Latest news with #IowaStateFair
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Train crashes, buying an elephant and other crazy stunts the Iowa State Fair once pulled
As the countdown to the Iowa State Fair continues on, now's the time to start planning your entries for the contests and competitions. From cow-chip throwing to homemade pies, from fine art photography to wine, there's something for everyone to enter for a chance to win the coveted Blue Ribbon. Check out how to participate at If you're worried about the economy and the Iowa State Fair this year, don't fret. More: Want to save money at the Iowa State Fair? Here are early deals for 2025 Back in the 1930s, deep in the Depression Era and way before safety regulations, fair employees had to stage bigger and bigger attractions to get people with less and less money in the gates. Thus, the great grandstand spectacle was born. Below are the stories behind five of our favorite spectacles, clipped from 1930s video shot by Frank Burns, Sr., the then-superintendent of the Varied Industries Building. The video has been archived and provided to the Des Moines Register by the State Historical Society of Iowa of Des Moines. The most famous fair-time spectacle ever was the Iowa State Fair elephant. Baby Mine — who, just for the record, was actually named simply Mine — was purchased by the State Fair and the Des Moines Register after crowd-sourcing nickels and dimes from Iowa's schoolchildren. Mine learned tricks and performed across the country as 'Iowa's pride and Joy' from 1929 to about 1942, always making a point to come back home in August for the Iowa State Fair. In her off-time, she lived in a climate-controlled stall on the fairgrounds. Mine's life had a tragic end, though, and she died in obscurity. Learn more about her rise to fame and fall to anonymity in this special Subscriber-exclusive story. Crashing various vehicles together was a big draw for the fair during the '30s, but the most infamous of these sorts of staged events was the collision of two steam-powered locomotives in 1932. Despite having also wrecked locomotives in 1896 and 1922, the 1932 crash took on an election theme by pitting a Herbert Hoover train against a Franklin Delano Roosevelt train. (Register reporting from the time is not clear on which train won, though in the actual election that fall, Iowan Hoover was defeated in a landslide by Roosevelt.) Traveling at about 50 miles per hour, the four engineers bailed just before the two trains hit each other head-on, hurling metal and wood into the crowd. More than 45,000 people had to be held back from getting too close to the crash site as fire spread from Roosevelt's engine to Hoover's, the Register reported. All of this was orchestrated by an Iowan (of course). Joseph S. Connolly became known as 'Head-On Joe' for his famous train-crashing performances, according to a biography titled 'The Man Who Wrecked 146 Locomotives.' 'Somewhere in the makeup of every normal person,' Connelly is quoted as saying in the book, 'there lurks the suppressed desire to smash things up.' 'As a historian, it kind of breaks my heart,' State Curator Leo Landis told me, 'because here you've got two steam-powered locomotives that, if they were around today, would just be priceless and there'd be museums that would love to have them, that, as a demonstration, get set up and crash into each other.' The smashing theme continued throughout the 1930s, but in 1937 the Iowa State Fair upped the ante by having Captain F.F. Frakes crash a speeding airplane into a house. About 60,000 people watched this climax to this fair's "Thrill Day," according to the Iowa State Fair archives, but the feat apparently made Frakes a wanted man. The house in tatters on the grandstand, Frakes barely escaped arrest for the stunt, State Fair lore says. In general, planes and air tricks of all sorts were draws for the fair. Even an appearance from the grand olde Register and Tribune autogiro (an airplane with windmill-like blades on the front), brought people out to the fairgrounds. With the Great War still in the memory of many older fairgoers, military-themed displays proved popular in the late 20s and 30s. In 1929, the fair staged an airplane dog fight of sorts. The culmination of the show was puncturing and capsizing a WWI anti-shrapnel balloon. And then there's the good old fun of a human cannonball. Wheeeeee! COURTNEY CROWDER, the Register's Iowa Columnist, traverses the state's 99 counties telling Iowans' stories. Her fair spectacle is seeing just how much food she can really eat. You can reach her at 515-284-8360 or ccrowder@ Follow her on Twitter @courtneycare. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State Fair: Remembering some of the fair's wildest stunts
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon T-shirt contest winner is in. What is the newest design?
