Jeff Morgan, (515) 281-3858, Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov

Des Moines, Iowa—The State Historical Building will be honoring the late Ike Seymour, affectionately known as "Big Daddy", in a special temporary exhibit on display beginning Jan. 29 during the I'll Make Me A World in Iowa celebration.

The display, titled "A Tribute to the Barbecue King," portrays Big Daddy as one of Des Moines' most colorful and philanthropic characters. It includes samples of Big Daddy's nationally known barbeque sauces, the pots he used to prepare his sauces in, some of his hallmark hats and other memorabilia. It also includes Big Daddy's famous waiver forms for his hot sauce, with such titles as "Code Blue," "Check Out Time," and "Are You A Survivor?"

His sauces became famous after recieving local and national attention by the likes of Peter Jennings from "World News Tonight" and "The Early Show" with Bryant Gumbel. Many celebrities and politicans made Big Daddy's one of their stops while visiting Des Moines and have professed their fondness for his mouth-watering food and unique sauces. Pictures of Big Daddy with various celebrities also adorn the display. The State Historical Society would like to thank Big Daddy's daughter, Diane Reed, for her donation of these items.

Big Daddy participated in the first celebration day of I'll Make Me A World in Iowa in 1999. He supplied food samples for and helped launch this successful event. The event will be held Saturday, Jan. 29 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. with a line up of African-American performing artists, historical exhibits, soul food and special guests like Bev Smith and Darryl VanLeer.

The State Historical Building is open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday, Noon-4:30 p.m. For more information, call 515-281-5111 or visit www.iowahistory.org.

For more information about Big Daddy, visit www.bigdaddysbbq.net , or the I'll Make Me A World in Iowa celebration, www.worldiniowa.org.

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