Category Archives: State Fair

Iowa State Fair – Day 3 – Beta

Today is Carla’s birthday, so I need to wish her a happy birthday!


June 10
Happy birthday!

I hope your birthday is free from fire alarms today and maybe involves some camping or camping planning!

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Today is also Monica’s birthday, so I also need to wish her a happy birthday!


SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE - AUGUST 2022
Happy birthday!

I hope your birthday is filled with plenty of good music and productivity on some art projects!

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Time once again to share more images from my trip to the Iowa State Fair with Monica and Graham, but then also with Elainie, Sabas, and Tiffany.


Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Still plenty more picture from this trip to the Fair left to share!

Iowa State Fair – Day 3 – Alpha

On my third trip to the Iowa State Fair I started the day with Monica and Graham. Then at some point they disappeared and I finished the day with Sabas, Elainie, and Tiffany.

Here is the first collection of images from the day:


Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023
Hard to imagine a better kind of chick than a waffle chick.

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Iowa State Fair -Trip 3 - 2023

Still a ton of pictures from this day left to share!

Iowa State Fair – Day 2 – Gamma

Time for the final collection of images from my 2nd of four trips to the Iowa State Fair. I left earlier from the Iowa State Fair than I usually do. Usually after the barbecue competition I hang around the Fair for several hours. But this time I packed up and went home with Degeneffe family.

Here is the final collection of images:


Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Only 2 more days of Fair trips left to share!

Iowa State Fair – Day 2 – Beta

Time to share another collection of images from my 2nd trip to the Iowa State Fair. This time a trip with the Degeneffes. This is more of my roaming around the fairgrounds while most of the fair was still asleep and the gates had yet to be opened to the general public.


Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023
Come on! You know I love pictures of urinals!

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023
They serve the same amount of customers when the Fair is open.

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Still one more collection of pictures from this trip to the Fair to share! And two more days of Fair trips left to share!

Iowa State Fair – Day 2 – Alpha

I told you I would give you the info on as many local area fish fries as I could, on this the opening day of Catholic Fish Fry season. Here is the list I have compiled:

St. Malachy, Madrid
Feb. 16 & 23 & March 8 & 22
4:30-7
Prices Unknown

Sacred Heart, Boone
Feb. 16 & March 1 & 15
5-7
Prices: Unknown

Saint Cecilia, Ames
Feb 23 & March 1 & 8
5-7 PM
ADULT: $12
CHILD: $5

Saint Thomas Aquinas, Ames
Feb. 16 & March 22
5-7
Adult $10
4-12: $5
Group of 4: $35

Assumption, Granger
Feb. 16 & 23 & March 1,8, 15, 22
5:30-7
Prices: Unknown

Sts. John and Paul Catholic Church, Altoona
Every Friday
4:30-7
Adults $14
Children 6-12 $6
5 and younger – FREE
1401 First Ave. S., Altoona

Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, Ankeny
Feb. 23, March 8, and March 22
5-7
Free Will Offering
510 E. First St., Ankeny;

St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, Ankeny
Feb. 16, March 1, and March 15
4:30-7
Free Will Donation
1102 NW Weigel Drive, Ankeny

All Saints Catholic Church, Des Moines
Every Friday except Good Friday
5-7
Adults: $11
Children 5-12 $8
Under 5: FREE
650 NE 52nd Ave., Des Moines

Basilica of St. John, Des Moines
Feb. 16 & 23; March 1, 18, 15, & 22
4:45-6:30
Adults: $12
Children 4-10: $5
3 and Under: FREE
Max of $50 for families
1915 University Ave., Des Moines

Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Des Moines
Feb. 16 March 1 & 22
5:30-7
Adults: $12
Kids 5-11: $6
2926 Beaver Ave., Des Moines

St. Ambrose Cathedral, Des Moines
Feb. 16 & 23 & March 1, 8, 15, & 22
11:30-1
Flat $8
607 High St., Des Moines

St. Joseph Catholic Church, Des Moines
Feb. 16 – March 22
4:30-7
Adult: $13
Kids: $5
Under 6: FREE
Family Max: $40
3300 Easton Blvd., Des Moines

St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church, Des Moines
Feb. 16 & 23 – March 1, 8, & 22
5-6:30
Adult: $13
Couple: $25
5-12 $7
Under 5: FREE
4600 Meredith Drive, Des Moines

St. Theresa Catholic Church, Des Moines
Feb 16 – March 22
5:30 – 7 PM
Free Will Offering
1230 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines

