Fair 2024 – Friday, August 16

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Iowa PBS presents Fair 2024. Here is your host, Paul Yeager.

Hello and welcome to our coverage of Fair 2024. I’m Paul Yeager in for Bill Riley and we're swinging into the final moments of Fair 2024 but there’s still so much more to see and we’ve got another full hour of highlights ready to roll.

We’ll see state fair fans come together for a few exhilarating rounds of bingo. Some young buckaroos will learn the ropes and we’ll find out which of these 4-H and FFA animals are the G.O.A.T.

Up first Travis Graven brings us a high flying performance that’s as thrilling as it is terrifying to watch - the Flying Fools.

[Travis Graven] The Flying Fools are getting limbered up and ready for the show. The crowd is patiently waiting and getting very excited. And I'm getting my neck all limbered up because, boy, you have to look way, way up to the top of this tower to see what's yet to come in this high flying show here at the Iowa State Fair.

[Simon Sarabura — Milord Entertainment] A 20 minute, family friendly show. It's action packed from start to finish. You're gonna get to see us do Olympic style diving, trampoline style moves on the diving board. All of us will even jump at the same time. We crisscross.  It's just complete chaos. And at one point we take a turn and the comedy bit comes out and we turn into a bunch of clowns.

[Simon] A lot of us were high school divers and a bunch of us dove in university as well. We have gymnasts who come with us as well. A lot of aerial skiers, too, are surprisingly very good at flipping and twisting. Who would have guessed? So we have all different walks of life that come and find their way into our pool. 

It's exhilarating. You look down and you can see the entire fair and there are so many people watching from the bleachers in front of us to the back stands. And you get to take a look at the view and look at the whole city of Des Moines around us. And it's exhilarating. The grand finale at the end of the show is an 80 foot high dive, 80ft into just 10ft of water. 

And every time you're going to get to see somebody doing different flips, different twists on the way down. It is exhilarating for the audience and for us.

[Announcer] Well, let's help him out. Tell him. Go higher! Higher!

[Simon] There are 4 guys, all of the guys on our team do the high dive. So every show, if you come, you'll get to see a different high diver climb to the top. And we change positions and we try to mix it up and do different dives and tricks so that our repeat customers, who do come more than once, they can try and pick out the little nitty gritty changes and different flips and twists that we do. And it keeps it fun for us, too. When we get to express our talents and range of skills, it's fun for us to try new things and, like I said, push our limits a little bit. 

The crowds here have been unbelievable. We've had so many good responses from everybody and it's so exhilarating for us to try harder and try newer, harder tricks, because the people here, we can tell, really appreciate what we're doing up there. Our shows are at 11, 2 and 5 every day. We're right beside the craft beer tent.

Come see the show. You won't be disappointed. We'll keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. 

[Peter Cownie — Executive Director, Blue Ribbon Foundation] Today's a fun day. We love Bingo at the Iowa State Fair.

And we host Bingo. The Blue Ribbon Foundation hosts Bingo on the Grand Concourse where we are right now. And bingo is $1 a play. And we're raising money today for the Blue Ribbon Foundation for our improvements on the grounds. Half of that dollar goes to the winner of the game of Bingo and half the dollar goes to renovations of the Iowa State Fair. 

We have volunteers who run the entire operation. They do a great job. We get celebrity callers who come in and call the Bingo game. My middle son, Ralph Cownie, is playing Bingo right now, 9 years old. We get people who stop in walking down Grand Avenue to play Bingo and they're having fun and they're also supporting the Blue Ribbon Foundation.

[Announcer] I 17. 

(Player squeals with excitement)

Oh, we got a winner. We're gonna hold your cards, though. We'll double check it.

[Donna Schmidt — Volunteer] It's fun to watch the people. Especially the little kids, when they're playing their first game of Bingo. And just the excitement. Everybody loves to win.

[Announcer] I 21. 

[Peter] The winner always jumps up and says, Bingo. And they get very excited and then everyone else is ready to win the next one. It's great fun.

[Volunteer] We got a Bingo right here in the front. Congratulations.

[Donna] Blue Ribbon Foundation receives half of proceeds from the game. The winner of the game recieves the other. It's a win win for everyone.

