Fair 2026 – Saturday, August 22

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Hello everyone, and welcome to our final night of Iowa State Fair highlights. I'm Bill Riley.

For six nights, we've explored the many sides of the Iowa State Fair, from the people and traditions to the creativity and competitions that bring more than a million people through these gates every summer.

Tonight, we'll wrap up our week with a few more stories that remind us why generations of Iowans keep coming back year after year.

We'll celebrate 100 years of one of the fair's most distinctive traditions at the Hog Calling Contest.  We'll discover how adaptive sports are creating opportunities for competition and connection. And we'll have a little fun with one of the fair's quirkiest contests.

We'll begin tonight with one of the highest honors a young exhibitor can achieve. Paul Yeager introduces us to this year's 4-H Beef Grand Champion.

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[Paul Yeager] Cattle are big business in Iowa and kids showing them are our future. And right now they're getting ready for the 4-H Market Steer. The best of the best of these young animals. They've had a long day but they've got one final drive to pick the best in the state of Iowa.

Our judge today is Brandon Callis of Minco, Oklahoma. He is a graduate of Texas A&M and Kansas State and is an agriculture professor at Redlands Community College.

[Brandon] It's always fun coming up here. It's a competitive environment. Folks know how to raise cattle up here, and so it's fun for me to come get to enjoy and sort them. Big responsibility for sure.

[Paul] What's a perfect animal for you?

[Brandon] Something that can represent a good protein as far as us feeding the public, feeding the country. But then also these things are on halter, and so a show animal that's got some look and got some presence, an athlete is what I like to call them. I like an exhibitor that's confident, respectful, but they're to win, they're to compete.

I like it to where they've worked enough with their animal, that animal responds well to them. They don't fly off the hook if the animal's having a bad day. They kind of keep it locked in. But just, yeah, respectable, competitive kid is what I'm looking for.

[Paul] When you see the perfect animal, is it hard to keep a smile in?

[Brandon] Yeah, yeah, I do not have a poker face. And so they would probably know the few that would be in my mind for later on tonight, for sure. Very tough. I think every breed had something to look forward to for tonight. Crossbreds are always pretty stout as well. So yeah, it was fun. A lot of good cattle. Lots of good cattle.

It's probably the best Midwest state fair from competition, from species to species, probably anywhere. Since I got out of college, they've gotten way better. It's harder to win these things. It's harder to breed them. And so just everybody has upped it a level as far as their care, their knowledge of these things. And so it's just made it ultra competitive.

[Paul] What's going through your mind right now?

[Rhylee Rodgers, Searsboro] A lot. I really don't even know what to think right now. It's been something that we have been trying to achieve for so long, and it finally became real, and it's just a lot of thoughts.

[Paul] When the judge started walking to you, what was that emotion?

[Rhylee] I was so happy and sad at the same time. I just am feeling so many feelings right now. It's hard to explain.

[Paul] Tell us some of the time that you put in to make this happen.

[Rhylee] Yes. Every morning I'd get up at 5 to rinse my steers and blow them out, and then we would exercise them, walk them, and set them up and do that every day and feed them and all the other stuff too.

[Paul] Tell me about Bandit.

[Rhylee] He is the sweetest steer. Like, one of— I was probably— he's probably one of the closest steers I've been with. He was being a little stubborn today, but, you know, that's okay because he paid off. But he is very sweet and I love him.

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[Woman #127] I'll tell you though, the first thing I saw when I came into the State Fair today was the Jumbotron that said that this is the 100th year of the hog calling.

[Man 1] Pig, pig, pig, pig, pig.

[Woman 1] Oh piggy, piggy, piggy!

[Boy 1] Oink. Come here, you slice of sausage!

[Boy 2] Su-ee! Whoa!

[Woman 2] Oink, oink! Oink! Ah!

[Man 2] Peep, peep, peep, peep, peep, peep, peep!

[Man 3] Su-ee! Come here, little pork chop, pork chop, pork chop! Su-ee! Come here, little pork chop, pork chop, pork chop!

[Emcee] We are going to begin with number 113.

[Girl #113] Here piggy, piggy, piggy.

[Girl #115] Oink, oink, oink!

[Girl #117] All the way in the back! Look, look, look! Come here, piggy, piggy, piggy, piggy, piggy, piggy!

[Girl #116] Ree, ree, ree! Sui, sui, sui, sui, sui, sui!

[Girl #120] (Snorting sounds)

[Girl #124] (Snorting sounds)

[Boy #119] (Snorting sounds)

[Girl #121] Here, piggy! Dad, why aren't you coming? Don't worry, he's a cop.

