The Midwestern state of Iowa is unlikely to figure in a casual conversation about the USA. It is worth noting however, that Iowa contributes more than 10 billion dollars worth of agricultural output to the US economy annually. For starters, it accounts for 19 and 17 percent of the nation’s total corn and soybean production respectively. It is also one of the leading producers of dairy, meat and poultry products in the country. Incidentally, Iowa also happens to be the birthplace of Norman Ernest Borlaug, renowned agricultural scientist and Nobel laureate. He is often referred to as the pioneer of the “Green Revolution” in developing countries like India and Mexico; and saving the world from an imminent food crisis in the middle of the last century. It is then perhaps, only fitting that this state hosts one of the largest annual agricultural expositions in the world. Held at the Fairgrounds of Des Moines, the annual Iowa State Fair is a showcase of the state’s success in the field of agriculture. In 2006, the fair was held from 10th to the 20th of August; and it witnessed a record attendance of more than a million visitors.
The first Iowa State Fair was held at Fairfield, a town in southeast Iowa in 1854. In the subsequent years, the fair had different venues throughout the state. Finally in 1878, it was held in Des Moines, the state capital and the venue has remained unchanged ever since. For the past 150 years the fair has remained a tradition; a platform for the farming community to showcase their achievements. Since its inception, the fair has seen only two interruptions, the first being in 1898, when the event was cancelled due to the Spanish- American war. Again from 1942 through 1945, the fair could not be held due to World War II. Today, the fair is deemed a “National Cultural Event”. The state of Iowa hosts one of the earliest Presidential caucuses in the United States. Therefore it is not surprising to find presidential candidates during years when elections are due.
In keeping with its agro-centric character, the fair is a showcase of livestock, fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products. A high volume of livestock sales is also registered at the fair each year. Among the several popular contests held in the livestock category are those for the biggest animals—boar, rabbit, bull and ram. Other animals brought for exhibition and trade include beef and dairy cattle, sheep, goats, dogs and cats. Some of the traditional games and contests would surely remind someone from Asom of the “Khel-Dhemali” held during Bihu. Traditional competitions include rooster crowing, sheep shearing, pigeon racing, turkey, duck, and chicken calling, wood chopping, pie eating, arm wrestling, banjo, fiddle, accordion, harmonica, mandolin and piano playing, and backgammon, chess, cribbage, and checkers tournaments. These are very popular among visitors. Music is another eagerly awaited part of the fair. Over the years, it has hosted a variety of concerts—from amateur performers to internationally acclaimed bands and singers. The Fairground Grandstand, with a capacity of about 10,000 people is the venue for these musical extravaganzas. Some popular artists who have performed at the fair include Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Beach Boys, the Eagles, Cher, Elton John, Brooks and Dunn. This year, soft rock artist James Taylor enthralled a capacity crowd. Among the amateur bands were several country music performers and “tribute” bands, which serenaded popular numbers of yesteryear’s bands like the Beatles.
The Bill Riley Talent Show is another attraction here. This event started in 1957, when radio celebrity Bill Riley Sr., hosted a talent competition for Iowans between 2 and 21 years of age. About a hundred hopefuls from all over the state participate in this talent hunt every year. Over the years, the event picked up in popularity and became a regular feature at the fair. Riley Sr. retired in 1996, and his son, Bill Riley Jr., has been hosting it ever since.
The butter sculptures of Norma “Duffy” Lyon are major crowd pullers at the fair. Since her first butter sculpture in 1960, Lyon has created replicas of different breeds of dairy cows, vehicles, prominent personalities and events. She has even contrived a butter version of Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece, the last supper. All of her sculptures are life-size, and made with an amazing attention to detail. Lyon’s works have been featured in both national and international media. She has appeared in Jay Leno’s the “Tonight Show”, as well as in “Late Night”, hosted by David Letterman. This year’s attractions were Superman, Elvis Presley, Bill Riley Sr. and a Holstein Friesian cow.
An exhibition, featuring the state’s farm produce, also made visitors aware of the research projects in the field of agriculture. Notable among these is the Corn Genome Project. The Iowa State University is one of the four participating institutions countrywide in this prestigious venture, sponsored by the National Science Foundation. In addition to being a major food crop, corn holds a lot of promise in solving some of the world’s energy problems. Genome sequencing will enable researchers to prepare a “genetic blueprint”, and help in the understanding of the impact of each gene in the life of the organism. This in turn, will help develop varieties of corn, customized to suit specific requirements. The project involves use of enormous amounts of genetic data and supercomputers to implement complex sequencing algorithms.
This year, two exotic animal shows attracted crowds by the hundreds. The first was the alligator show by Florida based Paul “Kachunga” and his team. The other was titled “Indian Tigers”. In addition to being entertaining, these shows help create awareness about conservation programs for endangered species like the alligator and the tiger.
The fair is also a good place for cheap, lip-smacking food. Be it barbeque, corn-dogs, or sweet goodies, the eats are fresh and the helpings usually large. This is an ideal place for those who like their platters good and full.
The Iowa State Fair is definitely a worthwhile experience in enjoyment and education. It reiterates the fact that agriculture is a fundamental pillar of a nation’s economic prowess.
Contributed by Harsha Phukan, Creston, Iowa.
[Harsha received the Best Student Poster Paper award from the 2005 American Society for Nondestructive Testing conference in Columbus, Ohio, for his research into detecting defects in friction-stir welds. - Editor]
- Log in to post comments