Food: Having a "Ball" with Cheese

Urbandale Cook Named State Fair Cheese Ball Champ

Jessica Fenton of Urbandale won first place and a $60 cash award in the Having a “Ball” With Cheese competition judged Monday, August 12, at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Cheryl Pike of Altoona earned second place and Kathy Poetting of Des Moines claimed third place.

Entries were judged on taste, creativity and appearance.

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.