St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Norwalk
Every Friday during Lent
5:30-7
Adult: $12
5-12: $10
720 Orchard Hills Drive, Norwalk

St. Boniface Catholic Church, Waukee
Every Friday during Lent
5-7
Adult: $12
5-7: $7
4 and under: FREE
1200 S. Warrior Lane, Waukee

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, West Des Moines
Every Friday during Lent
5:30-7
Adult: $14
4-10: $7
Under 4: FREE
Family Max: $45
1627 Grand Ave., West Des Moines

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, West Des Moines
Every Friday During Lent
5:30-7
Adults: $15
6-11: $5
Under 6: FREE
7075 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines

I think I’m going to hit up the fish fry in Boone tonight. FNSC is going high end the following Friday, but then I might be back on the Fish Fry Circuit the following Friday. I definitely want to hit the fry in Granger at some point. Maybe one in Ames. Maybe one down in Des Moines. What can I say? I like fish and some of the ones in the Des Moines area are very intriguing. Some have fish tacos. Who has 2 thumbs and loves fish tacos? You can’t tell but right now I’m pointing back at me with both my thumbs. Take my word for it.

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It feels like a good time to release some of the pictures I took on my trip to the State Fair with the Degeneffes. I went down there with them to help and document Austin competing in the State Fair barbecue contest. We got to the fairgrounds like 4:30 AM. Which seems early, but is a great time to roam the fairgrounds in the dark with virtually nobody there. It is actually kind of amazing, actually.

Here are some pictures:


Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Degeneffes Trip - 2023

I hope somebody I know makes it to the State Fair barbecue contest again next year, so I can wander around the fairgrounds mostly alone again.

Still plenty more pictures to share from this trip to the fair to share!

Iowa State Fair – Day 1 – Beta

Today seems like a good day to share the rest of the pictures from my day at the Iowa State Fair with Jen, Evie, and Layla. We saw some big chunks of the Fair and ate some great food and made some great art!

Here are some of my favorites:


Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023
You may recognize this artist’s style. Some of her work hangs up at Jimmy’s Barbecue.

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023
I love this idea.

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023
I’m a sucker for a picture of people looking at art.

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

I have a standing, handshake deal, with Evie (and hopefully Layla is in too) to go to Snakes Alive this year and get our picture taken with a snake. This going to Day 1 of the Fair with the Gorshes has become one of favorite little traditions!

Iowa State Fair – Day 1 – Alpha

Time to start sharing pictures from my numerous trips to the Iowa State Fair last year. Once again, I made a traditional visit on Day 1 of the Fair with Jen to watch Evie and Layla dance with their Irish dancing group. They performed early in the morning at the Mid American Stage. The bad thing about this is that the Mid American Stage faces east. I repeat, they performed in the morning. If you don’t know, the sun rises in the east. In the morning. That is just science.

I bring this up because it had to suck for them dancing while staring into the sun. I’m going to share pictures from their performance, and as you will see right away, they are dancing with their eyes closed… cause they were staring into the sun.

Here are some pictures from their performance:


Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

After the performance we hung out at the fair for a few hours. I have plenty of pictures to share from that as well!

Iowa State Fair Food Carousel

As I started looking through these pictures, I realize that I should have published this collection much earlier as the memory has become a bit foggy since the Iowa State Fair, which was 2 months ago. Something to remember for next year.

This food adventure is a collection of all the food I ate at the Iowa State Fair. I made 4 trips to the Iowa State Fair. One with Jen, Evie, and Layla. Another with Scottie D., Melissa, Austin, and Porter. Another one with Monica, Graham, Sabas, and Elainie. Then a final one with Jesse and Nader.

I ate a lot, so we better get to it!


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

The first thing I had was the Deep-Fried Bacon Brisket Man-n-Cheese Grilled Cheese. Here is the description:

The Rib Shack’s signature Bacon Brisket Mac and Cheese is slathered between layers of American cheese and two slices of What’s Your Cheez Bacon Cheddar Bread. It is then deep-fried until golden brown and served with a signature raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce.

This was one of the 3 Finalists for Best New State Fair Food. Here are more pictures of it:


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

I could only get Evie to take a nibble of it. This sandwich was pretty disappointing. It was bland and lifeless. The only thing that saved it was the raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce. However, it wasn’t the worst Best New Fair Food Finalist.

It was a short day at the Fair and the only other thing I had was ice cream:


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

You know my policy on ice cream, so no reason to get into that.

