The iconic Iowa State Fair Sky Glider oversees the crowds of people enjoying fair fun. The Sky Glider turns 50 this year!
Iowa has the Midwest's second-largest State Fair. And deep-fried deviled eggs.
Sitting atop a gondola on the iconic Iowa State Fair Sky Glider, gazing around the 445 acres of fairground land, it is obvious—people absolutely love the Iowa State Fair.
This year’s 11-day fair in Des Moines is estimated to see over a million people celebrating Iowa’s agricultural tradition, enjoying entertainment, and, most importantly, trying a sampling of fried foods.
Think of any food, and a vendor at the fair has probably fried it. Deep-fried Oreos, a deep-fried bacon brisket mac-n-cheese grilled cheese, or deep-fried deviled eggs—there’s something fried for everyone. A deep-fried Uncrustable PB&J by The Bird’s Nest debuted this year as a semi-finalist in the Best New Food contest.
Photo Credit: Macey Shofroth / Arts Midwest
Fried Oreos are just one of the many classic options at this State Fair.
Visitors also see all types of livestock. A crowd gathered around to take pictures with Finnegan, the biggest boar the Iowa State Fair had ever seen.
The State Fair Butter Cow received a lot of attention, too. Since 1911, 600 pounds of butter has been sculpted into a dairy cow each year alongside a companion sculpture. This year, nighttime talk show celebrities Johnny Carson, Jimmy Fallon, and Steve Higgins, and the sky glider seat—which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year—shared the 40-degree cooler.
Photo Credit: Macey Shofroth / Arts Midwest
Steve Higgins and Jimmy Fallon take a sky glider ride in butter form. Higgins is an Iowa native and the host of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.
Photo Credit: Macey Shofroth / Arts Midwest
Finnegan—the largest boar the Iowa State Fair has ever seen—sleeps, unaware of his celebrity.
Photo Credit: Macey Shofroth / Arts Midwest
Lambs mingle in an agricultural building. The Iowa State Fair hosts many agriculture and farming related events and competitions.
Photo Credit: Macey Shofroth / Arts Midwest
Entries in the exhibitions seen at the Agriculture Building.
Photo Credit: Macey Shofroth / Arts Midwest
Steve Higgins and Jimmy Fallon take a sky glider ride in butter form. Higgins is an Iowa native and the host of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.
Photo Credit: Macey Shofroth / Arts Midwest
Finnegan—the largest boar the Iowa State Fair has ever seen—sleeps, unaware of his celebrity.
Photo Credit: Macey Shofroth / Arts Midwest
Lambs mingle in an agricultural building. The Iowa State Fair hosts many agriculture and farming related events and competitions.
Photo Credit: Macey Shofroth / Arts Midwest
Entries in the exhibitions seen at the Agriculture Building.
Photo Credit: Macey Shofroth / Arts Midwest
Steve Higgins and Jimmy Fallon take a sky glider ride in butter form. Higgins is an Iowa native and the host of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.
Photo Credit: Macey Shofroth / Arts Midwest
Finnegan—the largest boar the Iowa State Fair has ever seen—sleeps, unaware of his celebrity.
Photo Credit: Macey Shofroth / Arts Midwest
Lambs mingle in an agricultural building. The Iowa State Fair hosts many agriculture and farming related events and competitions.
Photo Credit: Macey Shofroth / Arts Midwest
Entries in the exhibitions seen at the Agriculture Building.
My last stop at the fair was the Agriculture Building, to check out the entries for the floral, horticulture, fruits, and vegetables exhibits. From a wall full of corn stalks to plates full of grapes to owls crafted from pine cones, this space is a testament to all that I love about Iowa—our hard work, passion, and genuine love for what we do.
Photo Credit: Macey Shofroth / Arts Midwest
A display of submissions and prize-winning corn—Iowa’s top crop—at the Agriculture Building during the Iowa State Fair.
No matter what adventure you choose at the Iowa State Fair, one thing is for certain: this is a space for everyone, from all walks of life, to come together over food, drink, and fun to celebrate Iowa life.