[Girl #127] (Snorting sounds)

[Girl #130] Sue-eee!

[Boy #126] (Squealing sounds)

[Girl #129] Here, piggy, piggy, piggy.

[Boy #133] Sue-eeee.

[Emcee] And that was our last contestant. And first place goes to 126.

Now, judges are ready? We're gonna start with We'll start with number 113.

[Man #113] Wake up! Sue-ee.!

[Man] Suzu!

[Woman 1] Pig, please come home! I can't do this anymore! Please come home!

[Woman 2 Penelope, what are you doing here? Well, this is a hog calling contest, isn't it? And I'm the hog!

[Woman #120] Sue-eeeee.

[Man #124] Here, Piggy Piggy! Suuuet! Suuuet!

[Man #128] Here, Piggy Piggy! Swoop! Swoop! Swoop! Swoop! Arnold!

[Woman #127] Suee.

[Man #133] Here, Piggy Piggy. I need some pork chops.

[Woman #134] Piggy Piggy Piggy Piggy! Good boy, good boy. Come on, come on, come on.

[Man #137] I got some mud for you right here. Come on, come on, boy. Come on. Good boy. Good boy.

[Man #115] Hey, piggy, piggy, piggy. Hey, pig, get over here now. Leave that peacock alone.

[Man #138] Sueeeeeeeeee. I'm looking for a wife.

[Emcee] For first, 115. Woo!

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[Abby Brown] Carlie, tell me about Adaptive Sports.

[Carlie Carlson, Adaptive Sports Iowa Director] Yeah, Adaptive Sports Iowa is based out of Ames, Iowa, and we're trying to provide opportunities for all individuals to play sports. So we have different programs like wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball, we have a RAGBRAI team, and then we also lend out equipment because adaptive sports equipment is very expensive.

We get to do this event every year, and we kind of have a different activity each year. And this year we're doing a basketball shooting contest. So anyone here at the fair can join in. And the twist is that all of our participants in this will have to sit in a wheelchair. So they're going to get an idea of what it's like to shoot a basketball sitting down.

It's a lot different. You, when you're standing, use a lot of your legs, and I think people don't realize that. So we're going to have a little leaderboard going. Hopefully it'll be very engaging and we'll get lots of fairgoers to come out.

[Austin, Washington] I had a no idea, like how people— it's harder for people that have to sit in a wheelchair than people that can walk.

[Abby] Sam, tell me about wheelchair basketball. Seems like it's just like regular basketball except you're using wheelchairs.

[Sam Spore, Dysart] Yes, wheelchairs.

[Abby] Okay, so I just use my hands to move forward and back?

[Sam] Move forward and back, yeah.

[Abby] Do some turns?

[Sam] And turns, yes.

[Abby] Okay, Sam, teach me how to do this.

[Sam] So this is what I learned from playing basketball.

[Abby] Ball handling skills galore.

[Sam] You can just dribble and then put it on your lap and then just push.

[Abby] Let me try this.

[Sam] One bounce and then put it on your lap and then two pushes.

[Abby] Okay, okay.

[Sam] And then I'll just square my arm up, my right arm, the one I used to shoot, and then I'll just push it in.

[Abby] Oh, nice! All right, here we go. Ready?

[Sam] Hey, let's go!

(Onlookers cheering)

[Abby] Was it easier to shoot in a wheelchair or easier at home with your legs?

[Micah, Ankeny] It was easier with the wheelchair.

[Abby] Easier with the wheelchair? Well, that's pretty exciting, buddy. Do you think you have a future in wheelchair basketball?

[Micah] Yeah.

[Abby] Let me see your shot. How does it go with your hand? Yeah, buddy, good job.

[Abby] The CEO of the Iowa Sports Foundation, so tell me all about it.

[Chuck Long, CEO/Executive Director - Iowa Sports Foundation] Well, we have 5 pillars underneath that foundation. Our Iowa Games is one pillar, and then we have Senior Games, We have corporate games, we have Live Healthy Iowa, and last but not least, Adaptive Sports Iowa, which is why obviously you're out here and I'm out here as well for that. We just hope they come away with a great experience and they give us feedback, “Hey, I had a great time, love it, we'll be back next year.”

[Abby] Is it harder to shoot from a wheelchair or harder to shoot with your legs?

[Ingrid, Ankeny] Harder to shoot from a wheelchair, definitely.

[Abby] And why do you think that is?

