Bubble Gum Blowing Contest

[Blair Ryan] We're here at the Bubble Gum Blowing Contest which is an annual favorite and staple at the Iowa State Fair. Let's see how big these bubbles get today.

[Music]

When you're measuring a bubble.

[Tim Simmons — Clarion, IA] Yeah.

[Blair] I'm sure it takes precision.

[Tim] Yeah.

[Blair] Talk to me about this.

[Tim] Okay. You watch the bubble, and then they'll put their hand up. Okay? And then you just kind of get it real close. You don't pop it. Just kind of get in close. And then you measure.

[Blair] You got this down. 

[Clay Smith — Southeast Iowa] A lot of chewing. I think my game plan is to get it as worked up as possible, chew it as much and then get a big bubble. 

[Blair] What is the biggest bubble you've seen on stage so far?

[Abigail Spiewak — Cumming, IA] Mine was a six. I actually tied with someone else.

(Indistinct chatter)

[Blair] So do you love chewing bubble gum?

(Young girl nods her head.)

Do you have a favorite flavor of bubble gum?

[Child 4] This flavor.

[Blair] The pink flavor?

(Indistinct chatter)

[Elyse Bartels — Runnells, IA] I don't know. I don't know how good it'll be, but we'll see.

[Blair] What is your favorite flavor?

[Katelyn Groe — Lake Mills, IA] Just the straight bubble gum. Straight up, yeah. 

[Blair] How big do you think your bubble will be today?

[Katelyn] Hopefully big enough to at least get 3rd.

[Blair] So how many years have you been practicing blowing the perfect and biggest bubble?

[Juanita Ferber Friday — Lorimor, IA] Since I was 5. 

[Blair] Do you feel confident going into this competition today that you could get a blue ribbon? 

[Juanita] Yes.

[Blair] Tanya, I see you have a blue ribbon with you today and you wanted to win it for a group of special people to you. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

[Tanya Judge — Lone Tree, IA] Yes. I'm a social service coordinator from Lantern Park Specialty Care in Coralville, Iowa. And I won 2nd place last year and I was very proud and so everyone was rooting for me today so I could bring back this blue ribbon.

[Music]

[Elizabeth Stockpauer — Altoona, IA] I just won my 1st place in the Bubblegum Blowing Contest of 2024.