A trip to the Iowa State Fair must consist of trying weird foods, seeing cute animals and going on rides. But none of that stuff can come home with you. So what better way to remember the 2025 Iowa State Fair than with a T-shirt that represents those 11 fun-filled days? The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation hosted its third annual T-shirt design contest — and the winner is in. More: Train crashes, buying an elephant and other crazy stunts the Iowa State Fair once pulled This year saw 80 design submissions with five finalists. Voting took place from May 7 to May 13 and over 9,400 votes were cast. A stamp depicting scenes from the Iowa State Fair like the butter cow, a pie and the Sky Glider, took home the gold. It was designed by Abigail Bieker from Harlan. The runner up design was created by Emily Dyer and Lyndsey Wathen of Jefferson and featured this year's fair theme, Fair Sweet Fair. The third place design by Erin Moore of Des Moines features a cute little pig and cow enjoying the iconic Sky Glider. The winning design will be printed and sold at the Blue Ribbon Foundation merchandise stand during the fair, Aug. 7-17. There are six locations: Horner Service Center Varied Industries Building - south lobby Cattle Barn foyer Agriculture Building Museum Complex Elwell Family Food Center More: Want to save money at the Iowa State Fair? Here are early deals for 2025 But if you like one of the top five shirt designs, you can order online until May 31 so you can wear them to the Iowa State Fair. Styles include T-shirts, long sleeves and crewnecks ranging in price from $18 to $30. Visit the Blue Ribbon Foundation online apparel store to make a purchase. Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@ or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: How to buy the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon 2025 contest winner T-shirt
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why the Birdland Pool won't open on time this summer
DES MOINES, Iowa — A supply chain issue is pushing back the opening of the Birdland Pool this summer, according to Des Moines Parks and Recreation. The city said it still hasn't received a shipment of filters, which were ordered in October 2024, that are required for the safe operation of the pool. That means the pool may not open until early July. Over 1,000 origami cranes to be displayed during Iowa State Fair as tribute to Japan 'We know how much our community looks forward to summers at Birdland Pool, and we share in their disappointment over this unexpected delay,' said Ben Page, Director of Des Moines Parks and Recreation. 'We're doing everything we can to open the pool as soon as possible and appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as we work through these challenges.' A $1.75 million improvement project of the Birdland Pool is underway to extend the life of the facility. It includes deep-end reconstruction, new mechanical systems, and pool repainting. Once the pool opens, daily admission will be reduced to $1 as a way to recognize the community's patience with the issue. As soon as the necessary filters arrive and are installed, the city said staff is in place to fully open the pool. Other Des Moines pool opening dates are: Teachout Family Aquatic Center: Open May 24–26 (Memorial Day weekend), May 31–June 1, and daily starting June 7 through August 10 Ashworth Pool, Nahas, and Northwest Family Aquatic Centers: Open May 31–June 1, then daily starting June 7 through August 10 Why the Birdland Pool won't open on time this summer DMPD releases photos of vehicle that may be linked to deadly hit-and-run crash Scholastic Spotlight follow-up: Crestview GOAT Party Pleasant Hill construction will cause detours for DART State Fair Shuttle at SEP Six small businesses get impact loans from City of Des Moines Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Over 1,000 origami cranes to be displayed during Iowa State Fair as tribute to Japan
DES MOINES, Iowa — Over 1,000 origami cranes made by Iowans will be displayed during the Iowa State Fair to honor Iowa's sister-state relationship with Yamanashi, Japan. The Cranes of Friendship Project was organized by the Japan America Society of Iowa (JASI). It started after an Iowa delegate visited Yamanashi, Japan, last year. He was gifted 1,000 cranes to bring back to Iowa. In return, JASI wanted to do something special in honor of the 65th anniversary of their sister-state relationship. In Japanese culture, 1,000 cranes are made when people want to celebrate something. Scholastic Spotlight follow-up: Crestview GOAT Party JASI's Executive Director, Yoko Tanaka, started holding workshops across the state at different high schools, colleges, organizations, and even people's homes. During these workshops, she teaches Iowans how to make origami cranes and gets them involved in the project. Her most recent workshop was held at the Zen Center in Des Moines, where 14 participants made 80 origami cranes. JASI has already exceeded its goal and made over 1,100 cranes. 