[Ingrid] Because when you're— you have to try and balance yourself also in a wheelchair rather than your legs, and you have less power when you're trying to shoot, so it's definitely different.

[Abby] What do you think about people that are in wheelchairs all the time?

[Ingrid] It's so much harder to do stuff, but yeah.

[Abby] But a great time, isn't it?

[Ingrid] Yeah.

[Carlie] Adaptive athletes want to participate just as much as anyone else. And so when you see an adaptive athlete, whether that's riding their bike, whether that's playing pickup basketball, join in, have fun. Everyone can play. And that's what it's all about. Everyone loves sports and it's such a huge thing in Iowa. The fair is a great place for that.

Everyone can do it, and we can do it together.

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[Bill Riley] Throughout the week, we've seen that many of the Fair's biggest moments begin somewhere else - in gardens, kitchens and on farms across Iowa. The same is true for the Stock Dog Trials.

So let's head to the farm and see how these remarkable dogs learn the skills that bring them to the Iowa State Fair.

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My name is Bob Johnson. I'm from southern Iowa, a town called Tingley. I've been working with stock dogs for probably 33 years.

I was rodeoing back in my days and got tired of bringing the calves down the arena by myself, so I thought if I used a dog it would work, so that's how I got started.

Stock dog, he's bred to bring the stock to you, help you work stock around the farm. Well, there's a lot of breeds of herding dogs. And there's different ones for different things. Like the Border Collie, he's made to go round up the cattle and bring them in to you.

When I start a young dog, I put him in this round pen. I got 3 sheep. I'm going to try not to say a whole lot to him. I can make him go left and right with the stick. This is what I expect a young dog to do and not to harass the sheep.

I try to stay between the sheep and the dog if I think there's going to be trouble. I use a Border Collie. I've used Kelpies and Border Collies. Border Collies are my pick of all the dogs.

Border Collies are by far the easiest to train. They're the smartest dog in the world. And when they're that smart, if you're capable of explaining to them what you want, don't take them very long and they've got it figured out. I'm using the stick to kind of keep him moving. I've always been a competitive person, so it didn't take me very long. I was in the— trying the trials out to see how I competed against the other players. So it's— I've been at it for quite a while.

I've been an 8-time national catalog champion, reserve champion, or national champion in either the nursery or the open competition. I've won a lot of state fairs, a lot of Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Wyoming.

Been to a lot of trials all over the country, and I met a lot of good people doing it.

The difference between a ranch dog and a trial dog, I expect my trial dogs to be able to go work on the ranch. The ranch dog is so handy. He can come and run a dog trial too. You got a good one.

When you're working 400 head of cows, the dog has a tendency to work a little tight on the cattle to keep them moving. When you're in a dog trial, an arena or something, that dog's got to stay off them cattle, otherwise you get them going too fast and you miss your obstacles.

You got to be able to read the stock, you got to be able to read your dog, and every dog's a little different. Whether they're cooperating, whether they're wild, whether they're fast, I'm trying to figure out where I gotta place my dog, and then when they go through an obstacle, I'm always thinking about how I gotta send my dog to hit the next obstacle.

You're always paying attention to what's going on. A good stock dog, if you got a good one, you can replace 2 or 3 men on a cattle ranch. It's just, a dog can do so much work. The dog's not gonna argue with you. He's gonna do whatever you tell him to do.

It's just they're really handy. They make life easier, and they're just amazingly smart. More farmers ought to have them.

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[Hayley Schaefer] We're here at Pioneer Hall for the Ladies Rubber Chicken Throwing Contest, a longstanding tradition at the Iowa State Fair. And while not every competitor will throw their chicken the farthest, everybody will experience the simple joy of throwing a rubber chicken.

[Regina Pirtle, Pioneer Hall Superintendent] Rubber chicken throwing at Pioneer Hall began because we had rolling pin toss, and we had very heavy old rolling pins that actually went a great distance. And so I was thinking of something that we could use instead of the rolling pin that would be similar but not quite as harsh and painful.

And so rubber chicken, for whatever reason, came up, and that is what we have been using ever since. This is an example of our rubber chicken, and our participants must not use the neck, must not use the legs. They must throw it by the body. This one is a little bit abused. I'm trying to replace them for next year, but so far so good.

All ladies can participate. We have a division for 51 and over, and then anyone younger than that, from 16 on up. We'd love to have you.

[Hayley] All right, so tell me a little bit, what brought you here and what were we doing today?

