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Photos: Iowa State Fair
Aug. 8, 2019 7:53 pm, Updated: Aug. 8, 2019 8:50 pm
The Iowa State Fair kicked off Thursday with exhibits, food, fair rides and presidential candidates. The fair runs through Aug. 18 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.
A rider on the Sky Glider East displays a Trump 2020 flag during the opening day of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Fairgoers seek shelter from rain and thunder along the Grand Concourse on the mornimg of the opening day of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
The Chief from The Rib Shack is one of three Best New Food Finalist at the 2019 Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. Navajo fried bread is served topped with slow-smoked brisket, cilantro lime slaw and a salsa cream drizzle. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Former Vice President and Democratic presidential hopeful waves to fairgoers as he arrives to speak at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the opening day of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Four-year-old Byron Clark of Iowa City inpects an ostrich egg on display at the Iowa Ostrich Association booth in the Agriculture Building during the opening day of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Produce sits on a table following judging in the Agriculture Building during the opening day of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Media and fairgoers gather to watch Democratic presidential hopeful Montana Governor Steve Bullock speak at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the opening day of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Seventeen-year-old Mikayla VonBehren of Anamosa removes a bridle from her horse Winston in the Horse Barn after competing at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. VonBehren won grand champion halter and reserve grand champion trail and was a finalist for showmanship. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Biden supporters stake out a bench near the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the opening day of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Steve Bereza of Pennsylvania holds up a campaign sign as former Vice President and Democratic presidential Joe Biden speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the opening day of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Cakes await judging in the Elwell Family Food Center during the opening day of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Food superintendent Karen McGilligan walks past tables of cakes awaiting judging at the Elwell Family Food Center during the opening day of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Former Vice President and Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the opening day of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Fairgoers walk along E. 31st Street as the midmorning rain clears out during the opening day of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Media and fairgoers gather to watch Democratic presidential hopeful Montana Governor Steve Bullock speak at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the opening day of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Former Vice President and Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden waves to fairgoers as he arrives to speak at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the opening day of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Media and fairgoers gather to watch Democratic presidential hopeful Montana Governor Steve Bullock speak at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the opening day of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
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