Iowa State Fair

I love the Iowa State Fair!  There are all kinds of fun, amazing, and strange things to see.  I sit at a table in the Elwell Family Food Building where I autograph my new cookbook.  It is right next to the new hot attraction to see at the fair, the Chocolate Moose.  The moose is 10 1/2 feet tall and carved out of delicious chocolate.  I keep waiting for some small kid to try and take a bite out of it.

I haven't been able to get out of the building and see the sights, so my friend Darrellyn snapped a few photos for me.

The Butter Cow is an Iowa tradition.  It is a life sized cow, carved out of butter.  You haven't been to the fair until you have seen the cow.  Along with the cow, they always make other figures out of butter.  This year they had character from Disney's Sleeping Beauty. 

A strange sight to see at the fair is a demonstration on how to wash a chicken.  I don't know why you would want to wash a chicken, but apparently it is done.  I guess if you are entering it in a contest, you would need to groom it like you would a dog.

  

One of my favorite things to see at the fair are the beautiful cakes.

 

Next Tuesday, I will post pictures of the Ugly Cakes.

Check out my Facebook page for more pictures, and to see the new fair food items, like the Bacon Corn Dog and the Everything Square.

My new cookbook will be available at the Iowa State Fair, and soon it will be available at schools, businesses, hospitals, and book fairs in cities across the United States.  Be sure to pick up a copy or two, when you see them.  They make great gifts!

Check back on Friday, 

for the prize winning recipes that I am judging this week! 

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Cakes: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

The Ugly Cakes, are probably the most popular items for people to look at in the food center at the,
Iowa State Fair.

It is a kids contest, and tends to lean to the gross side of things.

All I can say about this one is, YUCK!

One of my favorite cake contests is the, Kids Animal Face Cakes.

It is nice to see kids can be creative it a cute way.

 The professional cake contest results in some amazing cakes! 

 This would be perfect for a baby shower! 

If it is a girl, that is.

Do you eat this, or wear it?

This cake looked even better in person.  It was one of my favorite ones!

This one looks like it belongs in a contest at the fair.

I had a great time at the Iowa State Fair!  I am always sad to see it come to an end.  

Two people who are probably happy to see it come to an end, are the brother and sister who were trapped in a ride high in the air for 2 1/2 hours.  Other than a slight sunburn, the pair were just fine.

The ride was shut down for a day and a half and then was back up and running.

On Friday, I will be posting more 

prize winning recipes from the, Iowa State Fair!

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!