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'Fire and Ice:' Angie Wittmer painted her large cone in honor of area firefighters.

The Iowa State Fair does not begin until this Thursday, Aug. 9, but already a Vinton area woman has won a prestigious honor.

Angie Wittmer won second place in the State Fair ice cream cone painting contest.

"You had to apply and be chosen to paint a cone," said Angie. "I submitted my design to the State Fair & was one of 60 Iowans chosen to paint a cone."

The cone weighs almost 300 pounds and is three and a half feet tall. The name of the cone is "Fire & Ice" Cream Cone - A Tribute to the Benton County Fire Departments.

There are 13 wooden disks on the cone, one for each fire department in Benton County. Each disk has the name of a specific Benton County Fire Department written on it.

"When I found out there was going to be a contest again this year to paint concrete, I wasn't sure I wanted to do it , because it is pretty difficult and very time consuming. I painted a cow last year in the same type of contest." says Angie.

But when Angie heard it was going to be an ice cream cone, within 10 seconds she had a design idea.

"I knew if I could pull it off it would be really eye catching," she said. "I have about 40 hours of work in the cone, not to mention two trips to Des Moines so far, to pick up the cone & deliver the painted cone back to the state fair. The biggest challenge so far with the cone was working on vertical, curved & bumpy surfaces and weather conditions --where I was painting was not air conditioned."

There were two divisions, novice & professional. Angie was in the novice group, placing second among nearly 40 cones.

The awards ceremony will be at 1:30 on Sunday, Aug. 19, on the Bill Riley Talent Competition stage, right before the talent finals.

"I have some ideas in mind for giving the cone away after the State Fair is over. More information will be coming in regards to that." says Angie.

Below is the press release from the State Fair about the painted ice cream cones and the contest:

DES MOINES Fifty-seven concrete ice cream cones painted by Iowans pay tribute to the Iowa State Fair's Fairlicious foods. The 3 ½ foot tall statues will be on display throughout the grounds during the 2012 Fair. "Nothing Compares" to the celebration and activities at the Fair, August 9-19.

Individuals, clubs and companies had the opportunity to showcase their creative talents, in professional or novice categories, and decorate a concrete ice cream cone in any way they chose. Entries were judged on the basis of creativity and use of additional materials.

Visit http://www.iowastatefair.org/fair-attractions for a printable map with a listing of all the concrete ice cream cone locations.

The first place winners received a $150 cash prize and a Fair admission package valued at $160. Second place winners received a $100 cash prize and a Fair admission package valued at $120. Third place winners received $50 and a Fair admission package valued at $85. Winners will be recognized in an awards presentation Sunday, August 19.

Complete Results Below:

Novice

1) Hey Diddle Diddle – Emma Wetzel, Chuck and Rachel Ginder, Altoona

2) Fire and Ice Cream Cone: A Tribute to Benton County Fire Departments – Angie Wittmer, Vinton

3) #1 in Yum – Kathryn Light, Waterloo

Honorable Mention) Kids Cancer Squad Cure Cone – Janie Ostrem, Sweet Treats of Jewell, Jewell

Honorable Mention) Honey Cone – Dave Tull and Tricia Knipper, Donnellson; Tim Knipper, Moline, Ill.; Terri Knipper, Solon

Honorable Mention) Cone on the Cob – Augusta, Brandt, and Clara Scott, Ames

Honorable Mention) Gettin' Piggy Wit It – Agri-Access Team, Johnston

Honorable Mention-Above and Beyond) Kooky the Ice Cream Clown – Sylvia Faine, Lara Newsom, Beatrice Faine, Urbandale

Professional

1) Indulge – Kelly Elliott, Nevada

2) Holsteins in the Meadow – Missy Sharer, Messy Missy's; Matt Pisney, Center Street Dairy Queen, Marshalltown

3) Blingalicious – Candi Ladmig and Alexa Groff, The Vinyl Studio, Ankeny

Honorable Mention-Most Unique) Buford Beaver Butter Brickle – Ryan Harder, Buena Vista University, Storm Lake

Honorable Mention) Eat Your Veggies – Connie Boesen, Applishus/Salad Bowl, Des Moines

Honorable Mention) Veggie Table: Celebrating Over 30 Years at the Iowa State Fair – Ed Brafford, Ruth McCoy, Veggie-Table, West Des Moines

To be entered in the professional division, 25 percent or more of the entrant's income must come from graphic design or artistry related work.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.


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