[Carolyn Stewart — Des Moines, IA] Oh, I love Bingo. I'd play all the time if I could. I've played every year since they started, and this is the first time I've won. Today I won $21. Well, I've got my money back.

[Peter] We started this in 2018, and we've raised nearly $14,000 off of Bingo for the Blue Ribbon Foundation. We've been around about 31 years, and one of the reasons that we came into inception was the Des Moines Register took us to task that the Iowa State Fair is supposed to be a great celebration of Iowa, of all things Iowa. And our roofs were leaking and our sidewalks were cracked, and this had become an embarrassment. 

And that really helped spur the start of the Blue Ribbon Foundation. Because this is supposed to be a great celebration of Iowa. And Blue Ribbon Foundation has been responsible for all these improvements that we are all so proud of now, for Iowans to be able to make memories and share experiences with their friends and family. Our mission will always be relevant because we want to maintain the traditions we have and we want to grow for the future to attract fairgoers. And so fairgoers can always do what they like to do at the fair, but then add new things for them to experience as well. We are so proud and so thankful for the generosity of Iowans because they have made a this Iowa State Fair what it is.

[Announcer] All right, there it is. We've got a Bingo in the house.

[Dana Lain Formaro] Hey, partner. There's something new around these parts, and it's called Cowboy Boot Camp. And they're here to teach you everything you need to know about being a cowboy. Let's take a gander.

[Sherry Gavlik — Cowboy Boot Camp Manager] Cowboy Boot Camp is 10 stations, hands on, where they interact as playing cowboy and cowgirl. We have the gold panning station, which the kids are going to actually find a piece of gold and return it into the craft station and receive a free lollipop. And we have our dress like a cowboy or cowgirl. We have saddle the pony.

Then we have our corn box, which has been very successful here at the Iowa State Fair. 
 
We have rope the steer. They get to be a cowboy or cowgirl, and rope that steer.

[Dana] Can you tell me what you're doing here today?

[Child 1] I'm just fishing. And this is how you catch fish. You have to get bait and a fishing line, and you had to try to get fish. And when they bite on, you have to pull it up and throw it in or keep it to eat. 

[Dana] So tell me, what do you like better, a corn box or a sandbox?

[Child 2] The sand is so small and they can annoy you. But corn, you can see where they are.

[Dana] Can you tell us a little bit about your campfire?

[Child 3] Yes, we are at a campsite.

[Dana] You're at a campsite. And tell us your favorite thing about being a cowgirl.

[Child 3] Going on the horsey ride. 

[Dana] Going on the horsey ride? Very cool. 

[Sherry] It's been an amazing experience at the Iowa State Fair. We're so excited to be here. We come all the way from Texas, and I have to say this fairgrounds is one of the top fairgrounds. I've been all over the country, and it's just absolutely beautiful. And we're happy to have Cowboy Boot Camp here at the Iowa State Fair. 

[Woman 1] My kids all love horses, so this is super fun. They like to play in the corn. They're practicing fishing. They've been doing the lasso. And they really liked this when they were riding the stick horses around, so they're having all the fun.

[Paul] Iowa’s fair going population has been more urban than rural for quite some time. That’s why the Central Iowa Tractor Club brings out their iron horses to help us better understand our agricultural roots.

[Craig Payne — Central Iowa Tractor Club] Drawn to antique tractors. You have to have a liking for the tractors. Some of these tractors, I've got 3 at home that you actually have to spin a flywheel. You know, the old John Deeres. But when that thing fires off... you know, it's like, "I did that." And there's a way to do that, and it's not something — you have to learn.

This year we have 50 units. It goes back to the love of the tractor. Most of these guys are born and raised on a farm. 

This is our 33rd year at the state fair. We first came here in 1991. The state fair, people always say, "You're the easiest display on Grand Avenue," because we're here at 5:00 in the morning, we're set up, ready to go at 7:00. Also at noon today, we always start the tractors up because a lot of people like to hear the putt putt.

(Tractor engines revving up)

[Bill Zegers — Newton, IA] I do tractors, old style two cylinder tractors. In the last 20 years, I've probably restored right at 70 tractors. This right here is the last one I did.

(A green and yellow John Deere tractor sits behind Bill.)

It's not mine. I sold all mine. I brought tractors up here for close to 32 years. A couple years, I brought 12 tractors. 

