Big Pumpkin Contest, Fiddlers’ Championship, Quilts, Little Hands on the Farm, Chatting at the Grill, Queen Contest & Interview, 4-H Sisters, Governor’s Charity Steer Show, Fair Flashback–Fair Fashion, Food Contest–Frosted Sugar Cookie, Butter Cow
Iowa PBS has brought Iowa State Fair highlights statewide for 48 years, and is once again broadcasting extensive coverage of the Iowa State Fair in 2018. Bill Riley returns as host of this year’s coverage, which is full of feature contest results, unique stories, food, animals, music and more.
Below is a list of topics scheduled for this Fair 2018 episode. Please note, topics are subject to change.
Wednesday, August 15
- Big Pumpkin Contest
- Fiddlers’ Championship
- Quilts
- Little Hands on the Farm
- Chatting at the Grill
- Queen Contest & Interview
- 4-H Sisters
- Governor’s Charity Steer Show
- Fair Flashback–Fair Fashion
- Food Contest–Frosted Sugar Cookie
- Butter Cow
Support for Fair 2018 is provided by EMC Insurance Companies, the Iowa Lottery, the Gilchrist Foundation and Friends of Iowa PBS Foundation.
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.