As the Iowa State Fair gets underway this week, patrons will have an opportunity to experience Kalona commerce.

Fair patrons from the Hawkeye State and beyond will get a first-hand look into Kalona’s culture. Ten businesses from Kalona will be selling various products and food at the fair. This will be the 35th consecutive year Kalona has had a booth at the fair.

City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh says the impact goes beyond direct sales, “There’s kind of an immediate financial impact with the sales through the state fair booth, but I think the bigger impact is a little bit harder to put a financial number to, and that’s just getting your name out there, getting your community out there. We promote heavily the things in our community, and also in Washington County, that people can come enjoy and see, so we can kind of showcase our community.”

The Iowa State Fair gets underway Thursday and runs through August 18th.