DES MOINES, Iowa – There’s so much to do and see at the Iowa State Fair, so it’s not hard to see how someone could miss a hidden gem.
One gem has been a steady State Fair presence for more than two decades. At first glance, it’s a fairly unassuming building — white with no windows.
The Walnut Center has been a spot where local artists and craftsmen set up shop. The number and extent of each vendor’s booth has grown during that time. Now, nearly three dozen vendors call the Walnut Center home for the State Fair’s 11-day duration.
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When it was first decided that the building would be a place for art and craft vendors, one artist was a bit skeptical the setup would end up working out. “I’ve been here since the beginning,” reflects artist Kevin Richards. “I remember setting up over here…and they gave me the option to set up for three days, eight days, or all eleven days. And I took three days because I said ‘No one’s going to come to this building for this.’ And then I was just amazed. Some people come to every building at the fair. And so then it worked out great.”…