On my next day at the Fair, the only food I purchased was the Grinder Ball from The Bacon Box. It was also a finalist for Best New State Fair Food.

Here is the description:

The Grinder Ball is a blend of bacon balls stuffed with mozzarella cheese, wrapped in bacon, rotisserie smoked and dipped in warm marinara sauce. The Grinder Ball is The Bacon Box’s new signature gluten-free take on the traditional State Fair Grinder.

Here are some pictures:


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

No reason to sugar coat it, this thing sucked. Just absolutely terrible. Easily the worst food I had at the fair.

I didn’t purchase anything else, but the Roland-Story FFA gave Scottie D. and I some peach cobbler:


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Seriously amazing. Maybe the best thing I had at the Iowa State Fair.

I also had some of Melissa’s Dill Pickle Flavored Cheese Curds from Brad & Harry’s Cheese Curds:


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

These were great and I would definitely have again!

On my 3rd trip to the Fair, I started out with the Iowa Twinkie.

Here is the description:

“A Texas staple with an Iowa twist.” A smoked bacon-wrapped jalapeno stuffed with pulled pork, sweet corn, cream cheese and ranch seasoning. It is then glazed with Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ & Brew house-made Sweet + Sticky BBQ sauce and drizzled with house-made ranch dressing.

Here are some pictures:


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

I voted for the Iowa Twinkie for the Best New Fair Food, but the Deep-Fried Bacon Brisket Mac-n-Cheese Grilled Cheese won. At least that awful Grinder Ball didn’t win.

As you know, I’m a big fan of the Italian Grinder. I’m still sad when I think about the loss of Jennie’s Grinders which was always my go to when I went to the Iowa State Fair until Jennie passes away a few years ago. I decided to give Aunt Mary’s Italian Grinders a shot.


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

It was a solid grinder, but as those of us in the grinder biz say: INJGG. It’s Not Jennie’s Grinders Grinder. But I would get it again.

That was the final thing I ate on my third trip from the Iowa State Fair.

On my 4th trip to the Iowa State Fair, the temperature was off the charts hot. heat index was over 100 degrees, which isn’t great for appetite. So I mostly just drank a ton of water. I mean a ton of water. But I did eat a couple things.

The first thing I tried was the Dough Crazy Sweet Stick from Dough Crazy.


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

While this thing was delicious, I don’t think I would get it again. It was actually TOO much. This was complete sugar overload.

Then I grabbed an Iowa State Fair staple on my way out the door. The Pork Chop on a Stick:


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

There was lots of successful eating at this year’s Iowa State Fair. I’m already excited to go back next year and eat some more!

Next Sunday’s food adventure will involve breakfast up in Minnesota!

Baby Got Rack Jr. Goes to the State Fair

This Sundays food adventure is a little different. Finally getting around to sharing pictures of Scott’s progeny Austin competing at the Iowa State Fair barbecue contest. I’ve went for a free trip to the State Fair and to photo-document Austin’s day. It is always interesting watching a Youth competition to see how much the parents do and how much the youth do. It was definitely all over the spectrum. A The booth to our west was the Story City FFA that were competing as a project. There was 4 or so of them and they did everything themselves. The booth next to them was a dad and his two kids. Both of his kids competed. I’m not sure I saw either of those kids lift a single finger the entire time. It showed when the judges showed up and they couldn’t answer any of their questions. Straight to the north of us was a young lady that did everything herself. Even (I found out later watching the Iowa State Fair Show on Iowa Public Television) raising the pig that the pork chops came from. To her east was a dad who entered the adult Turkey category and his kid. Another kid that I didn’t see do a whole lot. Then to their south and our east was a mother-son combination. I think he did a good portion of the work himself, but his mom was always present.

How much did Scottie D. do? He did some coaching and some meat cutting. But that was about it. When the judges were in the booth, Austin was completely on his own.

Here are some pictures from a great day:


Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Baby Got Rack Jr.  2023 - Iowa State Fair

Austin had a good time, but he did not place. The young lady that grew her own pig and also had people dressed in an inflatable pig got 2nd place. The young man to the east of us that worked with his mom won Youth and Showmanship. I didn’t get any pictures of them because they did a half Iowa State and half Iowa booth for a family divided theme and you know my camera can’t take pictures of Iowa Hawkeye stuff.

Next Sunday’s food adventure will involve another barbecue contest. This one in Guthrie Center.

WPC – WEEK 414 – ART

I’m leaving for Omaha later than I anticipated, so I did have time to get this post out on time.

