Creativity Abounds in Concrete Horse Statues at State Fair

DES MOINES, IA (08/11/2015)(readMedia)-- Forty-three concrete horse statues were painted by local artists to celebrate our agricultural roots at the Iowa State Fair. The statues were judged prior to the 2015 Iowa State Fair and will be on display during the Fair, August 13-23.

Individuals, clubs and companies had the opportunity to showcase their talents in the professional or novice categories and decorate the concrete statue any way they chose. Entries were judged on the basis of originality, creativity and overall look.

First-place winners received $150 plus 10 admission tickets, two parking passes and $40 worth of food tickets. Created in Johnston donated the funds for the first-place awards. Second-place winners received $100 plus eight admission tickets, one parking pass and $30 worth of food tickets. Third-place winners received $50 plus six admission tickets, one parking pass and $15 worth of food tickets. All winners and honorable mentions will receive an Iowa State Fair plaque. Plaques and ribbons will be given out to all place winners and honorable mention winners on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi on August 22 at 1:30 p.m.

Complete Results below:

NOVICE

1) Nothing Compares to Small Town Schools by Angela Davidson, Martensdale St. Mary's School District

2) "Neigh"ture by Angie Witmer

3) Jewels by Rammie Brafford Goemaat sponsored by Herman's Fine Jewelry

Honorable Mention) Captain A "Mare"ica by Carter Cooley

Honorable Mention) The Palmers and the Rasmussens, 69 and 71 years at the Fair, Manilla, IA, Happy Campers sponsored by Manilla Times

Honorable Mention) American Spirit by Pamela Kline and Kennedy Rorebeck

Honorable Mention) Making a Mark with the Magic of Memories by Margaret Eshelman and Betty Backstrom

Honorable Mention) The Furrow By The Damman Family

PROFESSIONAL

1) A Tribute to the Working Horse by Missy Sharer-Pieters, Messy Missy's Studio and Sharer Farms

2) #IowasFinest by Emma Palmer assisted by Matt Palmer

3) Unspoken Friendships by Kathy Stevens, Art by Kat sponsored by Circuit Master CB

Honorable Mention) Buena Vista Campus Tour by Buena Vista University

Honorable Mention) Blue Ribbon Foundation's Filly By Sticks Inc.

To be entered in the professional division, 25 percent or more of the entrant's income must come from graphic design or artistry related work.

Visit http://www.iowastatefair.org/fair-attractions/contests/ for a printable map with a listing of all the concrete statue locations.

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Frequently ranked as one of the top events in the country, the Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair located at East 30th and East University, just 10 minutes from downtown Des Moines is Iowa's greatest celebration with a salute to the best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement. "Nothing Compares" to the 2015 Iowa State Fair, August 13-23, 2015. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.