INDIANOLA — Thousands gathered Sunday afternoon on the Indianola Balloon Fields to show their support for the Democratic Party, drink free beer and listen to Sheryl Crow sing.

“We came all the way from Minnesota to show our support for Tom Harkin,” said Jane Anderson, of Kasson, Minn. “We’ve been big supporters since he first ran for President.”

This year’s steak fry was bathed in sunshine — a far cry from the rain and mud of last year.

“Last year was the best year I’ve seen [in terms of success],” said Charlotte Peterson, a Galva resident who has been attending the steak fry for 10 years. “President Clinton was supposed to be on the ground for 45 minutes, but he ended up staying for three hours. He stayed so he could say ‘thank you’ to all the people who waited in line to see him.”

Many people came to the event to support the Democratic Party.

Jeremy Evans of Des Moines was one of those people.

“The free beer and Sheryl Crow are a definite bonus though,” he said.

There were many people, however, who came with a more defined purpose.

“I think it’s important to support Kerry,” said Fred Noon, president of the municipal laborers’ union, Local 353, in Des Moines. “I was in Vietnam when he came back. As a soldier, his comments really boosted my morale and that of many of my comrades.”

Noon said he sees many similarities between the war in Iraq and what happened in Vietnam. A myriad of buttons on his leather vest echoed his words.

“People have ignored the truth for years,” he said. “Sometimes the truth hurts. I liked Kerry because he said what needed to be said about Vietnam. I think he’s doing the same right now.”

Several veterans and union workers who rode in a bus from Clinton agreed with Noon as they purchased bootleg T-shirts saying “Redefeat Bush 2004.”

“I think Kerry talking about jobs is very important,” said Bob Krajnovich, president of the Clinton Labor Congress. “The disintegration of the school system, of the university system, is also critical.”

These topics were not addressed, however, by the speakers.

Leonard Boswell, congressman from Iowa’s Third District, said the Democratic Party should feel a sense of urgency with this election cycle.

“The time is now,” he said to a roar from the crowd. “It’s in our hands.”

Art Small, the Democratic challenger for the seat of Republican Sen. Charles Grassley, echoed the sentiment.

“Everyone in Iowa knows that if you want growth, you rotate your crops,” he said.

Don Ruby, chairman of the Warren County Democrats, implored people to vote absentee.

“Democrats don’t vote as regularly as Republicans,” he said. “Get it done early.”

Entertainer Tom Arnold was a featured speaker at the steak fry. He called Harkin “the conscience of the U.S. Congress” and asked supporters to continue speaking with such loud voices.

“One vote per precinct will make the difference in Iowa,” Arnold said. “I just hope we get this kind of attention after the election. Iowa has a way of humanizing everyone.”