HAMMIN' IT UP WITH BLOG HOG HAMILTON

Yep, it's hot enough here to pop popcorn outside! I wish I was in Iowa enjoying the fair! Although it's sometimes called the "Corn State," 90% of the land in Iowa is devoted to farming. The main products are corn and hogs! Iowa was named for the Iowa River, which was named for the Iowa, or Ioway, Indians.

The internationally known Iowa State Fair (August 11-21) is the state's largest event and one of the largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the United States, attracting nearly one million visitors each year. The fair is home to one of the world's largest livestock shows, including exhibitions of dairy and beef cattle, sheep, hogs, horses and poultry. 

Butter sculpture is an ancient Tibetan Buddhist tradition using yak butter to create symbols for the Tibetan New Year and other religious celebrations. The Iowa State Fair is celebrating its 100th anniversary of the Iowa State Fair Butter Cow this year! The Butter Cow starts with a wood, metal, wire, and steel mesh frame and about 600 lbs. of Iowa butter. Once inside the 40-degree cooler, layers of butter are applied until a life-size butter cow emerges, measuring about 5-1/2-ft high and 8-ft long.  Much of the butter is recycled and reused for up to 10 years. 

The fair hosts over 45 competitions, including the Battle of the Butter.  Each team will receive one 55 pound block of butter and have 30 minutes to sculpt. Winning sculptures will be displayed alongside the world famous Butter Cow in the Agriculture Building. John Karl Daniels, born in St. Paul, Minnesota, was the first sculptor at the Iowa State Fair in 1911-1912. He also created sculptures for the Minnesota State Fair. In the early 1900s, Daniels started doing butter sculptures to make extra money. Several stone and marble statues are on public display in throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Sarah Pratt of West Des Moines has been the Iowa State Fair sculptor since 2006. Her sculptures have featured fictional characters such as Harry Potter and Dr. Seuss. 

How about some real corny jokes from a corny pig?

Q: Two silk worms were in a race; what was the result?

A: A tie!

Q: What do you call the bottom of a boat made from popcorn?
A: A hull!


Q: Did you hear about the popcorn that joined the army?
A: They made him a kernel.


A: What do you call fat popcorn?
A: Husky.

Ready for some Crazy Frog?  He's poppin' up everywhere, even under the sea!