The Iowa State Fair has always been a place built on joy — butter cows, concerts, food on sticks, families making memories under the August sun. And for more than 170 years, millions have come and gone without incident. But like any massive event that spans generations, the fair has seen its share of trouble: thefts, fights, scams, and the occasional headline‑grabbing arrest.

Most of these moments fade quickly, overshadowed by the fair’s overwhelmingly positive legacy. But one crime — one deeply shocking, heavily investigated, and widely reported case — stands alone as the most notorious event ever to happen on the fairgrounds. It wasn’t a rowdy night gone wrong or a spur‑of‑the‑moment act. It was deliberate, devastating, and it shook the fair community to its core.

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🔪 The 1996 Funnel Cake Murders — Bobie & Marilyn Blewer

Date: August 1996 Victims: Bobie and Marilyn Blewer, longtime funnel‑cake vendors Location: Their trailer on the Iowa State Fairgrounds

What Happened

Bobie and Marilyn Blewer were found dead inside their vendor trailer during the 1996 Iowa State Fair. The couple operated a popular funnel‑cake stand and were well‑known among fair regulars. Their deaths shocked both the fair community and the state.

The Investigation

According to investigative reporting, the case quickly focused on Michael Hodges, the Blewers’ son‑in‑law. Evidence presented in court included financial motives, inconsistencies in Hodges’ statements, and physical evidence linking him to the crime scene.

The Des Moines Register’s multi‑part series details how investigators pieced together the timeline, uncovered motive, and built the case — including interviews, forensic findings, and witness accounts.

The Motive

Court records and reporting describe the motive as a mix of greed, financial pressure, and family conflict, with prosecutors arguing Hodges killed the couple to gain control of their profitable fair business.

The Trial & Conviction

Hodges was convicted of the murders, and his appeals were later denied — including a 2026 ruling upholding the original conviction.

Why This Crime Is Considered “Notorious”

• It occurred during the fair, on the grounds
• The victims were beloved long‑time vendors
• The case involved family betrayal, financial motive, and premeditation
• It generated massive media coverage, including a 5‑part investigative series
• It remains the only major violent crime in fair history with extensive public documentation

This case is still referenced today whenever the fair’s history is discussed — not because the fair is unsafe, but because the crime was so shocking and so thoroughly investigated that it became part of Iowa’s true‑crime record.

📜 Closing Thoughts

The Iowa State Fair has more than 170 years of joy, tradition, and community — and only one crime that ever reached this level of notoriety. Remembering Bobie and Marilyn Blewer isn’t about dwelling on darkness; it’s about honoring their lives, acknowledging the truth, and recognizing how rare such events truly are. The fair remains one of Iowa’s safest, most celebrated annual traditions.

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