[Woman 1] So today we're doing the Rubber Chicken Throwing Contest, and I'm from Boston, Mass. So a couple weeks ago I saw someone randomly post about the Iowa State Fair, and I said, “I think I'd like to go to that.” It’s my first time here and I'm having a lot of fun.

[Hayley] And for you?

[Woman 2] I am from Illinois, but my boyfriend's from Iowa and always brags about how great the Iowa State Fair is, so I checked it out last year. I came—this was the first time I did it last year, and I placed fourth. It was fun.

[Hayley] Can you show me your best chicken dance moves? There we go, I like it.

Hi, I'm Jean Stallander from Manning, and I actually did this for the first time last year. I didn't have any idea I won 3rd place till I had people text me and say, you won 3rd place in this contest. And these are my two friends. They didn't want to, but I've talked them into it.

[Hayley] All right, so tell me what brought you to the Iowa State Fair today?

[Woman 3] We've gone to the Missouri State Fair for 30 years and we decided to try the Iowa State Fair instead. It's our 3rd year, so I think this is our tradition from now on.

[Hayley] And how did you decide to do Ladies Rubber Chicken Throwing? Had you seen it before or what did you think?

[Woman 3] We watched PBS the first night at our hotel before we came the first time and we saw the whole backstory about it, and my husband said, “You've got to try it.” But I've never thrown a chicken in my life, so I think I did okay.

[Hayley] I didn't throw the longest distance, but I did get to throw a rubber chicken, and I still got a ribbon.

[Regina] I especially want our fairgoers to enjoy themselves. I want them to feel a part of what we do here, and it could be any of our contests. This is just one of them, but it's a fun one.

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[Christina Roelofs, Iowa Department of Natural Resources] We are at the courtyard at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, and today we're building bird boxes with youth. These bird boxes help out cavity nesting birds such as bluebirds, chickadees, wrens, swallows. This is America 250, and the goal is to build 250 bird boxes with youth. So we're conducting this event 3 times during the fair.

Once you complete these bird boxes, they're free and they're for you to take home and put to good use.

[Jim Coffey, Iowa Department of Natural Resources] What's important about building bluebird boxes is that these boxes will go up in all 99 counties, and that means more habitat across the state, and it means more people engaged in what's going on in their backyard. And maybe they'll visit their local nature center and learn more about what's important and unique about their part of the state.

Bluebirds are great insect eaters, and as they're feeding those young, they're constantly going after insects in your yard. And we also think of the bluebird of happiness. They give us tranquility and peace. The other unique thing about bluebirds is they are highly tolerant of people, so they'll let you come and watch them.

They'll actually let you open their box up and look at the young to count the eggs without disturbing the nest. So they are a great conduit between nature and people.

We know that bird Bluebird populations have declined in the last 40 years, and by building this habitat, we're engaging people with their own outdoor experience.

Another thing that's important about birding in Iowa and building bluebird boxes is most people don't realize the number one outdoor activity of all people in the United States is birdwatching. And so anytime we can engage more people to be out birdwatching, what we know is we protect what we love. And so if you can become a lover of birds, you'll protect nature.

[Girl 1] I built a birdhouse. It'll give them a home.

[Girl 2] I built this birdhouse and I'm coloring a flower on it. I want to put this birdhouse in my front yard.

[Emily Lewis Anderson, The Home Depot] So I came to the fair today. I came to build a birdhouse. I wanted to come see how all the kids were doing on their birdhouses and how they were decorating theirs as well. I think this project is important. We're teaching the kids how to be future builders, how to use a hammer, how to screw things together, how to build something that's going to be very useful in life.

[Man 1] I think it's really important we protect wildlife. We only have this one Earth. We don't get a do-over. We don't get a second chance. We have what we have. We need to take care of it. That's really what it comes down to.

I live in an area where there's not a lot of trees, so I'm hoping that it can bring birds to my neighborhood.

[Jim] When we're building bluebird houses, what I see is potentially the next ornithologist, the next person that will become engaged with wildlife, understand the value of wildlife to the citizens of Iowa, and then they'll grow an appreciation for the things that are out there in nature. So I don't know, that next nail could be the next state ornithologist that goes on to have a career that will take over when I'm gone.

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[Bill Riley] Whether it's your first Fair or your fiftieth, earning a ribbon is always something special. Here are some of today's winners.

