Last Chance to Submit Iowa State Fair "My State Fair" Stories

DES MOINES, IA (07/16/2015)(readMedia)-- We want to know what makes the Iowa State Fair special to you. Did you meet your spouse at the Iowa State Fair? Do you have an Iowa State Fair family tradition? Are there concerts you must see and food you must eat each year? Each experience at the Iowa State Fair is unique and the Iowa State Fair is looking for "My State Fair" stories like this:

Arlette Hollister has been attending the Iowa State Fair for over 50 years, and has spent every Fair for the past 29 as the Foods Department Superintendent. When asked what her favorite Fair memory is, she said, "I have had several celebrities as judges but my top person was Tony Snow. I got to have a nice long conversation one on one with him for quite a length of time. He was such a caring and compassionate person."

For Arlette, the Fair is all about the people that she surrounds herself with during the eleven day event. "Every year I look forward to preparing our department and being glad 'our family' is back to help." Along with the contestants, workers and judges that she calls her family, Arlette's husband Glen and her grandchildren are often at the Fair with her and have even helped in the food department in the past.

Perhaps Arlette's favorite part of the Iowa State Fair is the importance of tradition to so many attendees. When asked what she would say to someone that has never attended the Fair, Arlette says, "Enjoy all the opportunities to learn and observe a very great tradition available to us."

Like Arlette, we know the Iowa State Fair is special to many people for many different reasons. We want to hear your "My State Fair" story. To share your story, visit our website at iowastatefair.org/mystatefair. The deadline for submitting stories is July 24, 2015. Your story may be used by the Iowa State Fair for promotional purposes, but not without your written permission. Filming for the 2016 advertising campaign will take place during the 2015 Iowa State Fair, August 13-23.

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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.