Welcome to live coverage of the 2026 Iowa State Fair Parade right here on Iowa PBS.

I'm Travis Graven along with Charity Nebbe, and we're getting ready to kick off the Iowa State Fair with a tradition that Iowans have been getting ready for celebrating the Iowa State Fair for generations.

[Charity] That's right, Travis.

People are lining the streets.

The crowds are ready.

And in just a few moments, the state fair parade will be making its way through downtown Des Moines.

[Travis] And when we see that first parade entry coming down the street, you know, it's official.

The Iowa State Fair is here.

[Charity] From the horses to the crowds, the floats, the marching bands, the heat, the humidity.

This really is the perfect kickoff to the Iowa State Fair.

And this year, the fair is joining the nation in celebrating America's 250.

So there's even more reason to celebrate.

[Charity] Let's get this fair started.

[Travis] The 2026 Iowa State Fair Parade is next.

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(Instrumental music) [Charity] We are here on Grand Avenue and Travis, I'm already feeling the Fair Spirit.

How about you?

[Travis] It feels like the fair out here.

[Charity] It does.

[Travis] 87 degrees.

Nice and humid... are having a great time.

And we're getting ready for... you know, everybody loves a parade.

[Travis] Why not kick off the fair with one?

[Charity] It is.

It's such an exciting time.

And of course we're making plans as we're watching the parade go by, making plans for when we get to the fairgrounds.

Do you have something in particular you're excited about this year?

[Travis] Oh well, I there's all sorts of things and I'm sure we'll get into some of them as we go.

You've got to you got to eat.

[Charity] That's the thing.

That's the first thing I plan is what I'm going to eat.

I have the I've got to have a corn dog.

You know, it's a perennial.

[Travis] See, I don't.

[Charity] Well, I know everybody's different.

[Travis] I know that's... [Charity] There's a lot of room.

There's .. world for different people.

More for me, Travis.

[Travis] Oh, we've got the State Patrol bear.

I don't know if the bear has a name.

Do you know?

[Charity] I have no idea.

Honestly.

I think he looks like a dog.

[Travis] It probably is.

That makes more sense.

[Charity] I don't recall seeing him in fairs past, so that's really fun.

[Travis] That's a .. [Charity] Here's the Iowa Department of Corrections Color Guard with a bagpiper this year.

That's wonderful.

The color guard is a ceremonial unit of designated correctional staff that represents the agency at formal functions, parades, memorial service and public events.

And of course, the Iowa State Fair Parade.

[Travis] And great to kick off the fair.. because if you're out at the fair, you see the State patrol out around the grounds everywhere, keeping everybody safe and keeping order out there on the fair grounds.

In addition to the State Fair police as well.

So.

[Charity] All right, we've got the Fair grand marshals going past us right now.

Russ and Terry Slight, one of the fair's power couples.

They've recently retired.

Russ worked in grandstand security for 45 years, and Terry for 43, also in security and as head of the ticket takers.

[Travis] We'll hear from them later in the show.

[Charity] That's amazing.

[Travis] That is, they hav.. Fair and a great, great that they can be at the helm here.

And of course, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.

And my guess is that that's a granddaughter with her and Kevin in the car.

[Charity] Pretty good guess.

[Travis] And this will be the last state fair parade for Governor Reynolds.

[Charity] Well, hopefully she'll keep coming.

[Travis] Oh, I'm sure, I'm sure she will.

But the last, last one riding.

In a car as governor.

Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer following behind.

[Charity] We've got a lot of dignitaries here at the beginning of... [Travis] Statewide elected office holders.

[Charity] Attorney General Brenna Bird is next elected in 2022.

[Travis] And lots of people that are on the ballot th.. governor won't be.

But Lieutenant Governor Cournoyer is, Brenna Bird is.

And Rob Sand, the current state auditor, also running for governor on the ballot this fall.

[Charity] I suspect we'll see a lot of politicians and party presence in the parade this year.

[Travis] You know, political campaigns love a parade.

[Charity] Yep.

[Travis] So they'll be here .. them will be out at the fairgrounds, too.

State Treasurer Roby Smith.

He'll also be on the ballot this fall.

[Charity] Mike Naig, the Secretary of Agriculture.

[Travis] He's got a few extra things to do out at the State fair with that job.

[Charity] Yeah.

Paul Pate is up next.

Our Secretary of State.

[Travis] He'll be in charge of running the elections.

[Charity] That's right.

A very important job.

[Travis] And also on the ballot.

All right.

Now we've got a we got an old fire truck coming here.

[Charity] Nice.

[Travis] I feel like it's making me old because I feel like that doesn't look that old, even though I know it is.

[Charity] I know they certainly looked like that when I was a kid.

We've got Ruth Ann Gaines next.

Representative Ruth Ann Gaines.

[Travis] And she is retiring this year.

She represents the east side of Des Moines, home to the fair.

So one last hurrah for representative Gaines.

[Charity] I think that was the most decorated car that we saw for the dignitaries.

So we'll keep you'll be keeping a tally.

Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Well, they've got a cool little vehicle in the fair this year and a.

[Travis] Great way to get around the fairgrounds.

[Charity] Yeah, I know you're a little low profile.

You might take some people out by the knees.

Not that they ever would.

[Travis] Yeah.

Can it can be a little tricky out at the fair with too many motorized vehicles.

[Charity] It is true.

It is true.

Iowa PBS moves around in the golf carts.

We've got the golf carts, but, you know, we've got to be careful about where we go... there's some places we can't go with... [Charity] You probably have driven one.

[Travis] Every once in a while they'll let me.

[Charity] But yeah, they don't let me.

[Travis] But, there are certain people that are better trained to do that sort of thing than me.

[Charity] But yeah, no, it's not easy to to move, to move through the fairgrounds.

[Travis] The Iowa State Fair police, we're .. State Patrol earlier.

There is a police department at the fairgrounds.

Of course, the fair is their busiest time of year, but lots of other events and things that happen out at the fairgrounds and all the buildings and everything they've got to keep, keep it all safe and secure all year round.

But important jobs for them during the Iowa State Fair.

[Charity] Speaking of important jobs, the Iowa State Fair board members, they are elected annually by delegates from Iowa's 106 county fairs.

Two directors from each of our six geographic districts in the state.

They do a lot of work.

[Travis] They have a a lot of work, very important jobs.

Hopefully they all get a chance to enjoy the fair as well.

A lot of them are out there.

They have golf carts.

They go around in golf carts.

[Charity] All right.

Now we've got some royalty coming our way.

This is the Iowa State Fair Queen for 2025, Riah Schrage.

[Travis] Reigning queen.

[Charity] From Grundy County, Grundy Center in Grundy County.

We'll get to hear from her a little bit later on as well.

Reflection on her year in office.

[Travis] Yeah, a lot of a lot of fun things you get to do.

It's, I'm sure, a busy, crazy time that you get thrown into that position, but what a way to enjoy the fair.

And then of course, the 2026 Fair Queen candidates, 104 contestants will compete for the title of Iowa State Fair Queen this year.

We will have the coronation for you live on Iowa PBS Saturday night at 7 p.m.

at the Bill Riley Stage.

I will be there.

I will be on stage announcing, introducing all of these wonderful, very accomplished young ladies.

So be sure to tune in Saturday night at 7:00 and you'll get to see all of the — there are 104 of them because you know, we have 99 counties, but there are some counties with more than one fair.

[Charity] I can imagine it's a really, really exciting.

And it takes these young women.

[Travis] And it takes three of the shuttles to get them all through the parade.

[Charity] Next up, Iowa State Fair volunteers and the fair could not happen without volunteers.

These are not all the volunteers.

[Travis] Oh no.

They would.. [Charity] These are the volunteers who volunteered to be in the.. are probably busy working or storing up their energy.

[Travis] They take tickets, they give directions.

They work at some of the attractions and buildings.

They staff all sorts of things throughout the fairgrounds.

And so the fair would not happen in the way it does without all those volunteers.

[Charity] All right, here's one we always get excited about.

They're coming right up.

It is the Iowa PBS crew.

[Travis] Oh my gosh.

Who are these people?

[Charity] Oh, there she goes.

Oh three of them.

Oh my gosh.

Three cartwheels.

Is that a record?

[Travis] I'll have to give him a hard time about that.

[Charity] They've probably been practicing.

I'm super impressed.

I'm not out there doing cartwheels.

[Travis] Those folks will be out at the fair.

We'll all be out at the fair a lot the next week and a half.

