News briefs

DES MOINES — Artists from across the state put their creativity to the test in the Iowa State Fair concrete statue contest, judged prior to the start of the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Mason’s Light House in Grinnell won first place in the novice category with a piece called “Dog Days of Summer.”

Artists were tasked with creating an award-winning, theme-painted, concrete bushel basket of corn. The concrete statues are on display in various locations throughout the Fairgrounds. Statues were judged on originality, creativity and overall look.

Conroy photographers win at Fair

DES MOINES — Photographers from New York to central Iowa submitted their best photographs to the 84th Annual Photography Salon prior to the beginning of the 2024 Iowa State Fair. The theme class was “Leading Lines.” Photographers were asked to create images that draw viewers into the photo.

More than 2,579 photos were entered, and 833 photos were accepted into the Photography Salon. The photography entries will be on display on the third floor of the Patty and Jim Cownie Cultural Center at the State Fair.

Samantha Hunt, of Grinnell, took second in the adult, color division.

Cody Davis, of Grinnell earned honorable mentions in the USA places and landscapes category and in the animals, insects and wildlife category.

Bethany Gorsch, of Williamsburg, received an honorable mention in panoramic.

Conroy artists honored at State Fair

DES MOINES — Young artists from across the Midwest created award-worthy drawings in the Ag Art competition, judged prior to the start of the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Each entry was a drawing demonstrating the theme Farm Fever.

Sandy Snyder, of Conroy earned first place and Shambria Laffer, of Conroy, took third in the intellectual and developmental disabilities category.

Iowa County wineries win honor at Fair

DES MOINES — Vintners and winemakers from across the state put their best bottles to the test in the Iowa Wine Competition, judged prior to the start of the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

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Ackerman Winery, in Amana, took gold for its Iowa Rhubarb. Fireside Winery, in Marengo, earned a silver for its Marquette, its Brianna, Glow and Fizzy Firefly, and Ackerman’s earned a silver for its Mead, its Blackberry, its Cranberry Fizz and Cranberry and Apple.

Fireside earned bronze for its La Crescent and its Brickyard Hill White.

Farmers throw horseshoes at fair

DES MOINES — Grinnell residents competed in the Farmers' Championship division of the Horseshoe Pitching Tournament Aug. 8, at the Iowa State Fair.

The Fair hosts both Championship and Open Class competitions every Fair day. Division winners are crowned daily.

Sheryl Mason, of Grinnell, placed second in the Championship Division, and Valerie Hammond, also of Grinnell, finished second in Class B.

Benton Community wins awards at fair

DES MOINES — Benton Community FFA entries were among the 80 restored tractors, metalworking and woodworking entries that won top awards in the Agricultural Mechanics Technology competition at the Iowa State Fair.

Cade Volesky, Benton Community FFA, Van Horne, won for restored farm equipment.

Benton Community FFA, Van Horne, placed fifth in Chapter Award.

Grinnell woman 4th in horseshoes

DES MOINES — A Grinnell woman finished fourth in the Open Singles Horseshoe Tournament Aug. 9 at the Iowa State Fair.

Stacey Coleman placed fourth in Class D behind Sara Heeley, of Van Meter and Angie Richards and Kelly Birkenholts, of Newton.

Marengo girl wins in photography class

DES MOINES — Carli Kanke, with Marengo FFA, took first place in the FFA photography category at the Iowa State Fair.

More than 1,000 entries were judged. Samantha Wilbur of Paullina and the South O'Brien FFA won the Best of Show title, and Lainey Friest of Jewell and the South Hamilton FFA claimed Reserve Best of Show honors.

Marengo FFA was sixth in Chapter Award.

Benton girl has winning crop

DES MOINES — Belle Werner, with Benton Community FFA in Van Horne, earned a reserve champion award in forages, grasses and legumes at the Iowa State Fair Aug. 8.

Sixty-six FFA members submitted 374 exhibits in the Farm Crops contest

Benton Community FFA placed sixth in Chapter Awards.

FFA Horse Competitors horse around

DES MOINES — High Point Exhibitor honors were awarded to Taylor McCreedy of Atlantic FFA, Atlantic, at the FFA Horse Show at the Iowa State Fair.

Raynee LaGrange, Benton Community FFA, of Van Horne, showed the champion pony Western Pleasure.

Jessica Crawford, Benton Community FFA, of Van Horne, showed the reserve champion senior Western Pleasure and won champion showing.

Benton Community FFA finished fifth in the equestrian team award out of 47 chapters.