Abram Estill, 7, gets the very beginnings of a bubble during Tuesday’s bubblegum blowing contest. Fortunately there was plenty of extra gum on hand for those needing it.

DES MOINES, Iowa — There's always some friendly competition at the fair, like the contest to see who can blow the biggest bubble with bubblegum. The bubblegum-blowing contest on Thursday was ...

The bubble gum contest worked for one of Thursday's themes, "Let's Blow Out Drugs." The other theme for the day was "Drugs are Ridiculous," which allowed students to dress in crazy outfits.

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) - There is always some friendly competition at the Iowa State Fair. That includes the contests to see who can blow the biggest bubble with bubblegum and the pie eating contest.

Frankfurt, West Germany, January 1989: Nine-year-old Angela Duke concentrates on creating the perfect bubble-gum bubble during an after-school contest at the McNair Kaserne housing area.

There were a few misfires in those practice sessions. More than once a child was unable to hold their gum with their teeth when sticking their tongue into it to start the bubble.