2012 Iowa State Fair!

**IMGreat101** · 07-14-12, 11:31 AM

Iowa State Fair | Nothing Compares

Less than one month away! Anyone up for a tour of the fair? There are plenty of new fair foods to try!

German chocolate funnel cakes available at The Best Around on the Triangle.

Carrot cake funnel cakes and blue sapphire funnel cakes from Westmoreland Concessions, located south of the Riley Stage.

One of my favorites, Quesadilla Junction, is bringing another food booth.

Caribbean-style crab fritters available at Ollie’s Crab Fritters

http://www.kcci.com/news/central-iow...z/-/index.html

I hope to be visiting a few of the vendors before the fair opens!

Stay tuned!

**IMGreat101** · 07-14-12, 11:43 AM

Some of the free music.

Bob Dorr and The Blue Band

Home | HERE COME THE MUMMIES Official Site

War The Band Official Web Site - Home Page

There are many more local bands playing throughout the fairgrounds. Some of the areas best.

**IMGreat101** · 07-25-12, 04:08 PM

a hot dog wrapped in bacon, deep fried, then dipped in bacon bit-enriched batter and deep fried again.

Read more: Will you try this new State Fair food? | Local News - KCCI Home

**IMGreat101** · 08-07-12, 08:46 AM

Last week I went out to the fairgrounds to see how the set up was progressing.

The carnival area. A few of the smaller rides were being set up.

The Triangle area.

This is where I made the remoulade sauces from ingredients found at various food stands around the fair. This year I have a plan for a shrimp dish.

**Jenna** · 08-07-12, 08:47 AM

Those swirly yellow circles on the merry-go-round are going to make some people pretty dizzy!

**IMGreat101** · 08-07-12, 08:53 AM

The Bud Tent.

Looking west on Grand Ave.

Jalapeno Pete's

Looking south on Rock Island Ave.

Some of the food vendors on Rock Island Ave. across from The Triangle. Crescentis has one of the best sandwiches.

**IMGreat101** · 08-07-12, 09:03 AM

The big marble earth outside the John Deere Agriculture building.

Inside.

The Buttercow

They are still working on the feature butter sculpture. There are seven little figures. Can you guess what they are?

The Administration building.

**IMGreat101** · 08-07-12, 09:58 AM

The most unique food and drink stop a the Iowa State Fair is Steer N Stein. Stan Kanovich has operated this state fair landmark for 42 years. His Dad started it in the same location in 1964.

One of the interesting features is the three food areas.
The outside has a "walk by" area where the workers hawk items like smoked turkey legs, sausage and pulled pork sandwiches.

One of the indoor food services has some Mexican themed food. This is where Stan custom built a iced tea machine that brews the tea directly into refrigeration. This ensures that your iced tea does not get diluted when added to an iced cup. Behind this area is where you can get a great steak dinner.

The most unique beer dispensing system. Look closely, it is half of a garage door. These get put into service at night and on weekends during the fair.

There are two old skyglider chairs at the front of Steer N Stein. These were originally ski lift chairs that were purchased for the Iowa State Fair Skyglider. When they replaced these years back, Stan bought two. You can see many a fair goer stopping here for a photo op.

I talked with Stan about the food at the fair, "There are only two kinds of food, good, and bad. There is no bad food." Stan's favorite food at the fair is the Gyros. His favorite Steer N Stein food is the softshell taco. They make their own taco meat with a recipe he developed.
One of my favorite local bands plays here during the fair. The HOLD ON Band
Steer N Stein seats approximately 250 people and employs seventy full time people the entire fair.
I will definitely be stopping here for great food and drink!

**IMGreat101** · 08-15-12, 08:56 AM

WARNING: What you are about to witness is being performed by a trained professional. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS AT YOUR STATE FAIR!

**Buttercup** · 08-15-12, 11:57 AM

**IMGreat101** · 08-16-12, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Just now got home from the fair. Teh count so far.

2 double bacon corn dogs
southern bbq nachos
crab fritters
spicy fried pickle dawg with pastrami
4 loin back ribs
beef brisket
smoked pork loin
cheese and wine

A little slow for the first day. I did not arrive until a little after noon.
Tomorrow my day at the fair starts at 8:45 a.m.

**pgg** · 08-16-12, 01:37 AM

damnit!!!! I'm not a proffesional

**Buttercup** · 08-16-12, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by pgg

damnit!!!! I'm not a proffesional

I disagree. I think you're more of a professional than me or IM! I have seen you eat!!!

**IMGreat101** · 08-16-12, 09:24 PM

Note: Over one hundred and fifty pictures the first two days.

Second day: My brother, sister and her six year old son joined me today. This slowed things up a bit as we had to stop often and play with or on things.

The count today.

The new "Nothing Spared Fair Square" ( a jumped up version of a rice crispie treat.
Steak and egg quesadilla
Jenny Grinder Italian Sausage Sandwich
Fried Cheese curds
German chocolate funnel cake
Crescenti sandwich with ham, capicola, salami
Pork chop on a stick
Bauder's Vanilla ice cream with a Stout beer

**Cidp24** · 08-16-12, 09:26 PM

If you find some fried Koolaid, tell us what's up with that. I'm curious. Not curious enough to try it, but still curious.

**Jenna** · 08-16-12, 09:28 PM

Just don''t drink the Kool-aid!

**IMGreat101** · 08-17-12, 08:20 AM

Getting ready to head out for the fair shuttle. I have no one tagging along today so I should be able to cover more ground.

**IMGreat101** · 08-18-12, 08:50 AM

Did not eat as much yesterday...

Cinnie Smiths - x2 (with cream cheese frosting)
Steer N Stein - 1 Soft shell taco and the best iced tea I have ever tasted.
The Wooden Shoe - Pella Ring Bologna on a stick x2
Hoppy's On The Hill - 5 lemonade shakeups (best non-alcoholic drink of the fair)

... but I did 5 interviews...
Cinnie Smiths
Hoppy's On The Hill
The Turkey Grill (Iowa Turkey Federation)
Old West Bar-B-Q
Jennie Grinder

...and saw 6 bands
The Blue Band
Beau Nystrom Band
Paramalee
Fishheads
Dave Mason Duo
Mike Aceto