The Iowa State Fair, which begins on Thursday and runs through Aug. 23, is one of the oldest and most storied state fairs in the country. It is a shining display of the state’s heartland agriculture, with 600-lb. butter-sculpted cows, rows of gleaming yellow corn and livestock judged on the basis of shoulder height, stride length and “attractive rib design.”
LIFE photographer John Dominis attended the fair in its 101st year, 1955, and captured much of what today’s attendees would see too—save for some wardrobe updates. The excitement contained within his Technicolor images was encapsulated by the observation one young visitor made that year. “Except for Christmas,” he said, “it’s the most important thing that happens all year.”
Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter @lizabethronk.
A neon sign lights up the entrance to the Iowa State Fair, 1955.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesPatrons trade stories at Iowa State Fair, 1955.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesPatrons get silly photos taken at the Iowa State Fair, 1955.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesPatrons walk under a sign for the "2 Headed Cow" exhibit at the Iowa State Fair, 1955.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesThrill-seekers enjoy a ride at the Iowa State Fair, 1955.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesChildren observe a small monkey doing tricks at the Iowa State Fair, 1955.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesSheep handlers show their sheep to judges at the Iowa State Fair, 1955.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Exhausted handlers, after a long day of grooming these fine Ayrshire cattle, sleep on cots beside their entries on the night before the stock judging.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesA handler and his sheep at the Iowa State Fair, 1955.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Butter sculpture in refrigerated case draws admiring stares from visitors who are invited to compete for prices by guessing weight of the butter.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesYoung men set up a booth promoting vocational agricultural training at the Iowa State Fair, 1955.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesWomen work in the jams and jellies display at the Iowa State Fair, 1955.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Vigorous vegetables, awarded first prize in the individual vegetable class, are artfully displaced in the Agricultural Building.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesHorses are put to work at the Iowa State Fair, 1955.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCars draw a crowd in a scene from the Iowa State Fair, 1955.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesFairgoers watch a woman dance onstage at the Iowa State Fair, 1955.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesA boy sits at a booth selling merchandise at the Iowa State Fair, 1955.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesA tired child takes a nap in the shade at the Iowa State Fair, 1955.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesA view of the carnival rides lit up at night at the Iowa State Fair, 1955.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