'I was not sure if I could make it all the way to 1,000 at the beginning of the project and I was thinking, if I couldn't make it then I have to take care of the rest of it,' said Tanaka. She said she will continue to host workshops for people to be involved in the project. Their new goal is to have as many cranes as possible. Tanaka will soon start to thread all of the cranes together. 'Making the cranes is one thing, [but] threading them is going to be another daunting task,' she said, A Japanese company based outside of Cedar Falls, Iowa makes fermented thread and they are gifting one spool of this thread for JASI to complete the display. The finished product will be on display during the Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Building. Tanaka will also hold a crane-making workshop in the 4-H Building on August 15. Tanaka will soon hold workshops in Muscatine and Sioux City, showing that she travels anywhere in the state from as far east as Muscatine to as far west as Sioux City. Iowans can schedule a workshop by emailing info@ Buttigieg gives a strident anti-Trump message in Iowa, demands Democrats make their agenda clear Over 1,000 origami cranes to be displayed during Iowa State Fair as tribute to Japan Madison County leaders have a vacancy to fill, how that will happen is unclear Iowa crops planted ahead of schedule thanks to dry weather Work requirements for state Medicaid sent to Gov. Reynolds Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Herald Scotland
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
America's 250th: Iowa adjusts firework laws for milestone July 4 party
The bill comes two years after Trump proposed the idea of a Great American State Fair to be held in Iowa in July 2026 for the country's anniversary milestone. "Current law allows a patchwork of ordinances that are a trap for the unwary patriotic American in Iowa who simply wants to celebrate Independence Day the way it was intended by our founding fathers and the way it has been for centuries," Republican Iowa Rep. Bill Gustoff said on the House floor. "In too many communities in Iowa, they can't do that." As the bill's fate lies in Reynolds' hands, here's what to know about the legislation, Trump's proposed Great American Fair and Iowa's plans for 2026 Fourth of July. If passed, what would Iowa's firework bill do? If signed into law by Reynolds, Senate File 303 would prohibit city and county governments from regulating or prohibiting Iowans' use of consumer fireworks on July 3 and 4, and on Dec. 31, for New Year's Eve. In a 2024 social media post, Reynolds said the state of Iowa would "stand ready to host the Great American State Fair." The timing of her decision is unclear. Des Moines Register: Iowans could shoot off fireworks on 4th of July, New Year's Eve under bill sent to Reynolds What is the Great American Fair? In 2023, Trump proposed the idea of hosting the Great American Fair. To be held from Memorial Day 2025 to July 4, 2026, Trump said the event would be headquartered at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Though plans for such an event have yet to be shared, and Trump's administration declined commenting when contacted by USA TODAY on May 13, Trump did sign an executive order in January that created Task Force 250. As outlined by the order and headed by Trump, Task Force 250 is responsible for planning and executing "an extraordinary celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence" on July 4, 2026. The task force is also responsible for the creation of the National Garden of American Heroes, a sculpture garden first proposed by the president in 2020 that is scheduled to open in July 2026. "My hope is that the amazing people of Iowa will work with my administration to open up the legendary Iowa State Fairgrounds to host the Great American State Fair and welcome millions and millions of visitors from around the world to the heartland of America for this special one-time festival," Trump said in the 2023 video. Is the Great American Fair really happening? Despite Trump's executive order, plans for an official Great American Fair don't appear to be in place yet. "Although we are biased and believe the Iowa State Fair is the best, we have received no official requests or inquiries for the Great American Fair at this time," Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons told USA TODAY on May 13. However, the United States Semiquincentennial, also known as America250, is a nonprofit dedicated to the celebration of the 250th anniversary across the country. The America250 lists several events throughout the country on its website but does not mention any details about the Great American Fair. National Garden of American Heroes: NEH hiring artists for Trump's 250-statue garden plan. It just cut 1,000 other grants. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@ or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller. Sabine Martin covers politics for the Register. She can be reached by email at or by phone at (515) 284-8132. Follow her on X at @sabinefmartin.
