FRY Fest facts for kids

FRYfest is a special event held every year in Iowa City and Coralville, Iowa. It happens on the Friday before the Iowa Hawkeye Football season begins. People call it "a Celebration of all that is Hawkeye" because it's all about the University of Iowa's sports teams, especially football!

FRYfest started in 2009. It was created by local groups and the University of Iowa's sports department. Their goal was to start the football season with a bang. They also wanted to bring visitors to the area and make life better for people living in Iowa City and Coralville. The festival is named after Hayden Fry, a famous coach who brought the "TigerHawk" logo to the University of Iowa. Many people think he is one of the best Hawkeyes ever!

This one-day festival kicks off the Hawkeye sports seasons. It takes place just before the first home football game. About 20,000 Hawkeye fans come to Coralville, Iowa, each year for the fun. It's becoming a yearly tradition for many families. The event also helps raise money for Coralville's Fourth of July celebrations.

Over the years, FRYfest has honored many important people like Hayden Fry and Dan Gable. It has also featured a huge Hawkeye fan tradeshow and a car show. Fans can get autographs from coaches and former athletes. There's also a pep rally and outdoor concerts. A cool part of FRYfest is that it has broken two Guinness World Records! In 2010, they set a record for the Largest Hokey Pokey Dance with 7,384 people. In 2014, they broke the record for the Longest Marathon Playing Cornhole (bags), playing for over 26 hours!

FRYfest celebrated its 10th anniversary on August 31, 2018.

History of FRYfest

The FRYfest event is named after Hayden Fry. He was a very important coach who brought the Tigerhawk logo to the University of Iowa. Many fans believe he is the greatest Hawkeye of all time. Each year, thousands of people come to FRYfest. The event has featured fun activities like the World's Largest Hawkeye Tradeshow. There's also a car show, chances to get autographs, and a big pep rally. An outdoor concert usually finishes the day. FRYfest is quickly becoming a favorite way for Hawkeye fans to start the new sports season.

Special Moments and Records

Honoring Hayden Fry Way

During the very first FRYfest, a street in Coralville, Iowa, was given a special co-name: Hayden Fry Way. This street is called First Avenue and is between I-80 and Highway 6. It's one of the busiest roads in the area. This was a big honor for Hayden Fry. He was the University of Iowa's winningest football coach. The street is a main path for fans heading to Kinnick Stadium.

Remembering Forest Evashevski

FRYfest 2010 started at the famous Kinnick Stadium. There was a special ceremony to rename a street in honor of Forest “Evy” Evashevski. Evy was the Hawkeyes' head coach from 1952 to 1960. He helped turn the football team around. Under his coaching, the Hawkeyes won Big 10 championships in 1956, 1958, and 1960. He also led them to win two Rose Bowl championships in 1956 and 1958. After coaching, Evy became Iowa's athletic director from 1960 to 1970.

Breaking a World Record: The Hokey Pokey

In its second year, FRYfest broke a Guinness World Record! On September 3, 2010, 7,384 people danced the Largest Hokey Pokey. Event organizers asked Hawkeye fans to "shake it all about" to beat the old record. The previous record was 4,431 dancers in Toronto, Canada. The Hokey Pokey dance was special to the Hawkeyes. Coach Hayden Fry and his teams often danced it in the locker room after big wins in the 1980s and 1990s.

Celebrating Dan Gable's Life

In its third year, FRYfest honored famous wrestler and coach Dan Gable. The festival put on a live show called This is Your Life. It was like a popular TV show from the 1950s. The show helped everyone learn more about Dan Gable's amazing life. It was a chance to thank him for all his achievements. The event included videos and many special guests. These guests helped Dan remember his college wrestling career and his two NCAA championships. They also talked about his Olympic Gold Medal and his incredible coaching success at Iowa.

Some surprise guests included Tom and Terry Brands, Jim Leach, and Hayden Fry. There were also video messages from famous people like Frank Gifford.

Iowa vs. ISU Rivalry

The fourth FRYfest celebrated a special anniversary. It marked 35 years since the renewed rivalry between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones. The two teams played each other again in 1977. This was the first time since 1934. The Cy-Hawk traveling trophy was also introduced that year. In 2012, the Iowa and Iowa State ROTC programs did something cool. They ran the game ball from Ames to Iowa City. They handed it off halfway and finished at the FRYfest Pep Rally. Frank Fritz from the TV show ‘American Pickers’ was also a special guest that day.

Herky on Parade and FRYfest

The fifth FRYfest was all about the fans. The event showed off the latest Hawkeye gear in a fashion show. It also revealed three new designs for the "Herky on Parade" project. This project is a public art event that started the next May.

FRYfest VI celebrated the quarterbacks who played during the Hayden Fry era. There was a discussion with famous quarterbacks like Chuck Long and Hayden Fry himself. New activities included a Hawkeye Trivia competition. There was also an outdoor Hawkeye bags (cornhole) tournament. The final goodbye to "Herky on Parade" also happened at this event. All 84 statues were brought together after being displayed around the city all summer. Many families came to see them.

Another World Record: Longest Cornhole Game

In 2014, FRYfest earned another Guinness World Record. It became the official holder for the longest marathon playing cornhole. Four Hawkeye fans played cornhole (also known as bags) for an amazing 26 hours, 12 minutes, and 44 seconds straight! This gave FRYfest its second world record.

Fun Activities and Shows

World’s Largest Hawkeye Tradeshow and Tailgate Party

Imagine a huge area filled with black and gold! That's the World's Largest Hawkeye Tradeshow and Tailgate Party. Here, Hawkeye fans can find hundreds of stores selling Hawkeye gear. You might also see current University of Iowa student athletes, coaches, and sports reporters. Members of the Hall of Fame Class are often there too. The 4th Annual FRYfest even had both Hawkeye and Cyclone sellers showing off their newest items.

Car Show

If you love cars, you can show off your vehicle at the FRYfest Show & Shine. It's free to enter your car. You can even win awards like Hayden Fry's Choice, Mayor's Choice, and Herky's Choice. There's also a special category for tailgate cars.

Autograph Sessions

Throughout the day, you can find scheduled autograph sessions. You might meet current University of Iowa athletic teams. The Hall of Fame Class and special reunions for that year are also often present. In 2012, FRYfest welcomed Frank Fritz from the TV show American Pickers for an autograph session.

Concerts

FRYfest usually ends with a big outdoor concert at the Iowa River Landing. Many famous artists have performed there. Some past performers include Jake Owen, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, and The Charlie Daniels Band. Other artists like Josh Turner, Sara Evans, and Lee Brice have also played at FRYfest.