HUTCHINSON — A seven-foot-tall, KEY overall-wearing bison is now roaming the grounds of the Kansas State Fair.
Meet Ike – the newest member of the State Fair family.
Gov. Laura Kelly declared Ike the official Kansas State Fair mascot in a video released this morning. He is the Fair’s first-ever mascot, and he will make stops at different locations across the state this summer as part of a campaign to celebrate Kansas and the Fair.
“The Kansas State Fair is an event that commemorates the best of Kansas and nothing represents the state more distinctly than the official state animal – the American bison,” said the Fair’s General Manager, Robin Jennison. “He’s the ultimate Kansan and wants happiness and prosperity for our great state.”
Born on Kansas Day amid the Smoky Hills of Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, Ike is named after the 34th President from Abilene, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Now living in Hutchinson and taking on his new role as the Kansas State Fair mascot, Ike helps keep the grounds maintained and mowed while sporting his overalls manufactured by Key Industries of Fort Scott, Kansas.
Ike loves all Fair food but has a fondness for Pronto Pups. Moreover, there are very few people who could ever beat him at Kansas trivia. Besides his birthday, Ike’s favorite day of the year is the Friday after Labor Day — the annual kick-off of the Kansas State Fair.
KEY Industries, also the Fair’s official apparel partner, is Ike’s official sponsor.
“Our partnership with the Kansas State Fair makes for the perfect blend of hard work and fun,” said George Yaghmour, vice president of sales and marketing at Key Industries. “It is our pleasure to work hand in hand with the Kansas State Fair, an organization that is founded by hard-working Kansans, much like KEY. Both our organizations are founded on the Kansas values of hard work, determination and integrity.”
Jennison added that Ike’s symbolism goes deeper than just a fun-loving, woolly character.
“Ike represents our state’s strong past and our persevering character,” he said. “Everyone likes Ike. And, everyone will have a chance to meet him in September.
The Fair will announce Ike’s summer appearances soon. Fairgoers can also meet Ike during this year’s Kansas State Fair, Sept. 11-20.