[Craig] Then at night, we start breaking down at 4:30. That when we parade out, both sides are full. And so it gained popularity.

(A parade of tractors drive down Grand Avenue.)

[Paul Yeager] We are in the livestock arena again. It's time for the 4-H and FFA Goat Show. We'll start with 4-H. We'll meet a couple of competitors, and then be in the ring for the final drive for FFA.

I'm Claire Kucera. I'm from Baxter, Iowa, and I just won the Division One Market Goat Division at the Iowa State Fair. It just means everything to me because this has been my dream all year long, and it's just been an honor to win it.

[Paul] Which is harder? Inside the ring or outside of the ring?

[Claire] Outside.

[Paul] Why?

[Claire] Because inside the ring, I know what I'm doing. Outside of the ring, I'm struggling to just make sure that I don't mess up in the ring and everything's in my head.

(Two goats receive a blow dry from a teenage caretaker.)

My name is Brystol Brunton. I'm from Iowa County, and I show the Champion Division One Market Goat at the Iowa State Fair.

[Paul] What's it like showing in the ring at the state fair?

[Brystol] It's very exciting. When you win it's just real exciting.

[Paul] What makes a good animal?

[Brystol] This kind of stout, big backed, good leg hair.

[Paul] What makes a good shower?

[Brystol] I say for showmanship, good eye contact, good posture.

[Paul] Do you get nervous in the ring?

[Brystol] Yeah. 

[Paul] Is it more stressful out here getting ready or in the ring?

[Brystol] I think both parts are kind of stressful. Just getting up to the ring, but also being in the ring, knowing where to go at the right time.

(Teenage exhibitors guide their goats in the ring.)

I'm Avery Shalla. I'm 19 years old, and I'm from the Lone Tree FFA, and I just won Grand Champion FFA Market Wether.

[Paul] What's that mean to win?

[Avery] It means a lot to me. It means that all my hard work throughout the summer really paid off, and it just means a lot for me and my animal to get to share a special moment.

[Paul] It's a family affair. Everybody helps. Talk about your family support.

[Avery] My family supports me so much. I've always had a passion for showing, and we started out with cattle. And I always wanted to show goats, and dad supported that. We just all worked together as a team and a family, and all of us siblings help each other out a lot.

[Paul] And this is not your first grand champion. Am I right on that?

[Avery] No. I won the steer show and then won the 4-H show with the wether last year, too. I've had some very good luck.

[Paul] But last year your brother wins. He cited you as someone he looked up to. What's that mean?

[Avery] It really does mean a lot to me because I've always had a passion for showing and seeing my brother's interested, in having a worked so hard and it pay off. Means a lot to me.

[Paul] That final drive. When the judge is walking, are you hoping the judge is looking at you or looking away from you?

[Avery] Your heart's just racing like 100mph. All you want is to see the judge come your way and pick your animal. That's just your goal. So it's so many emotions at once. And you're just so thankful to be able to have this opportunity to get such a good honor for your animal.

[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.

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.

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

[Paul] Did you win a ribbon at the fair this year? Congratulations! Here are some of the lucky and talented winners.

Youth Decorated Cakes — Sculpted Cake

• 1st Place - Charlotte Watnem, Fort Dodge

Youth Decorated Cakes — Single Cake

• 1st Place - Brooklyn Walz
• 2nd Place - Nora Hardisty, Waukee
• 3rd Place - Caydence Schoening, Altoona

Youth Decorated Cakes — Tiered Cake

• 1st Place - Claire Tigges
• 2nd Place - Marisa Shoup of Clive
• 3rd Place - Charlotte Watnem of Fort Dodge

Youth Decorated Cakes — Overall

• 1st Place - Claire Tigges, Waukee
• 2nd Place - Brooklyn Walz, Marion
• 3rd Place - Charlotte Watnem of Fort Dodge

Weed Identification — Youth

• 1st Place - Aiden Anderson, Paton
• 2nd Place - Allie Whetstine Keota
• 3rd Place - Haylee Hillers, Colesburg
• 4th Place — Connor Paulsen, Anamosa
• 5th Place — Stella Sanecek, Washington

Weed Identification — General

• 1st Place - Jamie Larson, Des Moines
• 2nd Place - Kelley Locke, Sioux City
• 3rd Place - Joe Dunn, Carlisle
• 4th Place — Zach Utley, Ames
• 5th Place — Lars Larson, Des Moines

