Butter Cow, Cowgirl Queen, Sheep Shearing, Weed Identification and Bread Pudding Contests, State Fair Queen, Pioneer Hall Song, Big Animals, Horse Show Organist, Chainsaw Artist and more.
On this episode of Fair:
- Butter Cow
- Thrill Ville
- Cowgirl Queen Contest
- Sheep Shearing
- State Fair Queen*
- Weed Identification Contest
- Pioneer Hall Song
- Big Animals
- Horse Show Organist
- 50 Years at the Fair: 1990s
- Bread Pudding Contest
- Chainsaw Artist
- As if You Were There … At the Fair
Support for Fair 2021 on Iowa PBS is provided by EMC Insurance, the Iowa Pork Producers and the Iowa State Treasurer and its College Savings Iowa 529 plan.
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 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.
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.