Ottumwa Soloist Wins 2026 Iowa State Fair Bill Riley Talent Search

DES MOINES, IA (08/23/2026) (readMedia)-- Caleb Meiners, 20, of Ottumwa, placed first in the senior division during the championship round of the 66th annual Bill Riley Talent Search Competition held Sunday, August 23, at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. Meiners was awarded a $10,000 prize for his contemporary solo.

Sage Minnihan, 20, of Onawa, was awarded second place and $5,000 for her musical theater vocal solo.

Third place and $2,500 went to Camden Lewis, 18, of Des Moines, with his classical flute performance.

Fourth place went to Reece O'Leary, 17, of Grimes, with his instrumental solo.

Fifth place was awarded to Gwen Franczyk, 16, of Urbandale, with her piano solo.

Acts competed statewide to qualify for competition in this year's Bill Riley Talent Search at the Iowa State Fair. The championship round took place on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi with media sponsor iHeart Radio. Bill Riley, Jr. hosted the show.

More than $22,000 was awarded to the senior and sprout divisions combined.

Sprout winners included:

Faith Eugenia Scott, 10, Johnston, Violin Solo

Lucy Smid, 11, West Des Moines, Jazz Dance Solo

Brody Taylor, 11; Rio Slaughter, 11; Renzo Slaughter, 11; Clive, Trio Dance Group

Eloise Pohlmann, 8, Truro, Vocal Solo

Arnav Dervesh, 12, Ankeny, Piano Solo

Dylan Finch, 9; Dixson Lynch, 10; Centerville, Jazz Duet

Micah Rusch, 12, Cedar Falls, Stand Up Comedy

Brinley Koster, 12, Breda, and Charlee Stitz, 12, Carroll, Acro/Jazz Duet

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The Iowa State Fair is one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country and the single largest event in the state. The Fair began over 170 years ago and is now considered one of the best events in the nation, attracting more than one million Fairgoers every year from all over the world. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University, just off the interstate and minutes from Downtown Des Moines. Fair Spirit, August 13-23, 2026. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.