(On screen text: 

Food — Kids Taco Treat Trickery, Ages 6-8 
1st - Casey Swinton, Ankeny 
2nd - Malcolm Woods, Des Moines 
3rd - Brooklyn Barton, West Des Moines

Food — Kids Taco Treat Trickery, Ages 9-12 
1st - Maxwell Lansman, Indianola
2nd - Ryan Barton, West Des Moines 
3rd - Wyatt Swinton, Ankeny

Food — Bud Elwell's Old Fashioned Fudge  
1st - Belinda Myers, Osceola
2nd - Lyndsay Baker, Des Moines 
3rd - Dawn Shaw, Pella

Food — Pineapple Jam
1st - George Ellerbach, Iowa City 
2nd - Rod Zeitler, Iowa City 
3rd - Martha Kunkle, Carlisle  

Floriculture — Intermediate Division - Fairy Garden
1st - Ella Juhl, Waverly 
2nd - Hazel Seufert, Winterset 
3rd - Phoenix Bednarz, Woodward

Mini Tractor Pull — Super Stock
1st - Terry Corey, Waverly, NE
2nd - Kevin Keech, Story City
3rd - Terry Corey, Waverly, NE

Mini Tractor Pull — 4x4
1st - Jeff Netcott, Clarion
2nd - Frank Andrews, Collins
3rd - Jim Adams, Waukee

Farm Team — Feed Team Race 
1st - Branden Harp Alice & Queen, Mt. Pleasant 
2nd - Jim Stuart Jinger & Paulee, New Virginia 
3rd - Branden Harp Betty & Prince, Mt. Pleasant
4th - Jim Stuart Judy & Stormy, New Virginia 
5th - Brad Criswell Max & Frank, St. Charles IA  

Farm Team — Antique Machinery or Vehicle
1st - Tony Garrett Travis and Flash, Douds 
2nd - Jeff Christiansen Saige/Sierra, Clarinda
3rd - Branden Harp Alice & Queen, Mt. Pleasant 
4th - Jim Stuart Jinger & Paulee, New Virginia 
5th - Jim Stuart Judy & Stormy New Virginia  

Photography — People
1st - Grace Dickerson, Lutz FL 
2nd - Henry Wortock, West Des Moines
3rd - Sarah Hovey, Monticello  

Photography — Iowa Places & Landscapes 
1st - Tyler Kerr, Lenox
2nd - Clarence Smith, Des Moines IA
3rd - Daniel Pennington, Mason City )

[Bill Riley] We're halfway through our final night of Iowa State Fair highlights, but we've still got plenty to share. Stay with us because when we come back we'll watch utility crews put their training and teamwork to the test in the Lineman Rodeo. We'll hear some enthusiastic competitors at the Husband Calling Contest and we'll see months of hard work rewarded at the 4-H and FFA Sale of Champions.

Don't go away. We'll be right back with more state fair highlights on Iowa PBS.

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[Abby] If you could win any competition at the fair, what would it be?

[Girl 1] Dance!

[Woman 1] Probably the mom calling contest.

[Abby] Okay, okay, how about you?

[Woman 2] Um, I would probably win one of the cooking competitions because I can't cook.

[Man 1] Maybe a food eating contest.

[Abby] What would you eat?

[Man 2] Um, it's a tough one. Pizza, maybe?

[Abby]  You're not gonna go with elephant ears?

[Man 2] I've actually never had an elephant ear.

[Man 3] Uh, the chicken toss. I need to win the chicken toss. That's what I love.

[Man 4] Ooh, I'm a big cook myself. I've always wanted to do a chili contest, but never had the time to.

[Woman 3] I would like to do one of the art contests.

[Man 5] Ooh. Uh, no, no, no. She's the athlete, so I don't— but the contests a lot have to do with like yelling and eating, so it's probably me because I'm loud and hungry.

[Girls] Running.

[Woman 4] Eating ice cream.

[Abby] If you could win any contest at the fair, what would it be?

[Woman 5] The pie eating contest.

[Abby] What's your favorite pie?

[Woman 5] Cherry.

[Abby] Does he like cherry too?

[Woman 5] He likes any pie.

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Welcome back. Not every livestock project has to weigh a thousand pounds to make a big impression. Next, we're headed to the poultry barn, where 4-H members are proudly showing the rabbits they've worked with all year.

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[Lea Charlson, Belmond] I've been showing rabbits. My mom started when she was in high school, and she just kept going, and it transferred to me and my sister, and we've been showing since I was like 5 years old. It depends on your breed. So each breed has a standard of perfection, and it's broke down into 100 points, and it goes through and it shows, you know, is it more on the body, is it more on the fur?

They'll have points on their ears, on their head, and their body. It depends on the body type that you have. English Spots, so those are bull arch, so they're based on how they run and their carriage of themselves, and a lot on how they're built and they also have a lot of points on their markings.

