Fair food - when you’re here you can smell it, see it and of course taste it! It’s probably safe to say it’s irresistible. And I’m probably even safer...
Fair food - when you're here you can smell it, see it and of course taste it! It's probably safe to say it's irresistible. And I'm probably even safer in saying that our production crews have sampled many Fair goodies while they've been covering the State Fair over the years. Dean Borg searched the Iowa PBS archive shelves and pulled out some proof of our over 40-year love affair with Fair food.
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Experience the Iowa State Fair through the eyes of four individuals maintaining its traditions.
The story of the Iowa State Fair — Iowa's annual showcase and its biggest celebration.
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.
The Iowa State Fair parade, featuring high school marching bands, floats, cool cars, special causes and more.
The Bill Riley Talent Search showcases young Iowans' talents and an Iowa State Fair tradition.
Knock-knock! Who’s there? Some of the funniest kids in Iowa. The State Fair’s Joke Telling Contest is full of charm, chuckles, and pint-sized punchlines.
Bags fly and rivalries ignite at the Iowa State Fair Cornhole Tournament. Watch fierce teams compete for bragging rights in this fun, fast-paced showdown.
Get a whiff of tradition! The Cow Chip Throwing Contest at the Iowa State Fair is messy, hilarious, and surprisingly competitive. Watch the chips fly!
Think you know your plants? At the Iowa State Fair, contestants race to identify dozens of weeds in a unique contest that’s part quiz, part nature walk.
Watch skilled utility workers climb, race, and compete at the Iowa State Fair’s Lineman’s Rodeo—a thrilling display of strength, speed, and precision.