Beautiful weather greeted onlookers taking in the sights and sounds of the 2008 Iowa State Fair Parade, held Wednesday, August 6 in downtown Des Moines. The Parade is the largest in Iowa and also serves as the kick-off to the State Fair. Portions of the event were re-broadcast on KDSM FOX 17, which sponsored the Parade.

Parade Marshall and NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson led approximately 200 floats, animals, vehicles, novelty and performing units from the state Capitol west down Grand Avenue to 13th Street.

In the band competition, the prestigious Governor’s Cup Award went to the Southwest Iowa Honor Marching Band.

Additional results below:
BANDS
1) East High School Marching Scarlets
2) Saydel High School Band
3) Cedar Falls High School Tiger Marching Band

COMMERCIAL
Float
Best Use of Theme: University Park Nursing & Rehab
Most Colorful: Pirtley’s General Store
Most Humorous: Anderson Erickson Dairy Company

Vehicle
Best Use of Theme: Windstar Lines Motorcoach
Most Colorful: Polk County Dairy Queen Association
Most Humorous: Trashout LLC
Most Original: PR Party Lines

Walking
Best Use of Theme: DMI Dance Force
Most Colorful: Amy Peel Dance Avenue
Most Humorous: Deborah’s School of Dance
Most Original: Express Yourself Dance & Performing Arts

Animal
Most Colorful: Budweiser Clydesdales, Anheuser‐Busch Inc.

Novelty
Most Colorful: Ellis Acres – Carriage Services
Most Humorous: Schaal Heating and Cooling
Most Original: Van Wall Group

NON-COMMERCIAL
Float
Best Use of Theme: The Greater Des Moines Community Band
Most Colorful: Broadlawns Medical Center
Most Humorous: Iowa Jaycees & Sheltered Realty
Most Original: Museum of Agricultural Heritage ‐ Cambridge

Vehicle
Best Use of Theme: Jerry McMillen
Most Colorful: Central Iowa Two‐Cylinder Club
Most Humorous: Central Iowa Model A Club
Most Original: NOCC Iowa Chapter – National Ovarian Cancer

Walking
Most Colorful: Clarinda Academy Drum Line & Color Guard
Most Humorous: Des Moines Granny Basketball
Most Original: Isiserettes Drill & Drum Corps

Animal
Best Use of Theme: Iowa Peruvian Horse Club
Most Colorful: Rancho El Carretero
Most Original: Ox Bow Company

Novelty
Best Use of Theme: Laura Daggett
Most Colorful: Gordon Anderson
Most Humorous: Mario D. Wright, 1983 Lincoln Continental
Most Original: Dean’s VFW Tin Lizy