The annual FRY Fest, “a celebration of all things Hawkeye,” was held Sept. 7 at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.

If you’ve always wanted your own Hayden Fry mustache, FRY Fest was the place to be Sept. 7.

At the World’s Largest Hawkeye Trade Show, part of the FRY Fest celebration held each fall at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, one could pick up a little fake fuzz, affix it under the nose, and easily feel at home impersonating the former Iowa coach. Visitors also could pose for a photo with a giant Chuck Long bobble head, purchase that Hawkeye napkin dispenser they’ve been coveting, or just mingle happily with others decked out in black and gold.

Hundreds of fans browsed the exhibition, which featured more than 75 vendors. Other programming at FRY Fest this year included panel discussions and autograph sessions with coaches and former athletes, a pep rally, a car show, a blood drive, and an outdoor concert.

Dubbed “a celebration of all that is Hawkeye,” FRY Fest is held annually on the Friday before the first home football game, and is a collaborative effort between the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of Coralville, and UI Athletics. To learn more, see fryfest.com.

Click on the thumbnail images below to see what the Hawkeye trade show was all about.

—photos by Tom Jorgensen

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Part of FRY Fest is the World’s Largest Hawkeye Trade Show, where one can pick up almost everything under the sun with a Hawkeye logo.A featured guest at the FRY Fest trade show was a giant bobble head figure of former Hawkeye quarterback Chuck Long.FRY Fest is the perfect opportunity to show off one’s Hawkeye bling...for toes.FRY Fest is the perfect opportunity to show off one’s Hawkeye bling…for fingers.Every Iowa fan needs at least one pair of Hawkeye shades.

Hawkeye headgear also is a must, and it comes in all shapes and styles.A Hawkeye fan stops to get an autograph from 'American Pickers' reality TV star Frank Fritz, who gave a presentation about collecting and answered questions.Hawkeye plush toys were available by the dozen.A Hawkeye trade show wouldn’t be complete without sporting goods.FRY Fest isn’t exclusive to football; it celebrates all Hawkeye sports. In fact, the featured guest at the 2011 FRY Fest was former Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable.

Women’s apparel is one of the fastest-growing categories for Hawkeye products, according to Dale Arens, director of Iowa’s trademark licensing program.Anyone who attends games at Kinnick Stadium in the fall knows well how low the temperature can dip. Earflaps will be welcome come November, and they might as well be stylish.Hawkeye artwork also is a popular item at the trade show.The 2012 FRY Fest fell on the eve of the Iowa-Iowa State football contest, and the event honored the 35th anniversary of the resumption of the annual in-state rivalry.These black and gold Hawkeye billiard balls have numbers on the back.

There are many toys geared toward Iowa fans, including this Hawkeye trivia game.Of course there are Hawkeye sock monkeys.More than 75 vendors attended FRY Fest, and Hawkeye apparel was plentiful.Yep. The holidays are right around the corner.A celebration of all things Hawkeye wouldn’t be complete without a visit from Iowa’s spirit squad.


© The University of Iowa 2009