2026 Iowa State Fair coverage on Iowa PBS
August is nearly here, and that means it’s time for the Iowa State Fair, and for fair coverage on Iowa PBS. This year’s programming begins with two live broadcasts: the 2026 Iowa State Fair Parade on Wednesday, August 12, and the 2026 Iowa State Fair Queen Contest on Saturday, August 15. Fair 2026, the network's nightly highlights show, airs August 17–22 at a new time—8 p.m. The programs will rebroadcast at 9 p.m. Coverage wraps up on Sunday, August 24 with the State Fair Talent Championship 2026.
The 2026 Iowa State Fair Parade will be broadcast statewide and livestreamed on iowapbs.org and YouTube on Wednesday, August 12 at 6:15 p.m. With high school marching bands, floats, cool cars, special causes and more, Iowa’s largest parade is full of memorable moments.
On Saturday, August 15 at 7 p.m., Iowa PBS will offer a live broadcast of the 2026 Iowa State Fair Queen Contest. The event will also be livestreamed on iowapbs.org and YouTube. This annual fair tradition brings together county fair queens from across the state who showcase the very best in personality, leadership, citizenship and involvement in their local communities.
Nightly highlights of Fair 2026 will begin on Monday, August 17 and continue through Saturday, August 22 at 8 p.m. The nightly shows will repeat at 9 p.m. These highlights will include more than 60 segments from around the fairgrounds, and will also be repeated the next day at 5 p.m. Featuring contests, unique stories, food, animals, music and more, these hour-long programs are among the network’s most-watched of the year. All six episodes will be rebroadcast back-to-back on Sunday, August 23 beginning at 2 p.m.
Following the Sunday marathon, coverage of the finals of the State Fair Talent Championship 2026 will air on Sunday, August 24 at 8 p.m. and will be rebroadcast on Monday, August 23 at 7 p.m. This annual competition showcases some of the amazing talents of Iowa’s youth.
In addition to our extensive broadcast coverage, fans of Iowa PBS won’t want to miss our booth in the Varied Industries Building! Visitors can sign up for an Iowa PBS newsletter in order to spin our giant prize wheel for a special Iowa PBS giveaway. Kids can cast their vote for their favorite PBS KIDS character at our interactive voting station, and receive an Iowa PBS KIDS waterless tattoo for participating. Families can snap a photo in Daniel Tiger's trolley, and celebrate their love of PBS KIDS together. There is something for everyone at this year’s booth.
Fairgoers can also get in on the fun with Iowa PBS online. Follow Iowa PBS on Facebook and Instagram for even more fair fun and behind-the-scenes action of Fair 2026.
Schedule
Don’t miss any of the Fair 2026 highlights! Below is a list of topics scheduled for each episode. Please note, topics are subject to change. Visit iowapbs.org/fair for the latest updates.
Monday, August 17 at 8 & 9 p.m.
(Also airs Sunday, August 23 at 2 p.m.)
State Fair Parade
Big Animals
New Fair Foods
Fine Art
Rod Zietler
Rooster Crowing
Twins, Triplets and More
Euchre Tournament
Prettiest Bird
FFA Swine
PRCA Pro Rodeo
Tuesday, August 18 at 8 & 9 p.m.
(Also airs Sunday, August 23 at 3 p.m.)
Dairy Demonstrations
FFA Kid
Queen Contest
Charros
Butter Cow
Maintenance Shop
Beginner's Contest
Farm Team
How to Pitch Horseshoes
Wednesday, August 19 at 8 & 9 p.m.
(Also airs Sunday, August 23 at 4 p.m.)
America 250 Exhibits
Butter Cow at the Renwick
Veterans Day Parade
FFA Parade of Champions
Horse Hall of Fame
Pork Tent Grill Masters
Farmer Chats
Picasso Plates
Cowgirl Queen
Little Butter Cows
Tumbling Competition
Thursday, August 20 at 8 & 9 p.m.
(Also airs Sunday, August 23 at 5 p.m.)
AmirrorCAN MEN
Beard Growing Contest
4-H Kid
Bur Oak Tree Planting
Ice Carving
Governor's Charity Steer Show
DNR Aquarium Turns 100
West Des Moines Methodist Church Stand
ShenaniGuns!4-H Sheep
Iowa Exhibits at the Renwick
Campground Grocery
Friday, August 21 at 8 & 9 p.m.
(Also airs Sunday, August 23 at 6 p.m.)
Outlaw Truck & Tractor Pulls
Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show
Snakes Alive!
Stock Dog Trials
Louise Piper's Green Tomato Pie
Bubble Gum Blowing Contest
Cow Chip Thrower Pam Sufka
Cow Chip Throwing Contest
Flower Identification Contest
Pedal Tractor Pull
Campground Lighting
Kids Chef Baking Tournament
Saturday, August 22 at 8 & 9 p.m.
(Also airs Sunday, August 23 at 7 p.m.)
Bird Box Building
4-H Beef Grand Champion
Ladies Rubber Chicken Throwing
How to Train a Stock Dog
Adaptive Sports
Hog Calling Contest Turns 100!
4-H Rabbits
Husband Calling
Lineman Rodeo
Behind the Scenes
4-H and FFA Sale of Champions
Visit iowapbs.org/fair for Fair 2026 full episodes and features, highlights of more than 50 years of fair shows, an interactive map of the fairgrounds, and more.
Support for Fair 2026 on Iowa PBS is provided by Farmers Mutual Hail, Iowa Bankers Association, Iowa Corn, Iowa Pork Association, Pella Rolscreen Foundation, Travel Iowa, Vermeer and Wellabe.