The City of Kalona has their annual stand up and running at the Iowa State Fair, and chamber of commerce director Craig Vasey is excited to show fair-goers what the city has to offer. He said, “Kalona has such a variety of products, people, culture, and history, and it’s great to have an opportunity to go to the state fair and showcase those things.” He added this is his first time working the stand, but he knows it’s grown bigger each year, and the list of shops and products has gotten more extensive.

The preparations for the fair went well according to Vasey, which he believes is a result of the cooperative nature of the city. He said with the different cultures there, you might think that there would be division between people like himself and the Amish and Mennonite citizens, but he claims everyone works well together for the good of the community. The Kalona stand is open each day of the fair, and is located in the middle of Exhibition Hall.