Weed Identification — Professional

• 1st Place - Jaden Ahlrichs, Des Moines
• 2nd Place - Tracy Cameron, Creston
• 3rd Place - Dean Grossnickle, Gilbert
• 4th Place — Cindy Recker, Peosta
• 5th Place — Dennis Hartstack, Clarinda

Fabric and Threads — Surface Embroidery

• Sweepstakes — Jamie Randall, Cedar Rapids
• Best of Show — Connie Verdeck, Waukee

Fabric and Threads — Counted Cross Stitch

• Sweepstakes — Sharla Stogdill, Moulton
• Best of Show — Amy Kellis, Windsor Heights

Fabric and Threads — Needlepoint

• Sweepstakes — Robin Rossignol, North Liberty
• Best of Show — Emily Barton, Des Moines

We’re going to take a quick break, but don’t go away. We’ve got more fair highlights for you. Like these! 

The sheer excitement and unmatched elegance of the Society Horse Show, meeting some modern day farming heroes and the dazzling brilliance of the Illuminator.

We’ll see you right back here for more state fair fun on Iowa PBS!

[Travis Graven] If you could go to the fair with anybody, who would it be and why? 

[Woman 2] I would go with my mom because she would ride every ride at the fair.

[Woman 3] I would definitely bring Taylor Swift here. Because it is the corndog era this year at the Iowa State Fair and we'd love to have her come. So I think she will if we mention it.

[Man 1] I think I would go with LeBron James. Dude just came off a gold medal run. He's really popular. I enjoy crowds, so I think it'd be a great time to hang out with him too.

[Travis] If you could go to the fair with anybody, who would it be and why?

[Woman 4] Well, it would have been with my husband, who has passed on now a couple years ago. But we were married for almost 73 years and I came to my first fair with him here.

[Travis] If you could go to the fair with anybody, who would it be and why?

[Man 2] I would go with my wife, of course.

[Woman 5] It would be my grandpa Dale. He died a year ago. So we could sit in the beer tent and drink a cold beer.

[Man 3] I would probably bring somebody up to the state fair that has never been here before. Usually we love bringing the kids up. We bring them up to let them eat some of the food, try a sample of everything. But the younger the better. They just have a ball every year.

[Paul] 4-H provides Iowa youth hands-on learning experiences in so many areas - science, health, agriculture, civic engagement to name just a few. Brooke Kohlsdorf is in the exhibits building to find out more.

[Gail Castillo — 4-H Youth Development] So here at the Iowa State Fair, while many people think of all of our amazing exhibits from all across the state that 4-Hers have been learning and doing all year long, we work really hard to have a hands on showcase every day so that anyone coming to the state fair can learn and do something with 4-H and learn from our members. We want young people to experiment and explore passion areas, find their spark that really gets them excited and then learn more. 

One of the reasons we are so excited that this is a living showcase, not just our static exhibits, but our communication events throughout the 11 days of the state fair. It gives our 4-H members lifelong practice with their communication skills.

[Brooke Kohlsdorf] Whether it's 4-H members perfecting their communication skills or youth development specialists introducing a new field of study, children have lots of fun finding hands on learning at the 4-H exhibits building.

What is this called? 

[Child 5] Ummm...I don't know.

[Brooke] It looks like a bug bridge to me. Is that what it is?

[Child 5] Yeah. 

[Brooke] How long has it taken you to build this?

[Child 5] A really long time.

[Brooke] Is it fun?

[Child 5] Yes. 

[Child 6] You put like some colors of paint you want and then hex bugs, go around and mix it up. And then just once you want it like it looks like, then they'll just dry it out and then you get to keep it. 

[Child 7] So you put water and Orbeez in one of these little jars and then you add a scent to them.

[Instructor 1] And then the females, but the females do not have, like, the polka dots.

[Instructor 2] Go ahead and make the line all the way down the road. Good job. Have you ever seen pollinator habitat on the roads? Have you ever looked it and saw flowers? That's what we really like.

[Lynne Campbell — 4-H Education Extension Specialist] We want them actually doing something and so they can actually see it and then go home and apply it. And so when they come through there, they have a handout. We want them to take that home, share that with somebody so that they can extend their learning past here.

