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2026 Iowa State Fair was Record Setting, History Making

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 14:08:25 -0400

The 2026 Iowa State Fair wasn't just another great Fair, it was a record-setting, history-making, 11-day celebration of everything that makes Iowa, Iowa. From record-breaking attendance and packed Grandstand shows to livestock milestones, new food...

Ottumwa Soloist Wins 2026 Iowa State Fair Bill Riley Talent Search

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 17:57:18 -0400

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 h...

Day Three of Bill Riley Semi-Finals 2026

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 18:27:15 -0400

Four talented Senior division acts (ages 13-21) have advanced to the Championship round in Bill Riley's 66th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Sunday, August 23. Four Sprout acts were crowned champions.

Day Three of Bill Riley Semi-Finals 2026

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 18:27:15 -0400

Day Two of Bill Riley Semi-Finals 2026

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:57:19 -0400

Three talented Senior division acts (ages 13-21) have advanced to the Championship round in Bill Riley's 66th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Sunday, August 23. Two Sprout acts were crowned champions.

Porky Parm Gnocchi Wins 2026 Iowa State Fair People's Choice Best New Food

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:43:28 -0400

The Porky Parm Gnocchi, from Destination Grille, is the winner of the 2026 Iowa State Fair People's Choice Best New Food Contest. There were 15,954 votes for the People's Choice Best New Food this year. The Porky Parm Gnocchi received 44.9% of the...

Day One of Bill Riley Semi-Finals 2026

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:57:16 -0400

Bill Riley Talent Search Attracts Multi-Talented Artists

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:57:15 -0400

Five talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) and five Senior division acts (ages 13-21) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 66th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, August 20, Friday,...

Bill Riley Talent Search Attracts Multi-Talented Artists

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:57:15 -0400

Talented Dancers and Musicians Advance to the Next Round of Bill Riley Talent Search

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:57:18 -0400

Five talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) and four Senior division acts (ages 13-21) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 66th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, August 20, Friday, ...

Talented Performers Advance to the Next Round of Bill Riley Talent Search

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 17:57:15 -0400

Five talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) and six Senior division acts (ages 13-21) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 66th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, August 20, Friday, A...

Performers Continue to the Next Round of Bill Riley Talent Search

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 17:57:16 -0400

Three talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) and four Senior division acts (ages 13-21) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 66th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, August 20, Friday...

Tama County's Belle Werner Crowned 2026 Iowa State Fair Queen

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 21:27:23 -0400

Belle Werner of Tama County was crowned the 2026 Iowa State Fair Queen Saturday evening on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi with media sponsor iHeart Radio. The 2026 Iowa State Fair Queen Coronation is presented by Nature Hill with...

Performers Dance to the Next Round of Bill Riley Talent Search

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 17:57:16 -0400

Three talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) and three Senior division acts (ages 13-21) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 66th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, August 20, Frida...

Musicians, Dancers and Singers Top Iowa State Fair Talent Search

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 18:27:20 -0400

Four talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) and seven Senior division acts (ages 13-21) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 66th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, August 20, Friday,...

"Big Bad Joe" Claims State Fair Biggest Ram Title

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:27:19 -0400

"Big Bad Joe," the Suffolk ram shown by Jim Fisher of Mercer, MO, tipped the scales at 568 pounds to win the 2026 Iowa State Fair Biggest Ram Competition, and breaking the previous record of 507.5 pounds, set in 2014.

"Big E" Tops Iowa State Fair Super Bull Competition

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:27:17 -0400

"Big E," the 3,026-pound Red Angus bull owned by Brett and TJ Goecke of State Center, outweighed the competition to win the Super Bull Contest judged Thursday, August 13, at the 2026 Iowa State Fair.

Dancers and Singers Top Iowa State Fair Talent Search

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:57:19 -0400

"Zoomer" Wins 2026 State Fair Biggest Boar Title

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:57:17 -0400

A mere six pounds separated the Champion and the Reserve Champion in the 2026 Iowa State Fair Biggest Boar Competition, held Thursday, August 13.

JUST ADDED: JOHN WAITE TO HEADLINE THE IOWA STATE FAIR GRANDSTAND FRIDAY, AUGUST 14

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 16:27:21 -0400

The Iowa State Fair is excited to welcome music legend John Waite, the acclaimed singer-songwriter behind the No. 1 hits "Missing You" and "When I See You Smile," to headline the Grandstand for a free concert at 8 p.m. on Friday, August 14. Waite ...

Parade to Kick-off 2026 Iowa State Fair

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:57:20 -0400

The Iowa State Fair Parade, August 12, 2026, at 6:15 p.m., serves as the official kick-off to the 2026 Iowa State Fair. The parade will travel from the Capitol down Grand Avenue and march west to 15th Street. Approximately 145 entries are register...

Rod Stewart Concert Update

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:42:23 -0400

Due to medical issues, Rod Stewart's Grandstand performance at the Iowa State Fair will not take place as scheduled. We are deeply sorry for the change. We are currently looking for a replacement act.

How to Get to the Iowa State Fair

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 10:57:22 -0400

With new parking improvements, updated traffic entries and convenient transportation options, Fairgoers have more ways to get to the fun at the Iowa State Fair. Whether you choose to park, ride DART or hop on the new FREE shuttle from Southridge M...

Know Before You Go to the Iowa State Fair

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:57:20 -0400

Only 1 week, 168 hours, 10,080 minutes or 604,800 seconds until the 2026 Iowa State Fair! Here are a few things you should know before you go to the Iowa State Fair this year.

Wet Weather Delays Iowa State Fair Vendor and Camper Parking

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 11:32:14 -0400

With 2.5 inches of rain overnight and more rain today, the Iowa State Fair is pausing all vendor and camper setup on Wednesday, August 5.