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Cotton candy has become a popular and innovative ingredient in food and drinks at the Iowa State Fair.

The Carter family's cotton candy stand creates elaborate cotton candy art, adding a unique twist to this classic treat.

Fairgoers can find cotton candy incorporated into various items, including beer, martinis, ice cream, and cheesecake.

Cotton candy at the Iowa State Fair is more than a nostalgic treat — it’s a spectacle, a family tradition and, increasingly, a creative inspiration for new foods and drinks.

Across the fairgrounds, the pastel swirls of spun sugar draw crowds of children and adults alike, their faces lighting up at the sight of whimsical shapes and vibrant colors. For Joy Carter of Pleasant Hill, cotton candy is a family legacy. She operates Carter

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