And of course, you can watch all of our coverage on our nightly fair highlight show next week at 8:00.

[Charity] So we've got the Bike 2 Fair Park 4 Free.

This is a new entry in the in the fair parade.

Consider riding your bike to the fair.

It's a great way to avoid traffic.

And they do have free designated bicycle parking inside gate 13.

[Travis] And coming up here we've got Smokey Bear.

Smokey Bear is on an Iowa Department of Natural Resources fire truck.

And the DNR aquarium at the fairgrounds.

That is a really cool thing that I think a lot of people miss.

If they don't know that it's there, but they're celebrating 100 years this year.

And you can learn more about that and see them preparing for this year's fair on Thursday night as part of our highlight show next week.

So one of the many stories we'll be bringing you.

[Charity] We've got the Iowa State Education Association.

We love our teachers, our educators.

And they brought bubbles.

So that's a good idea.

[Travis]Adds a little something extra.

[Charity] Absolutely, absolutely.

[Travis] You don't have to clean it up later.

[Charity] Teachers know what they're doing when it comes to that.

[Travis] You know, I think.. something there.

That's how they came up with it.

They've got a good creative teachers, right.

[Charity] I want to circle back around to the Iowa DNR building because with rain in the forecast for the first few days of the fair, Travis, I've been thinking a lot about some of the places that I really like to go and hang out.

So if there's a rain shower, obviously you want to bring a poncho, a raincoat, an umbrella.

You want to come prepared.

But I love to go to the fair when it's raining because it keeps the crowds down.

But then also, you know, some of the places on the fairgrounds that you just really want to spend time.

Sometimes it feels like there's pressure, you know, to keep moving all the time.

But the DNR building is one of those places where it's really fun to spend some time.

You can start some conversations with naturalists who are there, who have really fascinating things to say, and look at the aquariums, and it's cool.

[Travis] And I'm always whether it's the DNR building or several of the other buildings that have exhibits, I always come away learning something that I didn't know before, something that I didn't know we had in Iowa or that people were doing in Iowa, whatever it might be.

There's so much to see and do.

The cultural building is one that I like to spend a lot of time in, so that's a good one when there's rain.

[Charity] Oh, absolutely.

[Travis] You can eat up a lot of ti.. [Charity] You can.

I mean, there's so much to see.

But then there's also demonstrations always going on.

I always leave the fair thinking I want to be a woodworker.

I haven't made that happen yet.

[Travis] It looks so easy.

A.. [Charity] They turn out such incredible stuff.

I that's super fun.

I watched a a glassblowing demonstration there a couple of years ago.

That was really cool.

But the photographs, I love the photographs.

I love the art entries.

I just, you can spend a lot of time there.

[Travis] Oh yes, the miniatures.

[Charity] Lots and lots of cool stuff.

[Travis] Yes.

[Charity] This is the .. seeing here.

Nearly 5 million Model A Fords were built in just four years, from 1928 to 1931, and the Central Iowa Model A Ford Club, has been around for a while.

They were founded in 1961, and they're dedicated to the restoration and driving of Ford Model A's.

[Charity] And what?

Oh my gosh.

Yeah, some of the period costumes.

[Travis] In dealing with cars th.. 1931, it is a work of art to see all of these in actual working condition, driving down Grand Avenue here in Des Moines.

[Charity] Absolutely.

And you know that most of the owners of these vehicles have spent hours and hours working on them, restoring them and repairing them.

I've heard that they're a lot easier to work on than today's cars, because they don't have computers all over the place.

[Travis] But I tell you, if we had smell-o-vision, you can smell the engines running here, folks.

[Charity] Smell.

Yes, you can smell the combustion engines.

[Charity] I want to just say a special thank you to the Iowa Genealogical Society.

They let our mobile truck park in their lot every year, again this year, and we're incredibly grateful for their generosity.

The Iowa Genealogical Society invites you to explore your family's past.

Whether you are thinking about dipping your toe into your family history for the first time, or you've researched a little bit, but put it aside for a season.

The Iowa Genealogical Society Library and Research Center can help.

There are a lot of ways to get started or restart with family history research.

[Travis] Lots of cool things going on in the building behind us.

[Charity] Yeah.

[Travis] The Iowa District of Optimist International.

And I'm not going to try to pronounce the name.

Do you know the name of our World Oratorical Champion?

[Charity] I do not.

Jordan from Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

[Charity] I'm guessing Velichkov from Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School, which is awesome.

They're they've got a little America 250 theme going on there as well.

We're seeing a lot of that today, and we will see more of it for sure.

Got the Mid-Iowa Trail Riders Association here, dirt bike and ATV club specializes in dual sport and adventure riding.

[Travis] We worked with them a couple of times years ago on our Iowa Outdoors program.

They do a lot of great things with trails around the state.

[Charity]##I can already hear the School of Rock coming down the road.

Students from the Iowa School of Rock.

This is such a great group for kids to really learn how to play in a rock band.

We've got young musicians on the float.

[Travis] Yeah.

If you've seen the movie or the musical, you think that's really cool, but that's not real life, right?

But it actually happens.

[Charity] Right?

[Charity] Drumming and vocals combined.

That's pretty impressive.

Just like Karen Carpenter.

All right.

What do we have coming up next?

The Jeep Outdoor Club of Central Iowa.

[Travis] I knew we'd have the jeeps, Charity.

[Charity] There are a lot of Jeep enthusiasts in central Iowa.

[Travis] Did you know, though, that there are unspoken Jeep rules and traditions?

[Charity] I did not I did not know that.

[Travis] Well, there's the Jeep wave, the playful duck duck, Jeep.

But let me tell you, I know some people who have jeeps and if you're a Jeep owner, you love your Jeep.

[Charity] Yep.

For sure.

[Travis] Well, fans of Iowa PBS won't want to miss.. the Varied Industries Building, we have a completely new design this year.

Visitors can sign up for the Iowa PBS newsletter that interests them most and spin our giant prize wheel for a special Iowa PBS giveaway.

While kids can cast their vote for their favorite PBS Kids character at our interactive voting station.

So young or old, there's something for you at the Iowa PBS booth in the Varied Industries Building, and we hope to see you there.

[Charity] Well, and Travis, you know, again, to return to the theme of places to hang out when it's raining, of course, the Varied Industries Building is a place that a lot of people go, and when it's raining, it gets very crowded.

But what I think is that you need to go to the Varied Industries Building and go upstairs when it's raining.

I really enjoy the textiles and that's what's upstairs.

That's another secret place on the fairgrounds.

[Travis] People don't often go.

[Charity] A lot of people miss it, and there .. have done the most beautiful work.

We've got quilts, we've got clothing.

We've got, you know, all different kinds of textile arts up there.

And you can spend a lot of time up there.

And I don't know, I guess I'd have to check, but usually there's an opportunity to volunteer and actually help do some sewing as well.

So if the rain is really coming down, you can maybe learn some new skills or put some of your skills into practice.

Go upstairs at the Varied Industries Building.

[Travis] Find all of those secret places.

I shouldn't say secret, but maybe some of the less traveled places.

[Charity] Yeah, they're not the they're not the places where you .. them just because they're visible.

[Travis] Absolutely.

Well, folks, if you can't make it to the fair or maybe the rain's a little too heavy, it keeps some people away, we have you covered.

For over 50 years, Iowa PBS has been showcasing the best of the Iowa State Fair.

Tune in each night next week, Monday through Saturday at 8:00 or 9:00 to see the fair like you won't see it anywhere else right here on Iowa PBS.

And every year we know people who go to the fair and then rush home to watch the show, or some people maybe can't get out, can't get to Des Moines for the fair.

And we enjoy bringing what we can to you here on Iowa PBS so you can experience the state fair like none other.

[Charity] We've got the Submarine Veterans of Iowa going past.

Little Miss Iowa 2026 Maryette Fix of Muscatine and Junior Miss Iowa is Arrabelle Nicol of Davenport.

[Travis] Then the Dance Avenue, a dance studio on the south side of Des Moines.

They've worked on this Charity.

[Charity] I believe so.

We think we're hot.

[Travis] And they all look like they're having a good time right now.

But remember, we are early in the parade route.

We should check back in with them in 6 or 7 blocks and see how things are going.

You can always count on a few dance troupes at the Iowa State Fair Parade.

[Charity] Yep.

[Travis] You know another place on the fairgrounds charity, the four H building?

[Charity] Yes.

[Travis] You know, lots of cool things in the Cultur.. exhibits and people that things that people have worked on.

But I know for me, I used to look at a lot of 4-H exhibits at my county fair when I was growing up.

But then when I got to the state fair, I really didn't think about the 4-H, you know?

4-H was — it seemed like it was a bigger part of the county fair, bigger focus of the county fair.

And then at the state fair, there were so many other things.

I didn't pay attention to it much for many years, but there's a lot of great projects, work, research, all kinds.

I mean, wide range of things that you'll find.

[Charity] Yeah.

I mean, if yo.. really familiar with 4-H, you might be surprised because students in 4-H are doing projects that run the gamut of anything you can imagine.

And it's super fun to see.

[Travis] And it gives those of us kids who didn't grow up on farms and, you know, weren't raising pigs or cattle or whatever to show at the fair, you know, other opportunities to be involved in the community and do fun projects and things as well.

[Charity] All right.

We got a little dancing with B-Bops this year.

[Travis] That is a B-bop.

[Charity] Nice.

[Travis] And I'm glad that's him and not me.

I would be on my face on the concrete.

[Charity] Well, I was just thinking about jeans and a jacket in this weather is what I was focused on.

But... So I always get excited to see what the butter sculptures will be beyond the Butter Cow.

I'm always excited to see.

This year it's the Pepsi clock, which is on the Grand Concourse, so it's an iconic state fair landmark.

That's going to be fun to see.

And other sculptures around America 250.

[Travis] Always fun to see what they do.

[Charity] Yeah.

And there's always stuff in progress.

The Pratts are always, always continuing to work and showing off their craft.

[Travis] I tell you what folks, if you are liking what you're seeing right now, if you enjoy watching Iowa State Fair coverage on Iowa PBS.

We would love to have you support us as well.

Scan the QR code that's on your screen right now, or call the number to make a gift to Friends of Iowa PBS.

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[Charity] We've got the East High Marching Scarlets.

[Travis] The marching band.

(Music) [Charity] Nice.

That's great.

I always admire a band director who can get the kids together in the summer.

[Travis] Right?

Because school has not started yet.

I loved marching band, but yeah, we didn't we didn't do a summer parade.

[Charity] Oh, we came to t.. one, which was a big deal because I grew up in Cedar Falls, and we would sit on the bus for a couple of hours to come to this parade.

We also marched it in full uniform.

[Travis] Oh no, no, no, no.

[Charity] And they'd always give us a like a spee.. know, don't lock your knees.

We've had kids pass out during the parade.

I love that the marching bands that come now get to be in shorts.

[Travis] Well, and the.. the East High cheerleaders.

That's a good costume for state fair parade on a hot, hot day.

And they're getting ready.

Because the football season is right around the corner.

And they're followed by lots of other folks from Des Moines Public Schools at large.

The largest public school district in the state, serving over 30,000 students.

And some of the folks in there, the three a boys state soccer champs, the Hoover Huskies.

[Charity] Nice.

The first ever state title for Des Moines Public Schools soccer program.

That's fantastic.

Congratulations.

[Charity] I'm seeing a sign there, too.

[Travis] Yeah.

bowling champions.

[Charity] That's fantastic.

With the pink shirts to prove it.

[Travis] Yep.

[Charity] And a school bus.

[Travis] I tell you, everybody's getting geared up because summer is — that's the other thing about the state Fair is we know when summer is windi.. [Charity] It's true.

[Travis] And school is right around the corner.

Some kids looking forward to it, some not.

I'm sure.

[Charity] Yeah for sure.

So of course this year we are celebrating America 250 at the Iowa State Fair.

We're celebrating that on our nightly shows as well.

Monday night we're going to dive into new fair foods, many of which have a patriotic theme, and we will join the first ever euchre tournament at the Iowa State Fair.

That is all part of our coverage of Fair 2026, starting at 8 p.m.

Only on statewide Iowa PBS.

[Travis] This is DMI Dance Force, another dance studio, this one on the south side of Des Moines, just south of downtown.

Kenny's part of the dance troupe out there.

He's really in there.

[Charity] That's why he's getting all those great shots.

Love that.

[Travis] And they keep coming and keep coming and keep coming.

Hopefully they've got a lot of space in the dance studio.

[Charity] They probably not all there at once, Travis.

[Travis] I would imagine not.

One of my other favorite spots on the fairgrounds, whether it's rain or shine, I just love to walk around the barns.

It's nice to go kind of later in the fair when all the really big horses are there.

I love to see the giant horses.

That's really fun.

Or, you know, you see the sheep early in the fair, later in the fair, you see the llamas and the goats.

And that's really fun.

[Travis] Always entertaining.

[Charity] National American Miss Iowa Queens.

[Travis] All kinds of pageants.

[Charity] Yeah.

[Travis] I like to go to the Avenue of Breeds.

[Charity] Yeah.

[Travis] And look through look through there... just fun to stroll through the barns, like you say, and see how everyone's caring for the animals, you know, how the animals are hanging out at the fair.

Some of them want to be touched and some of them don't.

[Charity] Right, right.

Make sure you make sure you know which one's which before you do.

[Travis] Yeah.

It's probably best to check before you reach your hand in.

[Charity] Well, I really e.. many breeds of chickens.

They're fun.

They're super fun.

And the rabbits up there too.

The Daughters of the American Revolution.

I have to mention, they're going past right now.

And of course, it's a big year for the Daughters of the American Revolution with America 250.

And they ar.. clothes that women had to wear before we could wear pants, before Amelia Bloomer changed it for all of us.

Thank goodness.

You know, she lived in Iowa for a while.

[Travis] I did not know that.

[Charity] She was not from Iowa, but she and her hu.. Council Bluffs.

Yeah.

She didn't invent the bloomers.

They just named them after her.

But I'm grateful.

I'll tell you what.

[Travis] I got a scholarship to go to college from the Daughters of the American Revolution.

I remember writing my patriotic citizenship essay.

Nice for the scholarship application.

[Charity] Another dance studio MADE Dance Studio from Urbandale.

[Charity] Getting in the Halloween spirit there.

[Travis] You know, for some people, it's never too early.

[Charity] Yes, that is true.

[Travis] I'm not one of those people.

But we're in the Fair Spirit.

That's the theme.

If you've heard us say it a couple times.

You saw it at the very beginning of the parade on a banner.

The Fair Spirit, and it's from the spirit of '76.

[Charity] Right?

[Travis] Bringing in another, more of the America 25.. [Charity] So this year, our Iowa PBS Education crew is going to have a presence in the Iowa DNR building.

This is new for us this year.

Families and children can enjoy the brand new "Explore the Outdoors with Iowa PBS Kids" in the Conservation Discovery Area of the DNR building.

This family friendly space includes interactive outdoor learning, nature displays, and kid focused exhibits featuring some of our favorite PBS Kids characters.

And as I was saying earlier, you don't want to miss the DNR building.

It's when people walk past it.

You have to get back off the main drag.

It's on the Grand Concourse, but it's not right on the sidewalk.

Yeah, you got to walk a little bit.

[Travis] Yeah.

[Charity] Which you're doi.. [Travis] And we've got that cool pond behind there on the side, I should say.

[Charity] But yeah, .. [Travis] Hey, I saw some video somewhere earlier this week of them loading in all the fish.

[Charity] Yeah.

Right.

Again, a 100th anniversary of aquariums at the fair.

So that's really fun.

And honestly, I just, I love to see native species in aquariums because, you know, you spend time on Iowa rivers, particularly the Missouri.

That's opaque.

You can't see what's going on under there.

So it's really fun to see native species of Iowa that you normally don't see.

[Travis] And again, you, I bet some of you will be surprised by what you will see in those aquariums.

And you think that's something you can see in Iowa?

[Charity] Yeah, for sure.

Simpson College is here.

Their athletic teams are the storm and their official mascot is Thunder.

The elephant.

Simpson College in Indianola, of course.

Got our cheerleaders here.

[Travis] Kudos to them for getting here before school starts too.

[Charity] So I just signed up today fo.. Report.

That is a way to go behind the scenes of Iowa PBS coverage with a newsletter, the daily newsletter delivered straight to your inbox throughout the fair.

You can sign up at iowapbs.org.

I'm excited to see what I learn.

[Travis] Well, who did you see today, Charity?

[Charity] I saw Travis Graven.

[Travis] Oh my goodness.

[Charity] I learned all about.. [Travis] If you didn't sign up, you missed it.

[Charity] You'll never learn about Travis.

Except that he had a scholarship from the Daugh.. of the American Revolution and wrote a patriotic essay.

