The "best" State Fair???

Anonymous Poster · Apr 24, 2003

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

Due to reasons I can't justify, I have never been to a state fair. Everyone I've ever talked with says the Iowa State Fair is Top line. I addition to the Living History Farm and eating at the Machine Shed, you can run out to Johnson and visit Camp Dodge, there is a small but informative museum there, the state capitol is always worth a visit, there is a model of the USS Iowa (BB-61) about 12 feet long in the entry way, flags and uniforms from the Civil War forward, if open you may even be allowed to go up in the rotonda(sp?). Just down the street from the capitol there is the Iowa museum of Natural History. Lots to see in Des Moines. They even have the Cubbies triple A farm team and an Old Market area.

Buster57 · May 1, 2003

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

Best State Fair I have been to is Texas. Weakest is probably Oregon. There are county fairs in Oregon better then the Oregon State fair. I have heard they will spend some money and update it soon.

Libertine · Aug 18, 2003

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

Pitbullmidwest et al:

Thanks for all the suggestions. Decided on the Iowa fair because of the reputation & closeness (and the so-called Living History Farm-more on that in a minute).

If the purpose of a fair is to see, experience & learn new things then the Iowa fair is very, very good. Since my experience with state fairs is limited, I can only compare to the Missouri fair. In every respect both in quantity and quality of exhibits the Iowa fair is much superior (the only exception is the food-the quantity is great, but the quality not so good as, say, the cattleman's restaurant at Missouri fair). Was very impressed with the Iowa fair, even their fair history museum was great. Glad we went.

Not so impressed with the so-called living history farm. I can't accuse them of fraud since when I discovered their deception and immediately left demanding a refund they did (with great reluctance) return the admission fee, but it is my opinion that they deliberately engage in deceptive, deceitful policies. I know many of you may not care about that, but I do. I do not recommend ANYONE visit that place, and, in fact, that they boycot it-there are lots of other places to see in Des Moines.

Re the Iowa Machine restaurant some of you recommended, really great. The so-called "Iowa cut" pork was the best pig I ever recall eating. Really great.

Since this was our first visit to Iowa, even though I was aware of its agricultural output, seeing it first hand was very impressive. The incredible agricultural richness beggars the imagination. 100s of miles of field to field crops both along the interstates, fed highways and state routes. Only saw a couple of irrigation set-ups. Don't recall seeing any rock outcroppings the whole time. If the rest of the state is like the 1/4 of the state we drove through (over several routes), and I understand most of it is, it has to be one of the richest agricultural areas in the world. Very impressive.

Again, thanks for your suggestions.

JEH

bigpete · Aug 18, 2003

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

Iowa, for sure. Have fun. I'm from the Tall Corn State originally, transplanted out East. We've been back with the kids at Fair time 6 out of the last 11 years. Sad to be stuck here this year.

Golfgar4 · Aug 18, 2003

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

This isn't a state fair kind of activity, but it's a pretty good event that takes place every Labor Day Weekend in our area. It's called the Rock River Thresheree . Basically, it's a salute to the old steam engines and farming. Every year, they have a featured "manufacturer". Collectors of that particular brand of tractor/equipment bring in their show pieces. Last year they featured Allis Chalmers. This year they're featuring John Deere Tractors and Engines .

They also have many working exhibits of steam engines, such as a lumber mill, a HUGE pile driver, and even thrashing demonstrations. It's easily a full day of activities.

It pretty much has everything you mentioned except the animal judging! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Libertine · Aug 19, 2003

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

Golfgar4:

Thanks for ref. Been to lots of these-some around here pretty good. Your ref looks good too. Still recall first time I saw a big steam tractor pulling a plow. You realize the old stuff did work, just not so easy to run. Thanks again.

JEH

CountryBoy · Aug 19, 2003

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

The Ohio State fair is a nice fair.

Golfgar4 · Aug 19, 2003

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

( Still recall first time I saw a big steam tractor pulling a plow. You realize the old stuff did work, just not so easy to run. )

I know what you mean! Every day at 2:00 p.m. during the Thresheree, there's a parade of steam engines. Every steam engine tractor, dozer, steam shovel, etc. that can move participates in the parade. They follow a natural hollow so that all of the people watching are sitting on the slopes on both sides like a natural amphitheater. It is awesome!! /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif All the engines are puffing and snorting, whistles are blowing, steam is spouting all over the place! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif And just about every parade, one or two machines break down, and here comes one of the biggest steam tractors you've ever seen to tow the break down out of the way.

It's really cool, and noisy, to see! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif