Food: Gingerbread Historic Grain Elevator

Gingerbread Prairie Skyscrapers Win State Fair Awards

Brenda Klyn of Pella won first place and a $50 cash award in the Gingerbread Historic Grain Elevator contest judged Friday, August 9, at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Contestants were tasked to construct a gingerbread replica of an Iowa grain elevator, with all components of the elevator being edible.

Entries were judged on structural integrity, attention to detail, appearance and elevator background information.

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. There were 140 divisions, 726 classes and over 6,400 entries at this year’s Fair. Food Department judging is held in the Elwell Family Food Center.