People, places make Iowa great

By B.J. Smith
Iowa.com

So you’re planning a trip to Iowa, or maybe you’re already here.

“Why Iowa?” someone probably asked you. Maybe it’s a business trip, a family reunion, or even a vacation. All great reasons. Here are some other things to say next time someone asks, “Why Iowa?”

Unlike some places, Iowa has four distinct seasons (and in one case five of them). It has the state fair that inspired the musical “State Fair.” It has wide-open spaces and steep, wooded hills. It has great arts and entertainment and museums and historic sites.

Iowa has excellent schools and great colleges and universities. There are friendly communities, friendly people and clean air. There are good jobs and people who know the value of hard work. Iowa is on the cutting edge in agriculture, technology, literature and medicine. In Iowa, we grow record crops and raise scientists, astronauts, actors, writers, artists and inventors.

Our covered bridges inspire books and movies, and we have the real “Field of Dreams.” There is lots of wind to harness for power and fertile ground to farm. We have beautiful parks and churches and homes and sculptures. We have sweet corn and Muscatine melons.

We’ve got a good thing going here in Iowa!

Learn more:

• Claim to fame
• Culture
• Fun facts about Iowa
• History
• Iowa food products
• Weather

Gazette Editor Steve Buttery has also collected some Iowa favorites. Click here to visit his blog post.