Iowa State Un-Fair: Why I DON'T Like It
22nd of August 2016
Everyone has his or her opinion about the Iowa State Fair. Some people like it, and that's fine. I might not like it at all, but there isn't anything wrong with liking it. It's great that people can find some good in it. I know I may still get some heat on this, but that's to be expected. I welcome it as long as it's constructive and not in a childish manner (I know that's expecting a lot as well, but I thought I'd put that out there anyways). With all that in mind, I'll tell you why I don't like the Iowa State Fair (ISF).
Every time I go to the ISF, I feel like I don't see anything different. I've heard people tell me "You just have to look for it." Really?! Do I? Why can't they just point out what's different? They have a butter cow every year, and they also have some sort of themed buttered sculpture next to it. That's the only thing that changes, and that's not a reason for me to come out and pay $12 for admission. Every local TV news station will have video on it at some point.
The ISF is supposed to be a time for Iowans to get together and celebrate what is Iowa. Instead, you get Facebook pages such as People at the Iowa State Fair which mocks people. When I first got on that page, I thought it was just to show who all goes out there, not to make fun of people for having a good time. It makes fun of people's weight, what they are wearing, how many kids they have, the list goes on and on. I saw one of my friends make the list, and I was surprised at how many people jumped in to make fun of her. I was even more surprised to see how many people defended her. I was one of them.
Another problem I have is the prices of everything. Admission would be decent at $12 if there was more new things every year. And I know people complain about $12, but most of them pay more for other local events, such as races, balloon classic, you name it, it's just as much (keep in mind that I'm only paying for one and don't have kids. This would be different if I did, I'm sure). I just think the ISF needs some things new each year and to sell the hell out of it so the public knows to look for it. The prices I have a problem with are the vendors. I remember one year, I bought a corn dog that was sitting under a heat lamp (it costed $5). Later that day, I went to a BBQ place for a sandwich that was warmed up in the microwave ($7). I could do that at home. The vendors are a rip-off, and how often do they change the oil in the fryers? The scent of used fryer oil should out-smell the various types of manure out there.
Let's get back to the admission price. It's not bad. It really isn't. However, if all a person is going for is a grandstand act, they have to pay ISF admission. That IS ridiculous. It's not just those going to see the grandstand acts. It's any employee for the vendors as well. So not only do they have to work in an enclosed area for a majority of the day, they have to pay to come to work. Some of the employers pay for it, but there are some that don't. I don't know the stats on that, but it does happen. It's wrong.
The biggest pet peeve I have, be it Fair Time or not, is littering. I see the flags waving everywhere, and just beneath the flag in it's shadow is litter. Littering to me shows lack of pride in where one lives. It tells me they don't care about who uses it next. People flat out have no regard for manners any more, and it bugs me to no end. It doesn't take much to throw away trash. I walked around the ISF a lot, and there are PLENTY of trash cans around.
One reason people have given for not going to the ISF is that they won't change their weapons policy. I think that's one thing they're doing RIGHT! There are children going to the ISF, and guns are a safety hazard. I don't want to hear about what a responsible gun owner is. I know what a responsible gun owner is. I just don't think a permit makes a responsible gun owner just like a driver's license doesn't make a responsible driver's license. When I see anyone with a gun, badge or not, I see him or her as a threat. The difference is the gun with a badge has legal permission to have it (although I still have trust issues). Everyone wants to be the hero, but they don't have the skill to do it. This isn't the Wild West any more. Quit thinking you're Wyatt Earp.
The ISF lobbied for a law to be passed on when the first day of school started. The schools were starting during the ISF, and the ISF didn't want it to affect attendance numbers. Go back to the second paragraph to see how to improve attendance numbers. I am one who thinks the schools should determine when school starts, and I think education is highly under-funded. If we put the ISF as more of a priority than the education of children, we are already living the movie title Idiocracy. The attendance numbers are rigged anyways. People who work have to pay to get in. ISF rule. That goes into the attendance. The entertainment has to pay to get in. ISF rule. That goes into the attendance. The ISF isn't about Iowa any more. It's about numbers. That's all you hear about from the ISF.
To me, the ISF isn't about Iowa any more. It's always been about money and other numbers. The last numbers I've seen have attendance down from last year. Last year was a record setting year, and that was when the State passed the School Start Date Bill. I still believe that was passed ONLY TO HELP THE ISF. I can only wonder when society will get it's priorities straight.
