Food - Gingerbread Historic Grain Elevator

Gingerbread Grain Elevator Wins State Fair Baking Honors

Brenda Klyn of Pella won first place and a $50 cash award in the Gingerbread Historic Grain Elevator competition judged Friday, August 11, at the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Contestants were tasked to construct a gingerbread replica of an Iowa grain elevator, with a components of the elevator being edible.

Entries were judged on structural integrity, attention to detail, appearance and elevator background information.

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. There are 138 divisions, 695 classes and over 6,800 entries at this year’s Fair. Food Department judging is held in the Elwell Family Food Center.