(Music)

[Lynne] I know that we're probably going to have over 400 kids come through here today, but we also have 2 or 3 parents and grandparents coming through. We're actually using this as a teaching moment for both youth and adults.

[Gail] Those of us who know and love 4-H. Know and love 4-H.

(Music) 

[James Petersen — Knoxville, IA] This year, the Iowa State Fair came up with this idea to make these farmer trading cards. And my wife and I would bring up the sheep and part of the cattle for the Animal Learning Center. And they have asked us give some information and a picture, and they made a trading card about us. And so I am here today handing them out and signing them for different people. 

Would you like one signed, sir? 

So far, there's probably been 70 or so that have came and asked for a card. Mostly little kids. 

I love seeing the baby animals and seeing the people, some of the same old people and meet new ones, too. 

Well, they're asking what we raise and what I like about the farm. On the back here, it tells you the joy of farming is producing food for people around the world while caring for the land and our environment. And the rewards of farming for me is watching our children grow up on our farm and seeing the miracle of animals being born and growing up.

[Josie Kelly — Iowa Turkey Federation] Here at the bullpen we have our farmer trading cards with the Miller family on it, and we're here to talk turkey with fairgoers. It was organized by the Iowa State Fair. It's not just going to be turkey producers here coming into the bullpen. It's going to be all commodities throughout the entirety of the state fair. 

My background, I was an FFA usher for 2 years, and then last year I was a state officer. So this is my 4th year that I'll be spending every single day on the grounds. This is my internship passion project. I got to completely design all the signage on the barn, and now it's here. 

The display is meant to educate everybody that comes here into the Animal Learning Center. So the hope is that they can take a little bit of turkey knowledge home. A common thing that we heard in the past is a lot of people think that turkeys are actually ostriches. And so we were just trying to push as much turkey knowledge out to them as possible in a pretty friendly way.

[James] In this area, I would say, most of these people, they've not been around animals before. Because I don't believe everybody in the cities know where animals come from and their food then, and how we are treating them humanely. 

[Josie] It feels great. I am just about to go into my sophomore year at Iowa State University, so it feels good to know that I have such a big project under my belt. Love the state fair with my whole heart. Of course, I love the fair food. I love the educational displays. I love everything about ag education. And I'm gonna continue trying to spread everything I know with fairgoers.

(Music)

[Renae VanZomeren — Timber Hills Farm, Leighton, IA] The most we want people to know about the Society Horse Show at the Iowa State Fair is that it's an opportunity to see the American saddled red horses and other horses of the society breed. The Hackney ponies, the Arabians, the Morgans, the different breeds that belong to this group of what we call fancy horses, and we're very proud of them.

I'm brushing Andy with a soft brush, which kind of gets the dust off better, and I just want him to look shiny and sleek. My sister's showing him tonight, and I showed him yesterday. 

[Tilly Woodward — Timber Hills Farm, Leighton] I think my children inspired me to ride. Both of them rode, but my daughter Adrienne continues to show, continues to be successful. She was the winner of the equitation class here at the Iowa State Fair 4 times. So there's a trophy that I give in honor of her every year. It's a perpetual trophy. 

When the kids were through with college, it was my turn, and I took up both of my kids' sports. So I run, and I also ride, and I started that in my late 50s, and it's just been a real pleasure.

[Nick Kinsinger — Blue Meadows Farm, Van Meter] I started showing as a kid here at the Iowa State Fair, and then we opened up a public training barn in 2021, and we've been coming the last 4 years. I love the show horses. They come out with a show attitude. Ears are up, big eyes, tails up, excited. They're athletes and they love to perform. 

[Noah Levy — Superintendent] Our society show's got about 50 exhibitors, and we usually have around 100 horses in here. They take up roughly 125 stalls, and that includes all of their tack that they need for their horses. And while they do come from, I would say, far and wide, the majority of our exhibitors are local to Iowa and even more local to, really, the greater Des Moines metro.

[Martha Thompson-Hoyt — Judge] The Arabian, half Arabian native costume class. The riders come in, they are all in native costume, but you would think that the costumes would be the main thing that we're judging on, and it's not. The costumes are really only about 25% of what the judging is. The 75% is the performance and the manners of the horse.

