PHOTO COURTESY OF CASEY SCHMIDT

DES MOINES – Bob Hill of rural Dysart made an inaugural official appearance at the Iowa State Fair this year as his longtime, beloved alter ego Hillbilly Bob/Farmer Bob along with his 1949 John Deere MT tractor ‘Johnny the World’s Funniest Tractor.’

Per the Iowa State Fair website, Johnny features a skunk that sprays water; a large sound system; all sorts of sirens, horns, bells, and whistles; some “really surprising remote controls”; and the ability to blow up balloons which Bob then twists into different creations.

Bob has traveled to 41 states plus Canada visiting fairs and other events as Hillbilly Bob-Farmer Bob, a persona he’s embodied for more than a quarter of a century now. He is pictured on his tractor with Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt at the fair last week in Des Moines.