Waukee Winners Named in Iowa State Fair Contests

The Iowa State Fair may be best known for some of the best food, entertainment and attractions in the state of Iowa, but nothing compares to its contests.

According to Iowa State Fair website, the Fair hosts more than 50,000 exhibitors and contestants during its 11-day run.  It also boasts one of the world’s largest livestock shows, the largest competitive food department of any state fair in the country and Iowa's largest art show. Almost 45,000 blue ribbons will be awarded during the Fair this year.

A few of those blue ribbons have already been handed out to Waukee residents.

Take Andrew Schmitz for instance. Schmitz, of Waukee, really knows his jellies and marmalades. He took First Place Overall with his peach marmalade in the C&H Canned Marmalade competition; first place with his elderberry jelly and third place with his red raspberry jelly in the C&H Classic Iowa Canned Jellies competition; and First Place Overall with his red raspberry jam in the C&H Classic Iowa Canned Jam competition.

Schmitz also took first place in Famous Dave’s Canned Pickles competition, dilled green or yellow wax beans division.

Waukee residents know their threads, too. Karen Pavlik was awarded second place in the Traditional Pattern division of the Fabrics and Threads Quilting contest, as well as a first place finish in the pillow division of the Fabric and Threads Counted Cross Stitch contest.

Tricia Beal Snyder took home first place honors in the Kit/Block of the Month division and Lorna Heemstra earned a Honorable Mention for her Holiday Quilt, both in the Fabrics and Threads Quilting contest.

The Iowa State Fair ends August 21. Admission is $10 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-12 and children 5 and under are free. For more information, visit the Iowa State Fair website.