(On Screen — Winner Arabian/Half Arabian Native Costume Open, Erin Runde, Mason City)

Saddle Seat Equitation Stake. The stake class means that they've already shown in a qualifier class. So this like their championship class. And what's nice about the equitation is that almost all the other classes are judged on the horse's performance. The equitation class is judged on the rider. The rider's form and position, how the rider navigates around the arena. 

(On Screen — Winner Saddle Seat Equitation Stake, Ella Hartwick, Pella)

Being an open class, some of the other roadster classes, manners are paramount. And this one, it's performance and quality. So it's more judged on the pony itself. And it's kind of fun, because with the roadster ponies, they always kind of remind me a little bit of the race cars of the pony world because they are shown at speed. 

[Noah] You'll actually see it across all the breeds and all the exhibitors, is that it's a family event, and that's really great for the Iowa State Fair. That it's brought families for generations. And we have several exhibitors who do come multiple years. Decades, really. We've got several that have been here 30 plus years.

(On Screen — Winner Roadster Pony Single Open, Leslie Herron, Adel)

[Martha] The Iowa State Fair Society Horse Show is really important because this is a grassroots show. And this is where people can first kind of experience horses. And maybe somewhere along the line, if you bring your kids to the fair, your child might say, "Wow, mom, dad, this is something that I would really want to do." I really would love to learn how to ride a horse, how to drive a pony, and that will be just as excited about the horses and the ponies as we are, so that we can go and pass this on for generations to come.

[Paul] The competition only intensifies as the week goes on at the Riley Stage. Here are some acts marching on.

Sprouts Champions

• Faith Eugenia Scott, 8, Johnston (Piano Solo)
• Micah Rusch, 10, Cedar Falls (Stand Up Comedian)
• Ben Shuput, 12, Des Moines (Acro Dance Solo)

Seniors Finalists

• Peyton Tiemeyer, 15, Earlham; Charli Harkins, 18, Van Meter; Ash Van Ness, 18, Earlham; Malia Fuller, 17; NiAyla Johnson, 12, Dexter (Tap/Clog Dance)
• Sage Minnihan, 18, Onawa (Musical Theater Vocal Solo)
• Megan Wheelock, 20, Waterloo (Vocal Solo)

Don’t forget, we’ll bring you the Talent Championships here on Iowa PBS Sunday, August 18 at 8pm.

It’s going to be quite a show.

Up next we’ll meet Randy Mills who shares the art and trade of blacksmithing at Pioneer Hall.

(Music)

[Randy Mills — Des Moines] I'm originally from the Upper Peninsula, Michigan. When I was about 14, I went to the Upper Peninsula State Fair and I saw a blacksmith and a master bladesmith right next to each other. And I was so enthralled that I had to learn how to do it. We are burning bituminous coal. As it burns, it will cook off any impurities and turn into coke. 

It's very porous. The coke burns a heck of a lot cleaner than coal does. A lot of people wonder why a blacksmith will tap off to the side. That's so they can keep rhythm with their hammer blows. This sound right here, this is my drum, my music. 

When I have another smith standing right next to me. We're hammering in time. The anvils are ringing in different notes. Oh, my God, it's so beautiful. That's my, "Oh, God, I love this moment."

As we're hammering, keeping that rhythm our steel will stay hotter longer. We're actually compressing the molecules, creating friction. Anybody have any questions I can answer? While I'm waiting for my metal to get hot? A lot of them ask how hot the metal can get. 

I can get this steel anywhere from 98.6 or whatever room temperature is up to 4000 degrees, which is molten. So by running the colors, I can tell you how hot it is. It's a nice bright orange. So I'm somewhere around 2000 degrees right there. Smoking hot. 

So, blacksmith, what color are my arm?

[Kids] Black.

[Randy] What color is my metal?

[Kids] Black. 

[Randy] That's how we got our name. What colors my coal?

[Kids] Black.

[Randy] What a blacksmith does is we heat our metal and we hammer it into shape and open up that wedge. Open up. There we go. Starting to open up. 

Point is done. Come on, get on there. Everything here was done with a hammer, a wrench and maybe a pair of pliers.

[Kids] Did you bend that with it?

[Randy] Yeah. 

I'm squeezing for all I'm worth. And I take the pliers and just walk it around little by little and it'll bend into shape. I would rather teach you to be self sufficient and learn a craft than to sell you something that, "Hey, this is my pretty."

