The Iowa State Fair will celebrate the 90th birthday of Baby Mine at the 2019 Fair in the form of a concrete statue contest. Baby Mine was a baby elephant that 15,000 Iowa children helped sponsor and name by sending in nearly $1,000 in nickels and dimes. Baby Mine debuted at the 1929 Fair and 25,000 children showed up the first day of the Fair to meet it. A replica of Baby Mine is located in Fun Forest near the children’s train and playground.

This year, to celebrate the 90th birthday of Baby Mine at the Fair, individuals, clubs and companies are invited to participate in the concrete sculpture contest by completing the application with their proposed design. Selected applicants will then pick up the statue from the concrete manufacturer, paint it, and return it to the Fair for display. You can take part in the 2019 Iowa State Fair theme “Nothing Compares to State Fair Favorites” by creating your very own State Fair Baby Mine concrete elephant statue.

To enter, submit your entry form along with a written description and drawing of your proposed design. Novice and professional division entry forms can be downloaded from the Iowa State Fair website: http://www.iowastatefair.org/participate/fairtime-contests/.
All entries must be postmarked by April 1. Selected applicants will be notified by May 1; a $140 entry fee is due before statue pick up.

A panel of judges will award prizes for completed statues based on originality, creativity and overall look in both the professional and novice divisions. Participants will be judged in the “professional” category if 25 percent or more of their income comes from graphic design or art.

All winners receive a prize package including an Iowa State Fair plaque, admission tickets, parking and more. The first, second and third place winners also receive $150, $100 and $50 cash prizes, respectively. Winner’s names will be displayed with their sculptures during the Fair.

Send entries to:
Tonya Cook, Special Events Director
Iowa State Fair
PO Box 57130
Des Moines, Iowa 50317-0003

Or e-mail all materials to tcook@iowastatefair.org

For questions about the contest, contact Tonya Cook at 515-262-3111, ext. 215 or tcook@iowastatefair.org.