Thursday, August 18th, 2011 12:05:35

Nothing Compares to the Iowa State Fair

It’s vast, it’s crowded, it’s fattening and it’s fun. “Nothing Compares to the Iowa State Fair.” The slogan is aptly deserved.

The fair is held in Des Moines, Iowa, on a 400-acre tract of land situated next to 160 acres of campgrounds. While more than 100,000 people attended the fair this past Friday, the crowds were manageable.

The first Iowa State Fair was held in 1854 in Fairfield. These days, more than a million people per year attend during its 10-day run. It began this year on Aug. 21, the same day as the first Iowa Republican presidential debate, which was held last Thursday in nearby Ames.

Last weekend, the Republican contenders visited the fair, which even attracted ever-perennial and ever-potential candidate Sarah Palin.