When it comes to traditions, every state has their own unique way of doing things, and Iowa is no different. There are all sorts of things we do that out-of-staters might raise their eyebrows to, but I’m proud of the things that make me an Iowan – even if they are a little “weird.”

1. We eat ranch on literally EVERYTHING.
Mike Mozart/Flickr
Ranch isn't only for salad, but it's for pizza, pasta, chicken, and pretty much everything else under the sun...
2. We buy sweet corn from strangers on the side of the road.
anothertom/Flickr
It's totally normal, trust us.
3. We have a hobo festival each year, and crown a hobo king and queen.
Britt Hobo Days/Facebook
Every year in the town of Britt, there is a celebration known as Hobo Days, where a hobo king and queen are crowned.
4. We ride 400 miles across the state on our bikes with thousands of other people while partying intensely and staying with strangers for a week.
Channone Arif/Flickr
In other words: It's RAGBRAI.
5. We know just how much of an honor it is to be named the Pork Queen.
Iowa Farm Bureau/Flickr
In any other state being called a pork queen might be an insult, but not in Iowa.

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6. We go swimming in pools of corn.
Carol VanHook/Flickr
Corn isn't just for eating, or making ethanol, or corn syrup or toothpaste or cereal - it's also used for swimming! What an amazing plant, right?
7. We bang the top of the car and yell "padiddle" when we see a car with a headlight out.
Jason Lott/Flickr
We're not crazy, it's a tradition, duh.
8. We drink pop.
Ryan Fung/Flickr
So don't give us that confused look and ask us if we mean soda.
9. We do the "finger wave."
Mulewings
No, we're not flipping you the bird, we're just sending you a friendly hello!
10. Let sixteen-year-olds vote.
Phil Roeder/Flickr
Until the Republican party did away with it this June, sixteen-year-olds were allowed to vote at the Iowa Straw Poll.

Weird is definitely a relative term. Personally, I think that these are just a few of the things that make us special, but hey, I’m an Iowan. What are some things we may have left off of our list? Let us know in the comments section!

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