Posted Aug. 13, 2014

The Iowa Pork Producers Association has had a long-standing presence at the annual Iowa State Fair, promoting the pork industry and serving up delicious pork products and meals to thousands of fairgoers every year since 1981. This year, the association was recognized for its “concession excellence” and commitment to the fair.

IPPA was presented with the Rollie McCubbin Best of Show Award by the Iowa State Fair Board yesterday in a ceremony at the Iowa Pork Tent. Fair Board President Alan Brown from Hampton presented a plaque to IPPA staff and Iowa Pork Tent Committee members.

The Best of Show Award is based on more than just appearance.

“The board goes around the fair and selects the stand they think is the best,” said Mike Nye, director of Concessions and Exhibits. “[The board members] consider things like [the vendor’s] partnership with the state fair, what the stand does and what the vendor does to help promote the fair as a whole.”

IPPA introduced a new, fully equipped Pork Chop on a Stick™ concession trailer this year and Nye said it was a major factor in winning the award.

“With your new stand and being an Iowa-based organization, the board felt Iowa Pork deserved the award,” Nye said. “It shows you’re willing to do whatever it takes to make the fair better.”

IPPA received the state fair’s top award from among hundreds of other vendors and concessions at the fair.

“We’re honored to receive this award from the fair board this year,” said IPPA Marketing and Program Director Kelsey Sutter, who also serves as Iowa Pork Tent manager. “The new concession trailer has been a great addition and has helped us better serve our highly popular Pork Chop on a Stick to fairgoers. We owe our success and the award to the hundreds of farmers and allied-business representatives who volunteer at our concessions each year.”

The award is named after Rollie McCubbin, who retired three years ago as the long-time concession and exhibit director for the fair.

This is not the first award IPPA has received from the state fair. The association’s Pork Chop on a Stick has been named “best fair food” on several occasions in the past.