Brick work on the east façade of the Iowa State Fair’s Sheep Barn to be finished after the 2024 Fair. (RI photo)
Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa State Fair is underway in Des Moines, and a 25-million-dollar project to restore the historic livestock barns at the Iowa State Fairgrounds is being celebrated. Peter Cownie, executive director of Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation, says work on the Sheep Barn is nearly complete and the Horse Barn is next on the list.
The opening ceremonies for this year’s Iowa State Fair were staged in front of the Sheep Barn, where sheep shows were already underway. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig wished the exhibitors who’ve brought their livestock to the fair good luck.
Darwin Gaudian of Primghar, who’s now the president of the Iowa State Fair Board, says this year’s Fair may provide a welcome distraction for Iowans who’ve been dealing with damage from this year’s severe storms.
Gaudian is also the president of the O’Brien County Fair Board.