The butterfly and their ears have to have color, and they have to have the stripe down their back, and the spots have to be— they're very specific about that. And there's a lot more on the markings for those.

[Emcee] Our first place senior doe right here. We'll see her at the end of the day.

Hello, my name is Claire Korver. I'm a senior showman, and I'm a part of the Riverside Rockets 4-H Club. This is my chocolate tan senior buck, Dr Pepper. Tans have a feature called the triangle where it's a nice deep tan color and you want it to be equilateral. And tans also have a coat called flybacks.

And next you're going to check the body for firmness.

[Owen Wenthold, Cresco] It's my first year. I was just looking forward to the experience and seeing how I can change and do better. My favorite thing is probably seeing all the different varieties, all the sizes, like small and big and different colors. That's just cool to see to me.

[Lea] I think the benefit of showing small animals is the community. Everyone's so just welcoming and everyone is just—you go to a show and it's the same people every time and you just build a family through it.

[Owen] I've learned that you gotta work hard to get here and gotta figure out all the timing and keep them under the weights and just make sure you take care of your animal.

When you talk to the people, it's really entertaining and you'll meet some of the best people up here.

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[Chaz Allen, Iowa Utilities Association] We are on year two of the Lineman Rodeo here at the Iowa State Fair. Year one was questionable. That went through and it went pretty well. And this one, I don't want to say it doubled in size, but it increased quite a bit.

[Keith Jones, Alliant Energy] This event is all about just getting our folks together so they can showcase their professionalism. Showcase the ability that they have.

[Chaz] The two main ones are the speed climb, where you climb up, put an egg in your mouth, come back down without breaking the raw egg, and then the fastest time wins.

The other main event is the hurt man rescue, where you go up, rescue— it's a dummy about 180 to 200 pounds— bring it to the ground safely, and then simulate a life story that somebody got injured and you have to bring them down.

The other two are mystery events. Those are wired events where they're moving wires and insulators and they learned about those yesterday, so they didn't have time to train for them.

[Paige Aldrich, Midwest Line College] I'm with the Midwest Line College just helping run score sheets and promoting the college. Today we're kind of just watching all the teams and all the fun skills they get to do and put it on as a little contest instead of as a job, I guess, as you would in the real world.

The egg carry one's kind of fun to watch.

[Logan Hohensee, MidAmerican Energy] So we start off with an egg in a bucket that we hold in our mouth, and we climb up to the top of the pole as fast as we can, throw the existing bag down on the ground, put the egg in our mouth, and try to get down as fast as we can.

This is actually my first year at the Lineman Rodeo, and I believe this is the second one ever at the Iowa State Fair. We started off with a couple of hiccups in our first event, but we kind of ironed it out in our second, and hopefully this one is going to go just as good.

So our final event is actually the Hurt Man Rescue, which is to our north here. And yeah, that's our last event, and then we'll wait till the awards ceremony to see how we did.

[Paige] I chose this because I was always interested in the electrical side of things, and then I wanted to do something more outdoorsy, so I kind of just figured out this was a trade to get into and went for it. They'll teach you all the basics, how to climb and do everything the right way, learn fundamentals in a way, and then they— you learn a lot of about things like the background of stuff so you're out there doing it right.

[Keith] We partner with a lot of tech schools because they give you the base, the fundamentals of the utility business. So that's that stepping stone to get into the utility business. So those tech schools really go through kind of the base, the base items They go through the climbing, the math, and things like that, but it gets you acclimated to even see if you want to be in this utility trade.

And then once you get into the utilities, you have your apprenticeship. So it's what we talk about, you earn while you learn, right? So you're actually every day learning something new.

[Logan] I hate to say it, but linemen are a dying breed. You know, we need to keep getting the younger guys in and training them right, and this is kind of an event to bring everyone together, those who know it, those who don't, and have a a little one-on-one with a lot of our vendors out here as well, and just get to know the trade, really.

Well, obviously people don't like being without power. We're the guys who come out when it's raining and storming and fix it up for you.

[Chaz] I don't think people see this every day. They see when the storm hits, utility crews go out, they fix everything, they go back. But they don't really pay attention to what they have to do at times, because when they show up, they don't know what they're showing up into. But this It's a controlled environment. It's for time. It's for fun. And it's a good time.

It's our grid. It's the most important thing we have right now. You know, with— I mean, your phone. You know, you go home, your garage door opens, your home is 72 degrees. You've got your beers cold in your refrigerator, you know, when you get home at night. Your stove works. That's what this is about. But that— and then also the hospitals. Think about all the important things. Banking. All the important things. Somebody said 3% of the U.S. economy is the utility industry, but it runs the other 97%. That's how important that is.

