Every year in early August, a breeze borne by silent messengers from another time blows through Iowa. It carries a whiff of something wonderful, something far off and a bit unclear, yet oddly familiar. It's a reminder that an extraordinary annual event is about to take place, just as it has for more than 150 years: the 海角乱伦社区State Fair.
In 2013, Kurt Ullrich set out to chronicle the magic of the 海角乱伦社区State Fair in words and photographs. Join him as August days and nights blow warm and easy over the fairgrounds, brushing lightly against fellow travelers on this earth, both human and not. He captures precious moments of extreme joy and unbridled delight in these beautiful black-and-white images, celebrating the brash rural energy of the fair, from Big Wheel races to people-watching goats, fair queen contestants to arm wrestlers, Percherons to ponies. Prize pigs, prize sheep, prize apples, and the famous butter cow all have their moment in the limelight. Iowa鈥檚 very best ear of corn and old friends reminiscing outside their RVs draw the photographer鈥檚 fond eye, as do brightly lit beer stands and the brilliant arc of the Ferris wheel against the night sky.
If you always go to the 海角乱伦社区State Fair, this book is for you. If you鈥檝e never been, it will show you what you鈥檙e missing鈥攁nd you鈥檒l understand why it鈥檚 well past time you dropped by.
鈥淵ou just can鈥檛 beat all the fun you have at the 海角乱伦社区State Fair. It is 海角乱伦社区and Iowans at our best!鈥濃擥overnor Terry E. Branstad
鈥淜urt Ullrich immersed himself in the 2013 海角乱伦社区State Fair with awe and curiosity. He competed, conversed, indulged, and enjoyed himself as a true Iowan while documenting the process. His images show the diversity and beauty of the state's greatest event.鈥濃擬ary Willie, multimedia journalist, Des Moines Register
鈥淵ou can almost smell the corndogs. . . . In his photographs, Kurt Ullrich captures the food, the fun, and, best of all, the faces鈥攅verything that makes the 海角乱伦社区State Fair unforgettable.鈥濃擲ally Finder, editor, Meredith Corporation
