taken in the fog that would excite and inspire other photographers and visitors at the Iowa State Fair. Over 3000 entries were judged. The Photography entries will be on display on the third floor of the Patty and Jim Cownie Cultural Center each Fair day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
ADULT DIVISION: BLACK & WHITE
Theme - Fog
1) Jim Grace, Albany, Mo.
2) Deb Shoning, West Des Moines
3) Amanda Royce-Hale, Des Moines
People
1) Carylann Mucha, Urbandale
2) Mike Hiatt, Des Moines
3) Barb A. Earles, Urbandale
Places & Landscapes
1) Diane Michaud Lowry, Ames
2) Jeremiah Martin, Des Moines
3) Nancy Kruskop, Ankeny
Things & Still Life
1) Sherry Schons, Marion
2) Scott Fairbairn, Prairie City
3) Robert Hartung, Bettendorf
Plants, Flowers & Trees
1) Tim Jensen, Missouri Valley
2) Ken DePue, Grimes
3) Pam Kacmarynski, Urbandale
Animals, Insects & Wildlife
1) Robert Burger, Branford, Conn.
2) Nikki Herbst, Iowa City
3) Mark Gromko, Iowa City
ADULT DIVISION: COLOR
Theme - Fog
1) Shandy Mikkelsen, Des Moines
2) Sharon Wiese, Granger
3) Krista Long, Des Moines
People
1) Charlotte Hubbell, Des Moines
2) Anne Wetzel, Altoona
3) Katie Evans, Des Moines
Iowa Places & Landscapes
1) Meenakshi Van Zee, Waukee
2) Rod DePenning, Newton
3) Jeremiah Martin, Des Moines
USA Places & Landscapes
1) Tim McAdam, Fairfax
2) Jim Grace, Albany, Mo.
3) Mark George, Marshalltown
International Places & Landscapes
1) Justin Rogers, West Des Moines
2) John Donelson, Iowa City
3) Kyle Kephart, Carlisle
Things & Still Life
1) Michelle Jones, Afton
2) Barb McGraw, Ankeny
3) Robert Bannon, Montgomery, Ill.
Plants, Flowers & Trees
1) Amanda Breon, Hedrick
2) Jenna Watts, North Liberty
3) Shari Miller, Polk City
Animals, Insects & Wildlife
1) John Giese, Carlisle
2) Anne S. Olson, Muscatine
3) Eric Williamson, Des Moines
PHOTO AWARDS
Best of Color (Adult)
1) Celine Hartwig, Iowa City
Best of Black & White (Adult)
1) Shari Miller, Polk City
Superintendent's Choice (Adult - Color)
1) Jim Grace, Albany, Mo.
Superintendent's Choice (Adult - B&W)
1) Larry Mendenhall, Altoona
Best of Color (Youth)
1) William Crow, Ames
Best of Black & White (Youth)
1) Haley Yordanoff, Pleasant Hill
Superintendent's Choice (Youth - Color)
1) Faraz Mohd, Ankeny
Superintendent's Choice (Youth - B&W)
1) Jared Oosterhuis, Des Moines
SPECIAL DIVISION: B&W OR COLOR
Anything Goes!
1) Terri Dermody, Des Moines
2) Bob Wood, Fort Dodge
3) Kyle Shade, Pella
Toned, Tinted & Solarized
1) Larry Headley, Elkhorn, Neb.
2) Ryno W. Olson, Muscatine
3) Tom Bos, Des Moines
Infrared
1) Krister Strandskov, Des Moines
2) Ron Meyer, Cedar Rapids
3) Sean Schneider, Des Moines
High Dynamic Range
1) Kyle Shade, Pella
2) Jacob Fiscus, Carroll
3) Jeff Oakley, Audubon
Fairs, Festivals & Parades
1) Rich Abrahamson, Ogden
2) Harlen Persinger, Grundy Center
3) Don Guthrie, Fort Dodge
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
1) Debbie Bates, Greenfield
2) Nancy Alt, Ames
3) Rose Trafford, Vinton
Architecture
1) Terri Dermody, Des Moines
2) Barb A. Earles, Urbandale
3) Jody Valentine, Windsor Heights
Family Farm
1) Diane Michaud Lowry, Ames
2) Mike Tice, Des Moines
3) Crystal Newcomb, Des Moines
Sports
1) Terry Van Oort, Ankeny
2) Keith Gillett, Belleville, Ill.
3) Ryan Vernon, West Des Moines
Panoramic
1) Mike Amfahr, Des Moines
2) Chris Boeke, Altoona
3) Marla Henry, Cedar Rapids
YOUTH DIVISION: B&W OR COLOR
Theme - Fog
1) Daniel Nielsen, West Des Moines
2) Anna Zielke, Huxley
3) Briana Garcia, Wayland
People
1) Sarah Estes, Clive
2) AJ Gill, Altoona
3) Grace Long, Sheldahl
Places & Landscapes
1) Nicholas Teig, Jewell
2) Ashley Sartell, Runnells
3) Elias James, Des Moines
Things & Still Life
1) Alexa Merida-Seifer, Des Moines
2) Grace Oliver, West Des Moines
3) Parker DePond, Adel
Plants, Flowers & Trees
1) Morgan Fort, Cedar Falls
2) Katie Perkins, Johnston
3) Kurt Sernett, Kelley
Animals, Insects & Wildlife
1) Tawnie Schultz, West Des Moines
2) Grace Long, Sheldahl
3) Katie Oosterhuis, Des Moines
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Frequently ranked as one of the top events in the country, the Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair located at East 30th and East University, just 10 minutes from downtown Des Moines is Iowa's greatest celebration with a salute to the best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement. "Nothing Compares" to the 2016 Iowa State Fair, August 11-21, 2016. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.