[Travis] That wasn't in that wasn't in this morning's Morning Ribbon Report.

[Charity] Weird that it wasn't covered actually, Travis.

[Travis] Yeah, we'll have to fix that for next year.

[Charity] All right.

So we've got some more Jeeps.

[Travis] There's never too many jeeps.

This is the Jeep Club.

[Charity] Okay.

The Iowa Jeep Club.

Got it.

We were learning about those Jeep traditions and ethics earlier.

And apparently if you drive a Jeep, you are sworn to always help a stranded traveler.

[Travis] That's what I hear.

[Charity] Yeah, I think that's great.

Good job Jeep.. And now you know who to look for if you're stranded.

[Travis] That's right.

And if you see a Jeep go by while you're stranded, then they're not holding true to the... [Charity] They've taken an oath.

They took an oath.

They have to stop.

[Travis] Well, from th.. there's plenty of competition at the Iowa State Fair every year.

Tuesday night it's the beginner's food contest where novice cooks put their skills to the test.

Then watch horsepower and teamwork take over as horse teams compete in the outdoor arena.

Don't miss these unique fair competitions and more during our Iowa PBS Fair 2026 coverage Tuesday night at 8:00.

[Charity] And if you're hearing that and you think, wait, fair coverage is at 9:00, we are starting it earlier this year.

[Travis] It's also at 9:00.

[Charity] That's right.

So watch it at 8:00.

And I'm excited about this because I go to bed at 9:00.

Yeah.

So I always have to catch up on my fair coverage online the next day.

But now, now we can actually watch - I can watch.

I can stay up that late.

[Travis] I'm more of a night owl are you?

[Charity] Yeah?

Did I learn that in the new.. [Travis] No, no no.

[Charity] Tell us more.

[Travis] But if you miss it at 8:00 and if you think it's still on at 9:00, like it has been for many years, you're not going to miss it at 9:00 either.

You can watch it either one.

We want to make sure that you get everything you need from the Iowa State Fair and from Iowa PBS.

[Charity] Absolutely, absolutely.

So of course, also go to iowapbs.org, go to YouTube.

You can see so many great things.

If you miss it on television and we know that you love watching the fair on Iowa PBS.

We know that some of you spend so much time at the fairgrounds that you miss the nightly coverage, so you can watch all of that fair fun anytime, anywhere.

Check out Iowa PBS.org, the Iowa PBS Facebook page, the YouTube channel, the PBS app.

You should definitely have that on all of your smart devices and also tell your out-of-state friends and family that they don't have to miss the Iowa State Fair.

The 2026 Iowa State Fair anytime, anywhere.

Only with statewide Iowa PBS, anywhere you need it to be.

We promise.

[Travis] There are some new things at the fair this year.

We've talked a little bit about America 250 and some of the new things have to do with Celebrating America 250.

There's a legacy sculpture in Ruan Plaza, spirit of 76 Iowa Celebrates America 250.

That exhibit is in the East Marketplace under the grandstand.

250 years of the American Flag Display in the Heritage Village, an Iowa Veterans Memorial Walkway on Expo Hill, nightly drone shows and Iowa Air National Guard flyover.

The Veterans Day parade is not new.

They have that every year.

But of course we'll have some added significance this year.

That's on Monday.

I'll be there for that one.

And then the Star-Spangled Fireworks Spectacular following all of the grandstand shows.

So lots of ways to experience America.

250 and acknowledge and celebrate that at the Iowa State Fair this year.

[Charity] Well, it sounds like I mean, with the theme this year, the places that you think, "oh, I've been there so many times, I don't need to see that."

I think you need to go again.

[Travis] You might miss out on something new or different this year.

[Charity] Under the grandstand is it's one of those places where sometimes I skip it.

I'll be honest, I've been.

I've sat in the fire truck.

I've honked the horn.

But this year I'm going.

[Travis] Don't want .. [Charity] No.

[Travis] And then there'll be other th.. around throughout the fairgrounds.

Some red, white and blue foods.

[Charity] Some more dancers here.

DSM Metro Mix Group Dance company.

For girls between the ages of 3 and 15, with a focus on hip hop, lyrical majorette and praise dance styles.

[Travis] Then we've got coming up, the 89th annual Dayton Labor Day Rodeo.

I grew up not too far from Dayton, Iowa.

The Dayton Rodeo, well known, and it runs September 4 through Monday, September 7.

Professional rodeo competitions, a parade, fireworks, carnival and live entertainment.

[Charity] This is the Litas, a global all female motorcycle group that welcomes women of all ages and riding skill levels.

They are making some noise.

[Travis] And they're off.

Grand View University.

Coming up folks from Grandview and including President Rochelle Keck, cheer and dance teams and national championship teams.

Grandview has had some success in their athletics department in recent years.

Men's soccer, football, and wrestling.

Those cheerleaders have been busy and.

They're going to have to keep building new trophy cases, probably.

[Charity] That's a.. Oh, here we go.

We've got the 2025 Men's soccer National Champion for their division.

That's great.

[Travis] Probably a little extra interest this year with the World Cup having been here, I know I watched a little more soccer this year than I probably would otherwise.

This is Sober Soldierz, a drug and alcohol recovery group.

They are not veterans.

Just to clarify.

[Charity] They're doing good work.

[Travis] They are.

Important to celebrate.

And they've got quite a group.

Several vehicles and.

Lots and lots of people.

[Charity] I think one of the true joys of going to the Iowa State Fair is buying food on a stick.

Or are you against that?

[Travis] Oh, no.

[Charity] Since you're n.. [Travis] I'm not against food on a stick.

[Charity] Okay, good.

[Travis] And I tell you what, I'm just n.. dogs.

I love cornbread, so if they would want to fry me up just some cornbread on a stick... [Charity] They might.

[Travis] Be all .. ahead of time, so maybe they couldn't make it.

[Travis] And I will eat a corn dog.

I'm not opposed to corn dog.

It's just when you're at the fair and you have all those options, it's not the first thing.

[Charity] Over 50 foods available on a stick.

So of course, pickles, pork chops, corn dogs, corn on the cob, cotton candy.

Does that count as a stick?

I guess it does.

Veggie dogs, turkey drumsticks.

Oh no, they're not on a stick.

They are the stick.

[Travis] They are the stick.

Well, th.. stick you can get from the Pork Producers.

It's just the bone.

[Charity] Right?

Fried pickles, hot bologna.

Where are they selling hot bologna?

All right.

Deep fried candy bars.

Deep fried hot dogs, chocolate covered cheesecakes, pineapples, corn brats, salads, and, of course, hard boiled eggs.

You get those free in the Agriculture Building.

You've got to stand in line for your free egg.

[Travis] And that line moves along.

[Charity] It doesn't take very long.

It does.

But then you go stand in line for the Butter Cow and that line is slower.

[Travis] You know what?

I never stand in line.

[Charity] I peek over people.

[Travis] Yeah, it's like I can see it.

[Charity] I can.

[Travis] See a few feet away.

[Charity] We're tall enough.

We can see.

(Laughter) It's hard.

You know, here's the thing.

I think p.. like to take pictures of the Butter Cow.

It's hard to take pictures of the Butter Cow with the window.

You get a lot of reflection.

I think you just you got to enjoy the moment.

[Travis] It is.

It is tricky.

[Charity] You know, the Butter Cow is so incredibly popular.

And back in 2018, I went around and I was asking people about what you have to see if it's your first time at the Iowa State Fair, what do you need to do?

Absolutely.

Every person I asked said the Butter Cow.

[Travis] It's one of those things that's just synonymous with the Iowa State Fair.

[Charity] Absolutely, absolutely.

And of course, the Pratt family.

Sarah Pratt is the official sculptor, but her kids are her apprentices.

They went out to Washington, D.C.

and carved a Butter Cow that has been on display for pretty much the last year.

That display at the Renwick Gallery in the American Smithsonian Museum that goes through September 7.

So pack up after the fair, get out to DC.

You can still see that Butter Cow.

And also they have Dr.

Rod Zietler has been probably the winningest competitor in the canning.

[Travis] You see his name everywhere, everywhere, everywhere.

[Charity] And he's got a bunch of canned goods on display out there.

Actually, his wife also, she's a weaver and, and a shoemaker.

She's got things out there.

There's just all kinds of incredible stuff that... I haven't been, I haven't been no, they're incredible people.

I haven't been to the display in DC.

I've just read a lot about it.

So I'm.

Yeah, experiencing.