Most of the fans here are family. You know, it's their— it's the wife and kids and mother and father following that team around that their son or daughter is on in this event.

So, I mean, it's fans, people come in from the fair, but a lot of the people here are just our family.

[Logan] We call each other, we're brother's keepers, right? We're looking out for one another. It's a second family, essentially, is what it is. Yeah, if you're interested in it, talk to someone and learn, really.

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[Bill Riley] The stage is set. These are the final performers who earned a place in this year's Talent Championships.

Sprouts Champions

Arnav Dervesh, 12, Ankeny — Piano Solo
Dylan Finch, 9 and Dixon Lynch, 10, Centerville — Jazz Duet
Micah Rusch, 12, Cedar Falls — Stand-Up Comedy Set
Brinley Koster, 12, Breda, and Charlee Stitz, 12, Carroll — Acro/Jazz Dance Duet

Seniors Finalists

Reece O’Leary, 17, Grimes — Instrumental Solo
Kaelyn Townsley, 18, Morning Sun — Tap Dance Solo
Camden Lewis, 18, Des Moines — Classical Flute Performance
Sage Minnihan, 20, Onawa — Musical Theatre Vocal Solo

Find out who takes home the title at the Talent Championships, Sunday, August 23 at 8 p.m. on Iowa PBS.

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[Bill Riley] The Iowa State Fair has no shortage of unique competitions - and this next one has been making audiences smile for ages. It's time to see who has the loudest, most creative call in the Husband Calling Contest.

[Emcee] Number 113 will begin our contest today. Number 113.

[#113] Brad, oh Brad, Bradley. Bradley! I have chocolate.

[#127] I didn't know you had to be a comedian to do this.

[#121] David!

[#128] Howard!

[#116] Ken!

[#134] Robert Allen!

[#124] Gregory!

[#115] Hey Siri, call Bub Husband.

[#133] Food!

Wes, we just won the lottery!

[Emcee] Contestant 129. 129.

[#129] So— oops, I meant to call my husband, but I called the hogs instead. Silly me. I'll try it one more time. Ditter, ditter, ditter, ditter! Come to ditter! The hogs are here!

[Emcee] Number 114. 114.

[#114] Oh, Gary, where are you? Hey, I'm not kidding around now. We need to get going to the fair. Gary! Gary, get right here right now! Oh, there you are.

[Emcee] Number 117. 117.

[#117] Risty, it's ready. I got pancakes cooking on the stove. Risty Bryce, yoo-hoo, it's your wife again. So come in, come in for breakfast. 525,600 pancakes, 525,000 cakes made this year. Listen, I know I'm loud and annoying and crazy, but I love you.

[Emcee] We have 120 next. 120.

[#120] You know, technology's great. Cell phones are great, except when you live in a dead zone. Then you gotta resort to old school, what we call the backdoor holler.

Henry! Dinner!

[Emcee] They were just really, really creative today.

4th, 114. 
3rd place goes to 129. 
2nd place, 117. 
1st place for 2026 is 120.

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[Paul Yeager] The door is open and the sale is on. Rhylee Rodgers is bringing out her animal and this Sale of Champions is underway. It's the biggest event to end the state fair to showcase the best animals in the state of Iowa.

First into the ring is Rhylee Rodgers from Searsboro with her Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer.

Each student receives 80% of the sale amount with 20% going back to the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement.

Sold! $55,000!

Here's Chloe Rogers from Iowa City with your Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer. This is Chloe's second year as the Reserve Grand Champ. And sold, $100,000. That's a new record.

Maddox England from Mount Ayr with the Grand Champion 4-H Market Heifer. Maddox is 12 years old. And his heifer sells for $80,000.

The Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Heifer owned by Andrew Arkema from Sully. This is his second year in a row as the Reserve Grand Champion. And it sells for $63,000, a new record!

Time to switch gears. Jillian Woodruff from Moorland to the ring now. This is your Grand Champion FFA Market Hog. Sold a whopping $155,000! That's a new record!

On to Oliver Grings from Wilton and his Reserve Grand Champion FFA Market Hog. Oliver's hog brings $49,000.

Now to the 4-H champions.

For a second time today, it's Rhylee Rodgers from Searsboro. She's into the ring with her 4-H Grand Champion Market Hog. And the champ sells for $19,000.