[Ralph Blackman — Indianola] I think they're doing a real authentic job. They make things that's custom. You only get one. And they have. They take a piece of raw steel and they can twist it and make it into all kinds of tools and all kinds of handy things that you can't buy at the store. But if it ever come pushed to shove, that'd be a handy heart to have. If you want somebody you want in your corner.

[Randy] I teach classes trying to expand the world and their knowledge base so they can pick up this craft and do it on their own as well. It's coming back.

[Scott Worth — Sr. Plant Operations Director] This area through the center ended up getting raised up. It used to be down low. 

Each building, even at least the ones that I've been blessed to work on these days, I can always look back on them and say that there's always a story to tell behind it.

[Reporter] We're at the Sheep Barn and the 4-H exhibitors here are making last minute preparations to enter the ring. Let's go join them.

[Exhibitor 1] I am nervous every time I shear. But if you're not nervous, you're not human, right?

[Exhibitor 2] Kind of like a family tradition to come to the state fair and show sheep.

(Music)

[Charity] The sheep barn at the Iowa State Fair has been a center of agricultural activity for decades. All of the brick barns at the Iowa State Fair are special. Their grand entrances exude importance, they elevate agriculture and they demand a place in Iowa's history.

[Scott] And so there's a whole bunch of things that show you that it was built by hands. All the brick. You've got to imagine all of the different people over time that laid each and every one of these bricks in every one of these buildings. It's been an ongoing process since the early 90s to keep this facility alive for our users now, users in the future.

[Charity] The livestock barns as a whole are undergoing a major $25 million renovation that started in 2023. The project addresses needs like roofing, flooring, electrical and restrooms. Some of the polychrome terra cotta on the sheep barn's exterior has been taken down for repairs.

[Scott] It is a unique piece of ornament to not only have terracotta on your building, a lot of times you see those things downtown, but to see it on a fairgrounds and to see it in a barn certainly makes it worth preserving. 

[Charity] Restoration work takes time and delays and scheduling means that the terra cotta isn't quite finished, but the inside is ready for fairgoers to enjoy.

[Scott] Well, this year, when the fairgoers arrive, the people that are showing arrive. Hopefully they'll be able to walk into this space and see or get a sense that maybe time has been turned back. If you look closely, you'll always see these kind of imperfections, maybe a line that is quite straight or something that makes you wonder what they were thinking. And I'm amazed by how few of drawings it took to actually build some of these things to the degree of ornament and precision that they have. 

Something as simple as restoring the flagpoles that used to be on all the corners of this building became something that was important. Even though they were gone, we knew that they were once there. And I think people appreciate when they go on the grounds just to be able to see those flags flying on the corners of their building.

You can't really build history. It's something that's already been there. And so it's a matter of trying to figure out how to maintain it and appreciate the rough edges with the clean edges and those sorts of things.

(Music)

[Paul] This year there is a bright new act strolling down the main concourse that is sure to catch your eye.

The Illuminator is making its debut at the Iowa State Fair and has quickly become a crowd favorite. Catching the attention of onlookers with a suit made from thousands of vibrant and reflective glass pieces. 

[Marvin Azzopardi, Des Moines] Seven foot tall, all glass. I didn't think it was glass. I thought it was plastic or steel, aluminum. It's very reflective and you can't see his eyes. You can't see his lips, his mouth. So whoever designed it — and I come from California, so I've been around Hollywood — that was a Hollywood production. That was cool. That was really cool. 

[Jo Faye Fatino, Des Moines] It looks like a pink or a lavender. To me it looks different each time I look. I swore in the evening it looked more lavender. Today it looks more pink. So I don't know what color. Fuchsia maybe? I don't know. 

[Avari Anderson, Carlisle] Kind of looks like he's broken and he got fixed. He just kind of looks like he built himself, he looks happy. 

[Maya Anthony, Altoona] He's pink, like a rose gold and broken pieces of glass and he's got a top hat on and cane. A mirror man made of glass. 

[Mandy White, Ankeny] I think he's mirror man. I just love how reflective he is. I call him mirror man. 

And you see him coming because you see people turning and looking, and then he also acknowledges us, which is fun. So we kind of played back and forth, a little banter. 

