When Jason and I looked at the calendar to pick out a wedding date I was pretty adamant that we get married August 11. Why? Because I knew it would be the opening weekend of the Iowa State Fair.
The Iowa State Fair is very special to me. My parents went there on their first date and I grew up going to the fair at least three times every year. The fair was, and is, like Christmas–only better. Before I go to the fair I can hardly sleep. I just can’t wait to get to the fair and get a corn dog, see the butter cow, go antique shopping in Pioneer Hall, and all the other amazingness that is the fair.
Our wedding had a bit of a fair theme, so it seemed right to spend our first day as a married couple at the fair.
With our friend and bridesmaid Liz… who had never been to the fair before.
I’ve wanted to take Liz to the fair for a couple of years now, and it was really a fascinating experience to see the fair through her eyes. Jason and I come from pretty similar backgrounds. Jason didn’t grow up on a farm but was pretty deeply entrenched in agriculture, and I did grow up on a farm. Even though we aren’t supporters of industrial, modern agriculture, we see huge steers and boars pretty similarly. It’s something we’re used to.
Liz, however, was different. She saw things very differently and it was really interesting to learn from her as she learned from us about the ins and outs of the state fair, livestock, and fun fair smells.
Of course it wasn’t all serious, we had to have some Bauder’s peppermint bars (omgah) and ride the Sky Glider.
Liz only got to experience about half of the fair before she had to drive back to Cedar Rapids, so we will have to continue the tour next year.
Jason and I on the other hand stuck around and went to one of our favorite places in the world, the Iowa Craft Beer Tent. But more on that later this week…
“Is this barn going to smell?”
“Yes Liz, it’s the fair.”
“Dangit.”
Next year we’ll take to you to more of the non-smelly places. You’ll have to stay overnight for that though.