And for the 3rd time today, it's Rhylee Rodgers in the ring. This time, the Reserve Champion 4-H Market Hog. This is a record performance by a single exhibitor. We've had someone with two winners before, but never three. Congratulations, Rhylee! Her Reserve Champion 4-H Market Hog sells for $14,000.

Market Lambs are next. Here's Paityn Peterson of Rhodes and her Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb. Sold for $48,500! That's a new record.

It's Sawyer Morrical from Clarion with her Reserve Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb. Sawyer also won this award last year. This year, a new record at $23,500.

Here's Whitney Williams from Mabel, Minnesota with her Grand Champion 4-H Market Lamb. And her sale goes for $9,000.

You're not seeing double. This is Lindsey Williams, who is also from Mabel, Minnesota, and her Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Lamb. She had the reserve last year as well. And her sale nets $9,000.

Time for the meat goats.

Caden Meyer is in the ring. This is his Grand Champion FFA Meat Goat. And it sells for $19,000.

Here now, Ava Long and her Grand Champion 4-H Meat Goat. Let's see how she does. $55,000! That's a new record.

On to the birds.

This is Lawton Pitzen from Adel and his Grand Champion 4-H Market Broilers. Lawton is 12 years old and this is his first year showing animals at the Iowa State Fair. And his broilers sell for $18,000, a new record.

And the final sale of the day, Mason Wood selling his winning pen of Reserve 4-H Market Broilers. And he sells them for $17,000. That's a new record.

The sale total was $734,000. That's a new record.

Congratulations to all the winning bidders and all the 4-H and FFA students. Well done.

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[Bill Riley] For six nights, you've experienced the Iowa State Fair through the lenses of our Iowa PBS videographers. So before we say goodbye, we'd like to leave you with one last look at the fair through their eyes.

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♪ ♪ ♪

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[Bill Riley] Well, that's a wrap on our 2026 Iowa State Fair coverage. What a week it's been. If you'd like to revisit your favorite stories, or catch anything you missed, you can keep the fair going anytime online.

No matter where you are or when you tune in, our Iowa State Fair coverage is always within reach. Find it wherever you connect with Iowa PBS.

From all of us at Iowa PBS, thanks for joining us. Until next year, I'm Bill Riley, and we hope you had fun at the fair!

♪♪ (Credits rollup on screen) ♪♪

Host
Bill Riley

Executive Producer
Theresa Knight

Editors/Production Assistants
Julie Knutson
Neal Kyer

Segment Producers
Judy Blank
Patrick Boberg
Dan Bolsem
Laurel Bower
Tyler Brinegar
Josh Buettner
Andrea Coyle
Travis Graven
Deb Herbold
Emily Kestel
Colleen Krantz
Kelsey Kremer
David Miller
Rachel Mummey
Carissa Stockel
John Torpy
Peter Tubbs
Paul Yeager

Videographers
Darrin Clouse
Scott Faine
Eric Gooden
Mark Haugen
Kenny Knutson

Editors
Reid Denker
Kevin Rivers

Audio
David Feingold

Technical Director
Reid Denker

Camera
Lucas Thompson
Clarissa Stockel
Luke Garcia
Philip Blobaum

Field Reporters
Abby Brown
Travis Graven
Brooke Kohlsdorf
Dana Lain
Charity Nebbe
Blair Ryan
Hayley Schaefer

Motion Graphics
Bo Dodge
Brent Willett

Production Assistance
Tiffany Clouse

Production Supervisor
Sean Ingrassia

Graphics
Joe Bustad

Creative Director
Alisa Dodge

Digital Team
Matt Clark
Danny Engesser
Abby Friedmeyer
Randy Garza
Gavin Jensen

Communications Team
Caryline Clark
Matt Clark
Bo Dodge
Hayley Schaefer
Dan Wardell

Master Control
Jim Quint
Jason Walerius

Programming & Operations Manager
Matt Weesner

Director of Communications & Marketing
Caryline Clark

Executive Director & General Manager
Andrew Batt

Copyright 2026
Iowa PBS
iowapbs.org

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With our Iowa roots and Midwestern values, Farmers Mutual Hail is committed to offering innovative farm insurance for America's farmers, just as we have for six generations. Farmers Mutual Hail, America's crop insurance company.

As Iowans, we all want clean air, land and water. Iowa's pig farmers do, too. You can learn more about the Iowa Pork Producers Association at iowapork.org/wecare.

Since 1929, Wellabe has offered insurance solutions to help people protect their health and financial well-being. Wellabe strives to empower people to be well, well prepared and well protected. Learn more at wellabe.com.

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