Ankeny Cook Claims State Fair Creative Canning Crown

DES MOINES, IA (09/04/2024) (readMedia)-- Sharon Lesan of Ankeny won first place and a $350 gift card in the Be Creative with Mrs. Wages competition judged Sunday, August 11, at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Jacqueline Riekena of West Des Moines claimed second place and a $100 gift card. Kim Peterson of Granger earned third place and a $50 gift card.

Contestants were tasked to create an award-worthy dish using either pickles or tomatoes canned with a Mrs. Wages product.

Entries were judged on taste and appearance.

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. There were 140 divisions, 726 classes and over 6,400 entries at this year's Fair. Food Department judging is held in the Elwell Family Food Center.

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The Iowa State Fair is one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country and the single largest event in the state. The Fair began 170 years ago and is now considered one of the best events in the nation, attracting more than one million Fairgoers every year from all over the world. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University, just off the interstate and minutes from Downtown Des Moines. Catch Fair Fever at the Iowa State Fair, August 8-18, 2024. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.