[Travis] You know, we had Jeremy Parsons, the CEO manager of the fair on Iowa Press a month or two ago, and he told us he learned some things out there about, you know, the way they were doing some of the exhibits and the fancy lighting and everything.

So sort of hinted like maybe he's picked up a few tips from that exhibit out in DC and might be bringing a few ideas back of how maybe they can spruce things up and do some things a little bit different at the fairgrounds over the next few years.

[Charity] Nice.

[Travis] So stay tuned.

[Charity] We shall see.

[Travis] Charity, you were talking about corn dogs earlier.

Do you know how many corn dogs are sold at the Iowa State Fair?

[Charity] I don't know, it's got to be so many.

So it's a number I can't even imagine.

(Laughter) [Travis] It makes me want to own a corn dog stand.

(Laughter) [Charity] Yeah.

[Travis] 15.2 corn dogs every minute.

[Charity] Oh my goodness.

[Travis] While the fair is open.

That's a lot of .. have to get my calculator out and do the math there.

But 15.2 every minute.

And somebody's got to dip them and fry them.

[Charity] Banda Perla De Sur.

(Music) [Charity] Oh that's great.

I don't think it's velvet jacket weather, but they look good and they sound good.

So good for them.

[Travis] Yep.

I love it.

This is the Schmitz Family Collection.

Family collection of Farmall tractors.

The original Farmall debuting in 1924.

[Charity] Just to put in another Iowa PBS plug.

I recently watched Tractor Wars one and two.

[Travis] Yes.

[Charity] Fascinating.

Absolutely fascinati.. watch him on YouTube.

Fascinating.

You will learn so much.

[Travis] Yes, it's they're wonderful.

And a lot of people have been loving them.

[Charity] Yeah.

And there's going to be number three.

[Travis] More to come.

Yes.

In the works.

[Charity] Well, I'm, I'm going to just admit that I didn't expect to enjoy watching them as much as I did.

[Travis] Yeah.

I mean, I wouldn't consider myself a huge tracto.. [Charity] Now you are.

[Travis] It's, yeah, you don't have to be.

[Charity] No, you don't have to be.

But also, I mean, tractors are just so, so pivotal in history and our history impacted the tractor industry.

I mean, it's really interesting stuff.

[Travis] And let me tell you, any farmer or person, I guess it doesn't have to be a farmer who has an old tractor like that.

They are so proud of the tractor and protect it at all costs.

And it doesn't have to be a shiny, you know, fancy restored tractor by any means, but just the the significance of the history of them and what they what they do and what they've meant to the agriculture industry.

[Charity] Right.

[Travis] And all of our lives, whether you're a.. [Charity] Would you rather go to the fair on the first day or the last day?

[Travis] Oh.

I'm going to say th.. [Charity] Yeah.

Why?

[Travis] You get some di.. [Charity] Nice.

It's also a little less crowded on the last day.

[Travis] Yeah.

There are b.. [Charity] I am a first day person.

I always go on the first day I have for like the last 13, 14 years.

[Travis] A lot of things I would generally trend that way to go earlier rather than later.

But yeah, this if you go toward the end, then you can hear about it from people and know what's.

[Charity] Plus the llamas.

The llamas are there at the end.

Danza Folclórica Del Oeste.

A Des Moines based Ballet Folklorico dance group, traditional style of Mexican folk dance characterized by different footwork and skirt movements.

And look at those costumes.

Just beautiful.

Absolutely stunning.

[Travis] And the flowers in the hair.

[Charity] It's so fun.

They're obviously having a great time and keeping cultural heritage alive in such a beautiful and vibrant way.

I love that.

All right.

So as I'm doing, would you rather.

Would you rather come to the fair on a 95 degree heat day or a surprise rainstorm?

[Travis] Oh.

I'm gonna say the rainstorm.

[Charity] Me too.

[Travis] Based on what we were .. [Charity] 100%.

[Travis] Because on the 95 degree.. want to be in the air conditioned buildings anyway.

[Charity] Right?

Absolutely.

Plus, I mean, getting wet at the Iowa State Fair, there, the fountains, your children are going to get wet on the 95 degree day.

They're going to get wet in a rainstorm.

[Travis] I'm going to be wet.

[Charity] Right?

Absolutely.

Yes.

We'll be soaked with sweat.

No, I like I'd much prefer a rainstorm.

But you know what?

Come prepared.

Come prepared for rain.

[Travis] Bring all of that stuff.

Unless you're coming in for a grandstand show, then you can't have an umbrella.

[Charity] Right.

[Travis] But that's what you bring on t.. [Charity] An emergency poncho.

[Travis] And I saw a concert in the grandstand a few years ago where it was a downpour for much of the concert.

Everything was fine.

[Charity] The idea of what you bring to the fair.

That's always an interesting thing.

You see people with all sorts.

[Travis] Now you can bring in a cooler.

[Charity] Which is lovely.

I mean, I just I like being able to bring my own water, you know, water bottle.

[Travis] And when I was a kid, we would we would park in the main parking lot, but we would bring a cooler of sandwiches and we would go out to the parking lot at lunchtime and sort of tailgate.

And a lot of other families did that as well.

And then we'd go back into the fairgrounds for the afternoon.

Now, you don't have to do that.

If you, you know, if your budget's tight, but you still want to experience the fair or you just want to bring a couple drinks or a snack or something, you can do that.

[Charity] Free dental clinic on the Iowa S.. November 13 and 14.

That's a great thing to know about.

Bob Faust Flag Walkers.

[Travis] Public art project.

[Charity] Love that.

Also, you know, if you loved color guard in high school, you get to keep doing it.

I think that's great.

Or maybe you missed out on it.

This is your chance.

[Travis] That's right.

It's never too late.

[Charity] So I like to I like to have a backpack when I go to the fair.

I don't want to carry something in my hands all day.

And I know a lot of people pick up the bags in the varied industries building, and they will carry stuff all day long.

But those people are more patient and have a higher tolerance, I think, for that than I do.

[Travis] It's to each his own.

[Travis] Sometimes I see, you know, sometimes I see people with footwear at the fairgrounds that I also would not recommend.

[Charity] Right, right.

[Travis] But, you know, they want to look fashionable.. [Charity] Yes.

Well, you know.

[Travis] That's fine too.

[Charity] It's not even always such a fashion s.. a lot of flip flops at the fair, and I think I'm going to walk 18,000 steps today.

[Travis] It's the steps and also where those steps are.

You got to be careful, right?

[Charity] I love to hang out in the barns.

I'm not I.. to pretend otherwise.

And I like to have closed toe shoes.

[Charity] Have you ever competed in a contest at the State Fair?

You probably have for television.

[Travis] I have not officially competed myself in a contest.

I accompanied a contestant in the Bill Riley Talent Search one year.

I played the piano and they sang.

[Charity] Nice.

That's pretty high level.

[Travis] I unofficially.

So I'm a big fan of banana bread.

And I covered the banana bread competition in the food building, and I was curious how my banana bread would compare.

So I baked a loaf.

I didn't enter it in the competition, but I took it.

And after everything was done, I had the judges taste my banana bread.

[Charity] Do you think they were honest?

[Travis] I should have entered it in the .. might have been a little bit generous to me.

(Laughter) We'll never know.

But I'm claiming that I co.. have won a ribbon.

[Charity] Could enter next year.

[Travis] It's never too late, again.

Never too late.

[Charity] I've never — I've competed in a contest at a county fair, Johnson County Fair.

I entered the pie contest.

[Travis] Okay.

What kind of pie?

[Charity] I made cherry rhubarb.

[Travis] Oh, okay.

We'll talk more about that.

[Charity] Yeah.

Okay.

[Travis] There's plenty to see at the Iowa State Fair this week, folks.

So we'll meet the characters behind the grills at the pork tent where the grill masters take their work very seriously.

And we'll meet the woman competing for the title of Cowgirl Queen, showcasing their horsemanship, confidence, and love of the Western lifestyle.

Those stories and more with thoughtful, in-depth coverage you expect.

Wednesday the 19 at 8 p.m.

Here on Iowa PBS.

[Charity] More great dancers going by.

So it wasn't it wasn't just the open pie contest.

[Travis] Oh, okay.

[Charity] It was a celebrity pie contest.

[Travis] Oh.

[Charity] Celebrity .. we use loosely in Johnson County.

[Travis] Well, I was going to raise issue with the cherry rhubarb pie.

[Charity] Why?

What's wrong with you?

[Travis] I love rhubarb, but I am a purist.