ART! A great theme! But did it make a large number of people feel ARTistic enough to submit? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, August 14, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Mary Green – 2 weeks
2-Sara Lockner – 2 weeks
3-Mike Vest – 6 weeks
4-Suzie Brannen – 7 weeks
5-Sheri Fakhouri – 9 weeks (2)
6-Monica Jennings – 10 weeks
7-Logan Kahler – 10 weeks
8-Nathanial Brown – 11 weeks
9-Jesse Howard – 11 weeks
10-Tamara Peterson – 14 weeks
11-Alexis Stensland – 19 weeks
12-Mindi Terrell – 26 weeks (3)
13-Brandon Kahler – 50 weeks
14-Linda Bennett – 55 weeks (2)
15-Sarah Toot – 56 weeks
16-Angie DeWaard – 60 weeks
17-Dawn Krause – 64 weeks
18-Kim Barker – 70 weeks
19-Joe Duff – 71 weeks
20-Teresa Kahler – 82 weeks (3)
21-Carla Stensland – 82 weeks
22-Micky Augustin – 84 weeks
23-Andy Sharp – 85 weeks
24-Bill Wentworth – 86 weeks
25-Cathie Morton – 90 weeks
26-Elizabeth Nordeen – 91 weeks (2)
27-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 93 weeks
28-Kio Dettman – 95 weeks (2)

Here is a look at the updated THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE SUBMISSION MAP:



But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:


WEEK 414 - ART - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 20 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 86 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 61 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee (?????) – 1 week

WEEK 414 - ART - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 87 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 51 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Spirit Lake, Iowa) – 83 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 414 - ART - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 414 - ART - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Norwalk, Iowa) – 91 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Des Moines, Iowa)

WEEK 414 - ART - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 65 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 414 - ART - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 92 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, Iowa) – 12 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 72 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas)

WEEK 414 - ART - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Ames, Iowa) – 71 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 96 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 414 - ART - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Ann Arbor, Michigan) – 56 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 414 - ART - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 414 - ART - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, Iowa) – 11 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 414 - ART - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Elkader, Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Elkader, Iowa)

WEEK 414 - ART - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 85 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 7 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 27 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 414 - ART - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 414 - ART - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, Iowa) – 11 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa)

WEEK 414 - ART - NADER PARSAEI
Nader Parsaei (Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 414 - ART - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 12 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 414 - ART - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, Iowa)

WEEK 414 - ART - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, Iowa)

WEEK 414 - ART - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania) – 57 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania)

WEEK 414 - ART - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, Iowa) – 94 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 10 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 15 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, Iowa) – 83 weeks

WEEK 414 - ART - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Des Moines, Iowa)

WEEK 414 - ART - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa State University – Ames, Iowa)

WEEK 414 - ART - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (McHose Park – Boone, Iowa) – 1 week

32 participants this week! That is a great week!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Michigan
+ Nebraska
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Louisiana
+ Maryland
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Missouri
+ Montana
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ North Carolina
+ North Dakota
+ Ohio
+ Oklahoma
+ Oregon
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Carolina
+ South Dakota
+ Tennessee
+ Texas
+ Utah
+ Washington
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin
+ Wyoming

33 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive! Over 60% of the way there!

This is the list of current missing states:
+ Alabama
+ Alaska
+ Connecticut
+ Delaware
+ Hawaii
+ Idaho
+ Indiana
+ Kentucky
+ Maine
+ Massachussetts
+ Mississippi
+ New Hampshire
+ New Mexico
+ Rhode Island
+ Vermont
+ Virginia
+ West Virginia

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico (General)
+ Isla Mujeres, Mexico
+ Riviera Maya, Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Vallunareju Norte – Peru
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

The big accomplish week this week was Sheri joining the Double Digits Streak Club! WooHoo!

But it wasn’t all good news. Suzie’s 7 week streak came crashing to a halt. The humanity!

But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:


WEEK 415 - SHADOW
SHADOW

SHADOW! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what exactly is a SHADOW photo? Simply put it is a picture where a SHADOW plays a major compositional element.

While considering a possible subject for your SHADOW picture meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with a fascinating interpretation.

To light a candle is to cast a shadow.
-Ursula K. Le Guin

I look forward to seeing your interpretation!

RULES

The picture has to be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch (unless you are taking your picture from the couch) and take pictures challenge. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of SHADOW in this place that is a candle in my life next Monday.