Every August, the Midwestern U.S. state of Iowa holds a 10-day-long fair that celebrates agriculture and everything else Iowa has to offer.  VOA's Jeffrey Young takes you to the Iowa State Fair.

Carnival rides are one of the many enjoyable parts of the annual Iowa State Fair

"It's the Iowa State Fair!" declares a group of happy fair-goers.

Every August, more than a million people come to the fair from all over the Midwest. For many of them, it is their annual holiday. And everyone is having fun together.

"We have people from all walks of life,” says John Thompson of Webster City, Iowa. “There are people that can hardly pay their rent, and they're walking beside people that are worth millions of dollars. And you can't tell the difference, for everyone has got [is wearing] blue jeans."

About a million people attend the fair over a 10-day period each summer

"Lots of times, you see people you only see once a year here. So you hang out [enjoy their company] with them. You just catch up on old news. It's a good time," says a repeat visitor.

Agriculture is the centerpiece. People bring their cattle, sheep and other farm animals to show them off and hopefully come home with a prize proving theirs are the best in Iowa.

Jordanne Blair is participating in equestrian events this year

And on the entertainment stage, the acts range all the way to the wild and silly. But it's all great fun! And you can take some of it home to remember your fling at the fair.

And it keeps going until midnight: the rides whizzing about, the midway attractions and food stands pulling in the crowds.  And there's always something fun for people to watch and do at the Iowa State Fair.