[Dawn Rizzi, Waukee] The tin man? That's what I would call it. He just was so happy to pose and take a photo. I think the tin man, Wizard of Oz type thing. 

[Avari] He's like photogenic. I kind of like it. Like he's ready for that picture. He hits it with new poses every time. 

[Jo Faye] He opens up a path like this so I can get through and then he did a little dance. It was really cute. I thought he was quite a gentleman. 

[Janita Lansman, Des Moines] I just thought he was -- or he or she or whoever it was, was flashy, sexy, and just awesome.

[Marvin] If it was 110 degrees, I lived in Palm Springs. If you were naked at 110 degrees, you would die. Him in that glass was incredible. I think that's cool. 

[Paul] The Illuminator is a brilliant and dazzling display that you simply can't miss. 

[Dawn] Something different at the fair. Every year I try to come for something different. So that's something different. 

(Music)

[Mike Gilbert, Urbandale] This event is the old-fashioned hymn sing and this event has gone on, I can't even tell you for how many years. It happens every day of the fair at 11:30 and 6:30. If you were standing outside, it sounds like a church choir in here because the people that come love to sing.

(People singing they hymn, "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder")

The tradition has been standing room only with people standing at the windows, so they can participate, as well, singing hymns. The song leaders I've worked with like to ask for audience participation. And sometimes we can't keep up fast enough with the numbers of hymns that they want to sing.

(People singing, "My Country 'tis of Thee")

The only secular ones are the patriotic songs. "America the Beautiful" seems to be the favorite. "Battle Hymn," which we ended with, is especially a favorite, and then "My Country 'tis of Thee." Otherwise it's all religious songs. 

(People singing a religious hymn)

I love it. If they love to sing, if they love being shoulder to shoulder with other people who love to sing, they ought to come in, and it's a great way to carve out just 30 minutes of worship time during the fair.

[Paul] And that wraps up another evening of Fair 2024. We know you have a lot of choices on television so we’re honored you spent your Friday night with us.  If you want to experience any of our State Fair highlights again visit our website, our YouTube channel or the PBS app. You can find our full shows there.  Give us a follow on Facebook and Instagram for loads of state fair fun.

There are so many ways you can engage with us about our amazing state fair. Anytime, and anywhere.

We’ll be back again tomorrow with a very special night of coverage which includes some traditional Saturday night favorites like the husband calling contest. The cookout contest and of course, the 4-H and FFA Sale of Champions.

So don’t miss it. The best state fair coverage around, right here on Iowa PBS. Until tomorrow, in for Bill Riley, I’m Paul Yeager. Have fun at the fair!

(Credits roll on screen)

FAIR

Host
Paul Yeager

Executive Producer
Theresa Knight

Editors/Production Assistants
Julie Knutson
Sean Ingrassia

Segment Producers
Judy Blank
Patrick Boberg
Dan Bolsem
Laurel Bower
Tyler Brinegar
Josh Buettner
Andrea Coyle
Sarah Currier
Travis Graven
Deb Herbold
Bryon Houlgrave
Emily Kestel
Colleen Bradford Krantz
Kelsey Kremer
David Miller
Rachel Mummey
John Torpy
Peter Tubbs
Paul Yeager

Videographers
Matt Clark
Darrin Clouse
Scott Faine
Eric Gooden
Kenny Knutson
Adam Welch

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Neal Kyer
Kevin Rivers

Audio
David Feingold
Sean Ingrassia

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Chad Aubrey
Neal Kyer

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Melanie Campbell
Sarah Currier
Abbie McLaren
Theo Whitehead

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Kevin Rivers

Field Reporters
Abby Brown
Travis Graven
Brooke Kohlsdorf
Dana Lain Formaro
Charity Nebbe
Blair Ryan
Aaron Steil

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Bo Dodge
Brent Willett

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Tiffany Clouse

Production Supervisor
Chad Aubrey

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Kate Bloomburg
Joe Bustad

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Alisa Dodge

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Caleb Brothers
Danny Engesser
Abby Friedmeyer
Randy Garza
Bryon Houlgrave

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Matt Clark
Bo Dodge
Gillian Hiscocks
Hayley Schaefer
Dan Wardell

Communications Manager
Sarah Lewis

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Caryline Clark

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Susan Ramsey

Director of Emerging Media
Taylor Shore

Executive Director & General Manager
Andrew Batt

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