I love just plain rhubarb.

[Charity] Well, I love jus.. [Travis] That is not to say I would not gladly eat a piece of cherry rhubarb.

So you can bring me a pie anytime.

[Charity] I won that pie competition, Travis.

Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek said it was the best pie.

I still have a tiny trophy.

[Travis] You learned a few th.. [Charity] I did, I did from Beth Howard, the pie lady who used to live in the American Gothic house.

She taught me how to make pie crust, and I use her method every single time.

[Travis] Za-Ga-Zig Shrine.

They do all sorts of fun stuff with parades, and they go all around.

[Charity] Is this the first time I've seen the Shriners with a tractor too.

[Travis] That's a good question.

[Charity] That feels like a combo.

[Travis] Doing figure eights in that Formal.

[Charity] I think that would be tough.

I think that would be tough.

Not safe.

Safety fi.. [Travis] But yeah, they get their little motorized carts out and zip around all kinds of parade routes throughout the summer.

[Charity] What kind of training do you think you have to go through?

[Travis] Well.

[Charity] Lots of practice.

[Travis] I don't know how much practice is involved.

[Charity] They don't hit each other.

[Travis] It's important to pay attention and keep your eyes on the road.

[Charity] I don't thin.. [Travis] We've got more coming.

We've got the race cars.

[Charity] Oh, wow.

[Travis] The white little go karts coming behind the limousine.

[Charity] Preview for us.

There we go.

There they are.

[Travis] Oh.

I've done that on the ice before.

Not in the middle of Grand Avenue.

[Charity] I wouldn't recommend it on a normal day on Grand Avenue.

I don't think anybody wants that.

[Travis] Well, it's fun for the people watching, sitting along the parade route, but I'm guessing that these guys are having a little fun with themselves.

[Charity] Yeah.

Do you think they have to, like, enter a lottery to get to the.

The ones who drive.

Ma.. have to belong long enough.

I don't know.

[Travis] How many of them have kids who are like, "Dad, can I, can I drive the car?"

[Charity] And I don't know if the fezzes are protective.

They're not wearing helmets.

Maybe they're special helmets.

[Travis] The secret will never know.

[Charity] So many questions.

[Travis] The parade comes down Grand Avenue.

They sta.. the Capitol.

They come down Grand Avenue through downtown here.

We've got a nice spot here in front of the Iowa Genealogical Society.

As you can see them kind of coming down the hill, starting to come down the hill from the Capitol as they move on through downtown Des Moines.

And a good number of people out here kicking off the Iowa State Fair.

[Charity] Did you get to try the fair Foods ahead of time this year?

[Travis] I did not.

No.

Paul Yeager did.

[Charity] Okay.

Paul Yeager did.

Paul Yeager is the guy to ask.

[Travis] I just saw him walk by here a minute ago.

We should have snagged him.

[Charity] Shoot next time... Parm gnocchi.

That's gluten free potato gnocchi and graziano sausage.

Tossed in a house.

Made ani cream parmesan sauce with a pesto drizzle.

Shaved parmesan, fresh parsley and topped with an Americaa 250 year flag and a souvenir piggie hat.

(Laughter) You get a hat, too?

Okay, Destination Grill the other one of the other finalists.

Ultimate mini apple pie.

It's a deep fried apple pie served with vanilla and cinnamon ice cream, drizzled with homemade apple syrup.

[Travis] I'm not mad about that either.

[Charity] No, that sounds pretty good.

And then there's the All American scrambled egg roll wrapped in a signature crispy golden egg roll.

It's the ultimate American classic feast.

Thick cut, smoky bacon, savory sausage, hearty hash browns farm fresh fluffy scrambled eggs and melted cheddar cheese, all perfectly blended into one mouthwatering masterpiece.

Finished with a rich drizzle of homemade cheesy ranch.

[Travis] And that one is from women who have won the last couple of years.

[Charity] Okay, so you think there.

[Travis] I have a hunch that that's probably going to taste pretty good.

[Charity] Well, I think they all taste good.

I would go, I'd go for the mini apple pie.

But yeah, all of those a sweets person.

[Travis] All of those are good.

And there are dozens of new foods and drinks at the fair.

Those are the top three.

And you'll get a chance to vote on them.

So I mean, if you're going to go to the fair, I think it's your duty.

You have to have all three of them.

[Charity] It's your Civic duty for sure.

[Travis] You can accurately judge and vote accordingly.

[Charity] AT&CO Dance Studio.

So many dance groups in the parade.

A lot of energy.

[Travis] It's a good way to burn off some of that energy.

Get them out on the parade route.

[Charity] You want to go do some handsprings, Travis?

Are you feeling too energetic?

[Travis] I could not.

[Charity] Some aerial.

Oh my gosh, this is fun.

[Travis] Energy and attitude.

Love it.

Next up is the State Center Rose Festival, 2026 Rose Royalty.

2026 Rose Queen, the Rose Princess and Little Miss Rosebud.

State Center is the rose capital of Iowa.

It's on highway 30, east of Ames, kind of between Ames and Marshalltown.

[Charity] And the Lincoln Highway.

[Travis] Yep.

There's a festival for something or festival for everything, you know.

[Charity] I was waiting to see.. there's royalty for pretty much everything here.

[Travis] There is.

Yes.

Yeah.

We saw earlier, we saw a pancake queen even.

Yeah.

As we were talking canned goods.

[Charity] Miss Sky Glider queen went past.

[Travis] I guess it's if you have an appetite for pageants and who knows, maybe some of them might not even actually be a pageant for some of them in order to.

They probably have all kinds of different ways you can earn a crown.

[Charity] I want to say another thank you to the Iowa Genealogical Society for hosting us in their parking lot.

That's how we get these amazing views, provides us with a terrific vantage point from which to bring you the parade.

And they've got a lot going on.

You can check out their website at Iowa genealogy.org for their September class lineup, their fall conference in October is called Dead Men Do Tell Tales, and they are making plans for IGS and Iowa PBS workshops in 2027.

It is an election year, and as I mentioned, I figured we'd see a lot more politicians than usual.

And we have.

[Travis] We have indeed.

[Charity] More royalty.

[Travis] Yes.

[Charity] So this is Miss Planet USA 2026.

[Travis] It's a new one for me.

[Charity] Yeah, that seems like the biggest one.

[Travis] I don't know, Miss Universe.

[Charity] Miss universe is pretty big.

You're right.

Miss universe is not in this parade.

Miss Planet may be the biggest one we got.

[Travis] I think you're probably right about that.

Look a.. I love it, red, white and blue.

Just having fun.

[Charity] VW vans are just so cool.

[Travis] I think anyone who has an old VW is just having fun.

[Charity] I think that is true.

That is true.

We've got a whole bunch of well, maybe not a whole bunch.

We've got several classic VW vehicles, not as many as the jeeps, but still quite a few here.

[Travis] And the little, the bugs, the van.

[Charity] Well, this one, this blue one, we can just see part of it.

We saw it a moment ago.

It's like a bug dune buggy.

[Travis] Yeah.

[Charity] I think they.. having fun for sure.

I love the old bugs.

But it's the.. I just really like to have one of those.

I'm not an RV person, but I think that that would be the perfect compromise for me.

[Travis] Okay.

[Charity] Because camper van .. older, Travis.

I don't love sleeping on the ground.

I'm ready.

[Travis] Well, we us.. those big conversion vans and I thought it was so cool because the back bench would lay down, you know, it wasn't as cool as a VW van, though.

[Charity] No, but you were super cool.

[Travis] Well, thank you, Charity.

I'm glad somebody thought so.

Now, this one's a little souped up here.

[Charity] If you are out at the fairgrounds this year, please don't forget to come visit us.

We are in the Varied Industries building and our booth has a completely new design this year.

When you're there, you can sign up for the Iowa PBS newsletter that you're so excited or most excited about, or all of them.

That's another option, right?

Travis?

You don't have to choose correct.

Sign up for all the newsletters you can spin our prize wheel for a special Iowa PBS giveaway.

Kids can cast.

A voting station.

We will see you there.

It's always fun.

[Travis] Absolutely.

We mentioned earlier Charity, the earlier part of the parade, we saw the 2025 Iowa State Fair Queen Riah Schrage riding along in the parade, and we had a chance to catch up with her before the parade started.

[Charity] More VW, I think they they're matching the jeeps.

I would need to do a count, but I think there might be as many as the jeeps this year.

[Travis] I mean, we did have two different Jeep groups, but this is a long... [Charity] This is a long line of VWs .. colors and old ones and new ones.

