Kalona Chocolates is one of several Kalona businesses participating in the Iowa State Fair vendor booth. Photo by Sam McIntosh.

“Nothing Compares” to the 10 days of food and fun had at the Iowa State Fair starting today and lasting until the 20th.

The Kalona Chamber of Commerce likes to show fair attendees that nothing quite compares to their local businesses at their annual vendor booth inside the Varied Industries building. Each day the Kalona Chamber sends new products to the fair, from Kalona Chocolates to baked goods. The booth is also staffed with volunteers from the participating businesses. Stitch N Sew Cottage owner Grace Schumann talks about representing Kalona, “It’s good to be there, and just to be a part of it and hands on, and seeing all the people, and hearing the comments, and trying to ask the questions. It’s different since our booth is made up with a variety of different vendors so it’s not just one person bringing their products, so you try to answer the best you can for all the merchandise that’s there.”

Around 15 to 20 vendors contribute goods for the booth. Organizer Ben Curtis says it is a unique opportunity for Kalona, “We’ve been lucky to be there for so long that we kind of have an established spot. We have people that come to our booth even before the fair starts, even before the day starts, that are looking for cinnamon rolls or they’re looking for other things they get every year, so we do have a very loyal fair base every year. And it’s just a really good way to keep Kalona in people’s minds if they’re traveling to eastern Iowa if they stop in for a day, half day, that kind of thing. It’s well worth it.”

Familiar faces will be inside the Varied Industries building at the Iowa State Fair until August 20, giving people a glimpse, or rather taste, of what southeast Iowa has to offer.