The 1960s – Heritage Fairs

In 1960, new additions included free acts on the Plaza Stage (now the Anne and Bill Riley Stage), major exhibits open until 9 p.m. and new entertainment features. Norma “Duffy” Lyon took over sculpting the butter cow, the third person and first woman to do so. (She retired in 2006.)

The Fair of 1961 marked the return of major machinery exhibitors housed in a tent. In 1962, Kenneth Fulk, working with the newly-created Iowa Agricultural Marketing Division, was named secretary/manager.

For the first time, Grand Avenue was closed to traffic and transformed into the “Grand Concourse” for the 1963 Fair. More than 60 high school bands played and paraded on the street. Other firsts included the 4-H Saddle Horse and Pony Show, pony pulling, free tent camping and a main gate sign proclaiming “The Finest from Farm and Factory.” A little train transported Fairgoers around the grounds for a small fee. The Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce presented a citation to the family that earned the most blue ribbons in county and state fairs during the previous year. A video taken at the Fair was shown to Latin American theater audiences.

In 1964, the Clearfield Lions began providing shuttle buses between the Campgrounds and Fairgrounds. The first State Fair Queen pageant, in its current form, was held.

A new focus on Iowa’s history in 1965 led to major additions in Heritage Village each year, starting with two wickiups on display. Andy Williams (of Wall Lake, Iowa) performed for five nights in the Grandstand. The Osmond Brothers also appeared with him. Connie Shafar of Taylor County was named State Fair Queen. The International Motor Contest Association celebrated its 50th anniversary.

A replica of one of the Ft. Madison Blockhouses and a totem pole were added to Heritage Village for the 1966 Fair. International college students in native dress staffed the International Palace, featuring cuisine and art from around the world. Midget car races were added to the racing lineup for the first time. “Gold circle” seating was introduced in the Grandstand. Lawrence Welk performed six shows in the Grandstand as well. A parade was held the day before the Fair started. The Baby Beef Show celebrated its 50th anniversary. For the first time the Fair grossed more than $1 million.

A $125,000 model home was added to the grounds, complete with a swimming pool, for the 1967 Fair. It would later become the manager’s residence. An exact replica of the first church ever built in Iowa was added to Heritage Village. The Talent Search Champion was awarded a 1967 Ford Mustang. Despite mile-long traffic jams to enter the grounds, attendance topped 600,000.

Bob Hope, Eddie Arnold, John Davidson and the world-famous pianist Liberace performed in the Grandstand during the 1968 Fair. As a tribute to the one-room country schools that made Iowa a national leader in educating its children, the North Lincoln Country School, then located southeast of Indianola, was donated to Heritage Village. The school is furnished just as it was in the late 1800s, with a wood-burning stove, desks fastened to the floor, a recitation bench and a teacher’s chair. An all-time high $236,509 was offered in premiums. New offerings included a Dairy Goat Show, a newly-constructed Dairy Parlor, a “Hall of Law Enforcement,” plus cookie and cake decorating demonstrations. Despite two days of rain and five days of “excessively hot” and humid weather, attendance reached 561,267.

The “Casa De Redondo” modern fiberglass home was a popular attraction at the 1969 Fair. A Herbert Hoover birthplace exhibit also drew large crowds. The “Dog Style Show,” “Kiddie Cattle Capers” and a zebra hitch were all new. Master Jack’s and Steer and Stein both replaced their concession tents with permanent structures. Pioneer Hall’s Iowa Museum of Agriculture opened to the public, displaying half an acre of Iowa artifacts