[Charity] On vacation a few years ago, we accidentally wound up adjacent to an international dub fest, which VW vehicles from all over Europe were there.

There's a lot of enthusiasm.

[Travis] There you go, Charity.

There's your van.

[Charity] Yeah.

Oh my gosh, wouldn't that be great?

[Travis] Should we run out and ask him if it's for sale?

[Charity] I'll bet it is not.

The fact that it's still running means no, we're never selling this.

[Travis] Yeah, that one's in good shape.

[Charity] Yeah.

And they've got a beautiful golden retriever up front too.

All right, more dancers.

The Folklore Mexicano Stylo y Movimiento.

And we've got a luchadora mask on one of the people on the float.

That's fun.

(Music) All right, those little girls in those amazing dresses.

I love that.

(Music) [Travis] The Iowa honey Producers Association supporting beekeepers across the state through education advocacy, field days, fair promotions.

They've got a booth in the Ag Building at the fair.

Upstairs.

Offering honey lemonade, which is always a popular.

Very popular beverage choice.

They've even got the big smoker coming up here.

[Charity] All the bees in downtown Des Moines will be asleep.

You're feeling very sleepy now.

[Travis] That's all right.

Until we're done with the parade, then they can come.

[Charity] Out again... that.

Maybe the smoke will work on them too.

[Travis] Oh, I see a. There's another crown on that truck.

Charity.

All right.

Look at the little bee.

Now, that's the way to get around.

Get through the parade route right in on the front of a forklift.

[Charity] On a bee box.

[Travis] Have you done any beekeeping?

[Charity] My.

Yes, we have a little bit.

My husband is the beekeeper in the family.

We're out of the business at the moment.

Have you?

[Travis] I have not, I I'm a.. get that close.

[Charity] The proper equip.. [Travis] If I knew exactly what to do and what not to do, it would be just fine.

[Charity] Iowa's partner states.

Connecting Iowans to t.. celebrating Iowa's official relationships around the world through cultural displays.

[Travis] And again, we've seen quite a bit of it in this year's parade, but it's great that we have this long standing tradition of the Iowa State Fair that's part of all Iowans culture, but that through the fair, we can also celebrate a variety of cultures.

Everybody can share a little bit about their heritage and culture with everybody else.

[Charity] Yeah.

And of course, we have partner states throughout the world.

Some of our cities have sister cities throughout the world.

It's really cool to see those relationships.

[Travis] Always good to be building relationships and have those connections where we can learn from them and they can learn from us.

All right.

Some proud folks rolling on down Grand Avenue here.

The Central Iowa Tractor Club.

[Charity] Starting with the John Deere tractors, the green tractors in the lead here.

[Travis] Focused in on the job.

[Charity] Yep.

[Travis] Seeing a lot of green.

[Charity] There's orange behind.

I can see it coming.

We've mentioned of course you can enjoy the fair highlights on television, on YouTube, on the website, our Facebook page has a lot of things going on.

There are all kinds of ways that you can get involved with our Iowa State Fair coverage.

So follow on Facebook, on Instagram, and you'll be able to see what's happening around the fairgrounds, get glimpses of behind the scenes and extra fair fun.

And who knows, maybe you'll show up in this fair coverage.

[Travis] You never know.

[Charity] It's true.

[Travis] You might show up as well.

[Charity] I might, you might too, Travis.

(Laughter) I think we're kind of shoo ins, but I always love, I love getting to just those moments of serendipity when we're out covering the fair, the people that you meet who get to be a part of it, it's fun.

[Travis] Yeah.

[Charity] All right.

Farma.. [Travis] The Allis Chalmers.

That's what my grandpa had.

[Charity] Oh, yeah?

[Travis] Yeah.

Charity, there is no shortage of unusual competition at the Iowa State Fair.

We are going to meet a record holder in the Cow Chip Throwing Contest and see if this year's competitors can come close to her mark.

Then it's horsepower of a different kind as tractors pull for distance and bragging rights.

Don't miss these stories and more on Friday night state fair highlights program will be August 21 at 8 p.m.

Right here on statewide Iowa PBS.

Our own Paul Yeager, I believe, will be at the Cow Chip Throwing Competition.

[Charity] That's a pretty prime spot.

That's pretty special.

[Travis] Have you thrown a couch before?

[Charity] Have you?

No, I have not.

[Travis] As part of the competition, but I have done a story about it, and I was intrigued by the fact that it's sort of I likened it to people picking out fruit at the grocery store where you inspect the people who are really into it, know exactly what kind of chip they're looking for, the shape, the size.

Whether it's a little drier than maybe some of the others, and they're feeling around that bucket.

[Charity] Sounds great.

[Travis] Pick out their prime cow chip for a.

[Charity] Nice, nice.

[Travis] Blue ribbon.

[Charity] Well, there are experts in everything.

That's another thing that I love about the Iowa State Fair.

With all of those unusual contests.

You know, there are people who specialize.

[Travis] Oh, yeah.

W.. pick pretty much any contest at the fair that those sort of day of contests, not the food contest.

[Charity] But you've got a plan.

[Travis] And you show up and there are people there.. know, they have been planning for this contest and they've been preparing for it for months.

And then there are other people that just happen to be walking by and like, oh, my wife told me I needed to come over here and enter the competition.

[Charity] I think I can win the husband calling contest this year.

I think I can.

[Travis] I think you could.

[Charity] Oh yeah.

[Travis] Yeah.

Those calling cont.. [Charity] Oh, they're a lot of fun.

[Travis] Hog calling chicken calling the husband calling.

[Charity] I mean that's another you can go up to Pioneer Hall and spend all day.

If it's raining, just stay all day because there is stuff happening every 30 minutes.

There's going to be something different, something new, something fun.

But another one of my favorite spots, especially on a rainy day on the fairgrounds, is the State Fair Museum.

[Travis] That's right up there in that same area.. [Charity] Love the museum.

And they always change up the exhibits.

You're going to see different things, but it's the it's the locomotive crashes that just blow my mind.

Bringing in giant locomotives and smashing them into each other.

Wow.

[Travis] It's hard to imagine those sorts of things.

And the airplane through the the building.

It's hard to imagine that kind of stuff happening today.

[Charity] Yeah, yeah.

It was crazy that it happened then, but it's fun to see.

Have you been to the telephone Museum?

That's a little gem.

[Travis] No.

[Charity] Yeah, you got to try that one this year.

[Travis] Okay.

I'm going to put that on my lis.. whom I will see some telephones there.

[Charity] There are so many telephones there, you won't even believe your eyes, Travis.

Telephones of all vintages.

[Travis] Oh, that's a good thing to take some young kids to, because a lot of them have not seen what a traditional telephone looks like.

[Charity] It's true.

And I tell you what, when Gen Xers walk in there, they're like, "Oh, I had that one."

Or "Oh, my friend had that one."

"My friend had their own line in their bedroom," and "they had the hamburger phone," you know.

There's also the, the really old stuff like the switchboard and stuff like that too.

That was when I hadn't been to until maybe, maybe that was two years ago.

I went for the first time and I just walked past it over and over again and just hadn't gone inside.

Just goes to show you, you can go for years and years and years, and you're always going to find something.

[Travis]##I often think of, I'm sure there we've got some folks who are watching the parade right now in the campgrounds at the fairgrounds, but the folks who camp and you know, you're at the fair for all 11 days, you have to, I would imagine, see every inch of the fairgrounds.

And I'm sure people have their traditions of what they see on different days and different shows.

They want to go to.

[Charity] So earlier when we were hearing from the 2025 State Fair Queen, we were having a little bit of technical difficulties.

So we are going to give that another go and hear from Riah Schrage from Grundy Center in Grundy County.

[Paul Yeager] Riah Schrage was the 2025 State Fair Queen, and your reign is like.. Sum up this year for me.

What's it been like?

[Riah] Oh, it's just been an absolute blast.

I've had the time of my life.

It's definitely everyone always says it's once in a lifetime experience and I can testify that it's 100% true.

After an amazing week at last year's state fair actually traveled almost 13,000 miles around the state of Iowa, visiting 74 county fairs.

And I think I actually sang the national anthem about 30 times.

So very patriotic for the 250th this year.

But it's been an absolute blast.

I've loved every second of it.

[Paul] And you were .. and now you're getting ready to go to college.

What's the one piece of advice to those young women that are getting ready to take your place?

What's your piece for them?

[Riah] Oh yes, for sure.

