Events and Activities : Butter Extravaganza and Grand Opening Discounts at 2011 Iowa State Fair

On opening day, August 11, the Iowa State Fair will kick-off the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the world-famous Butter Cow, an Iowa State Fair tradition since 1911. Fairgoers can receive discounted admission with a half-price coupon, found in the Fair's August 7 daily program. The 2011 Fair runs August 11-21.

The opening ceremony will include the unveiling of the 2011 Butter Cow and companion sculpture as well as a free piece of cake for the first 1000 people. The festivities will begin at 8:30 a.m. in front of the John Deere Agriculture Building.

From 6 a.m. to noon Fairgoers can take advantage of half-price admission with a coupon featured in the Iowa State Fair daily program special section of the August 7 issue of The Des Moines Register. One coupon per person ($5 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-11, children 5 and under are free; parking not included). Gate admission is also half-price after 5 p.m. Monday through Thursdays.

The Fairgrounds will be filled with Butter Cow tributes in all shapes, sizes and materials, ranging from cans and sand to flowers and wood. In addition, more than 60 concrete cows designed and painted by Iowans will be on display. Fairgoers can pick up a limited edition brochure from the Agriculture Building or any information booth with a listing of all the butter tributes and fun activities.

The daily contest Battle of the Butter will begin at 4 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage where contestants will compete to sculpt a 55 lb. block of butter into a work of art. The daily winning sculptures will be displayed alongside the 2011 Butter Cow in the Agriculture Building.

Fair fun continues all day with contests, food, games and entertainment including performances by The Oak Ridge Boys, Tonic Sol-fa, Jay and the Americans, and The Nadas. Christian music stars Casting Crowns will perform on the Grandstand stage at 8 p.m. Tickets for the Grandstand show are $30 (plus convenience charges) and are available now through Ticketmaster outlets and the Iowa State Fair Box Office.

For a complete listing of opening day and Butter Cow-related activities visit iowastatefair.org.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2011 Iowa State Fair, August 11-21. For more information, call

800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.