All of those girls, I've gotten to meet them today and hang out with them at the Queen's Week, and they are all so deserving and amazing and I'm so excited I get to be a part of their week and for the next State Fair queen.

I'm so excited for her to just have that similar experience.

And my advice, I guess, would be to just soak it all in and enjoy it all as much as you can, because it goes so fast.

[Paul] You have to pick one event.

What was your favorite event as Queen at the State Fair last year?

[Riah] Oh, at the State Fair, I would probably say getting to see all the new foods.

I'm a foodie myself.

And so we did that whole big walk around.

I don't know if you're familiar with that, but it's a whole lot of fun and getting to award the new foods.

It's truly special.

It changes their life.

So that's been my favorite thing for sure.

[Travis] Riah Schrage.

And as Paul mentioned, just a couple more days of her reign before we crown a new queen and a reminder, we will have the queen coronation for you live right here on Iowa PBS Saturday night at seven.

So tune in and see which one of the 104 queens will be doing all those fun things that you got to do the last year or so.

I can't even imagine experiencing the fair through the state fair queen.

[Charity] Well.

The Iowans are kind of royalty.

So that's always fun to see them driving, driving around.

Of course, doing all of their special things and they're Iowans who are chosen from around the state, nominated by people in their community for some sort of special accomplishment or investment in their community.

And then they get to be Iowans of the day.

It's pretty fun to see.

[Travis] The Challenger Cruise Club cruise for a cause.

They help raise money for children's foundations like Saint Baldrick's and the Cancer Warrior Truck, so they're having fun driving their cars, and they're doing good work as well.

[Charity] Travis, do you prefer to go to the fair early to be one of the first people there in the morning, or do you like to stay late?

[Travis] Now?

I am a late person, and I think that's partly because it slows down a little bit later in the day.

A lot more people start right off in the morning and it's busier through that first part of the day.

And then late afternoon, you know, it kind of depends on if you're making one trip to the fair or multiple trips and I'm out there a lot, but if I go out there on my own outside of work, I kind of like to go late afternoon and evening.

It's also a little bit cooler.

Generally.

[Charity] That's true, that's true.

I like to go early, but then I, I sort of leave mid-afternoon.

[Travis] It is definitely it's you will see different crowds.

Yeah.

I mean you can tell these folks are early fair goers and these folks are the night crowd.

[Charity] Right.

And then there are the people who are going to put in 12 hours.

[Travis] Oh yeah.

[Charity] And I have a great deal of respect for them, but I could not be them.

Maybe at one point in my life I could have, but I don't.

[Travis] But Charity, there's so much to see and do.

[Charity] I would rather go twice than try to do it all in one day.

[Travis] It makes fo.. [Charity] Well and you know.

Oh I mean for some people I know it's just it's really fun the whole time for me, once I start to get tired, then I'm like, is am I turning this into a chore?

I think I need to go home and come back again.

[Travis] Well, at Iowa PBS, we don't just show you the fair, we take you there from the unmistakable sounds of the Hog Calling Contest that we mentioned a little while ago, where competitors call their best and loudest to the determination and skill on display at the adaptive sports competitions.

Our Iowa PBS cameras are right in the middle of it all.

Don't miss these stories and more on Saturday night's state fair highlights program.

That's a week from this Saturday, August 22 at 8 p.m.

Only on statewide Iowa PBS.

[Charity] And again, we are doing coverage an hour earlier this year.

So if you are an early to bed person like I am, 8:00 or 9:00.

[Travis] You can see it at 9:00 and then we'll be showing all of them again on the final Sunday of the fair.

So you can do your marathon binge watching.

Of all of our state fair highlights shows on that final Sunday the 23rd.

[Charity] Well, and of course, iowapbs.org YouTube.

You can catch up if you're not available to watch in the evening hours.

[Travis] You've got the Loco Dreamerz Car Club right now.

This is a Des Moines based car club that features low riders, imports, domestics, classic bikes, big rigs and lifted trucks.

And when they say low riders, they mean low riders.

Look.. this one.

That's.

Is that even off the street?

Just barely.

[Charity] I think we'd see sparks if it were not.

It's fun to watch him dance when they really get going.

That's pretty amazing.

[Travis] They've got more boun.. And again, a little#old, a little new.

[Charity] Yeah.

[Travis] A mix of everything.

[Charity] The shadows ar.. And when it gets darker, we'll really see the lights on these vehicles.

They're all lit up.

My goodness, that's incredibly low to the road.

There better not be.

[Travis] Oh, here we go.

We've got some bouncing going on now.

I don'.. [Charity] We caught up with the grand marshals earlier today.

So let's hear from them.

[Paul] Russ and Terry Slight are the grand marshals in the parade.

And they've had a busy 40 years working at the Iowa State Fair.

They're grand marshals.

So, Terry, the big job has been in the grandstand with security.

What's that family like there at the grandstand?

[Terry] You mean our family of grandstand people?

[Paul] Yeah.

[Terry] Oh, the best we've we've had some people that have come back and worked with us for so many years.

And it's like having a family reunion every year.

[Paul] But Russ, you got to do work on occasion.

Does everybody get the job done if everybody's getting along?

[Russ] Yes.

I mean, the job does get done and it's again, we've talked a lot about this and the family reunion type thing, but everybody gets harnessed up and move in the same direction.

Yeah.

[Paul] What's it mean to be grand marshal?

The parade?

[Terry] Oh, it's a very big honor.

We're so.

Yes, we're very blessed.

We're very happy.

[Paul] When they told you that you were going to be the grand marshal, did you think it was for real there, Terry, or for Rich?

[Russ] Yeah, it was, it was a shock.

And I'm still not comfortable with it.

I'm way out of my comfort zone right now, so.

[Paul] Smile and wave... [Russ] Yeah, exactly.

[Terry] That's what we've been told.

So w.. [Charity] Way out of his comfort zone.

I love that.

That's so cool.

[Travis] They'll be in their comfort zone starting tomorrow at the fair.

I bet.

[Charity] Well, and after putting in so many years of work, maybe it's nice to just enjoy the fair instead of being responsible for security.

That sounds like a big responsibility.

[Travis] You got another car club.

All kind of running together.

But this is the Public Disturbance Car Club.

For a variety of car enthusiasts.

And there are various ways to get to the fair, Charity.

You could take one of these classic cars or souped up cars.

You can ride the free state fair shuttle.

You can.

I talked earlier about the bike.

You can take your bike and park it for free at the park.

Bike check in inside the gates at the fairgrounds.

[Charity] Yeah, I like to park at the Capitol.

[Travis] The shuttle is a pretty good way to get there and back.

[Charity] I don't want to mess with the parking lot, but you know what?

The times that I have parked on the fairgrounds, it's been managed extremely well.

I just, I just rather park easily and ride the bus.

[Travis] Well.

And you get dropped off right at the gate.

[Charity] So super convenient.

And the shuttles come so often.

I don't I've never had that sensation of oh I'm waiting forever.

(Music) [Charity] More royalty here.

Look at that skirt.

[Travis] Does anybody at the grandstand this year, Charity, that you wish you could have seen or that you are seeing.

I shouldn't assume that you're not going to.

[Charity] Well, I've already told you that I want to go early in the morning, and I don't ever want to stay late anywhere.

So no, I'm not, I'm not.

Although every year I'm like, oh, should I?

How about you?

[Travis] You know, I have to admit there are several grandstand acts I don't even know who they are.

But that's speaking more about my age and my lack of pop culture knowledge than anything else.

You know, Alabama is at the fair this year, and they've been there many times before, and I have never seen them.

But I grew up on country music.

I would go see Alabama.

[Charity] Yeah, yeah.

It's you.. great acts over the years.

And I, I always talk myself out of buying tickets and going.

And then listen to stories of some of the legendary acts that have been there.

And then I kind of kick myself.

[Travis] I've seen some great shows at the fair... what the record crowd for a grandstand performance is?

Who has the record crowd?

[Charity] Was it Johnny Cash?

[Travis] No, but close.

[Charity] Okay.

[Travis] Johnny Cash is in the.. [Charity] All right.

[Travis] Sonny and Cher.

[Charity] Sonny and Cher.

[Travis] In 1972.

[Charity] Nice.

[Travis] Now, 26,200 people in two shows.

[Charity] Okay.

[Travis] But a few years later, the .. that 25,400 in 1 show.

So, you know, depending on how you slice and dice.

[Charity] Oh my good.. [Travis] And then Johnny Cash.. four, and Oak Ridge Boys number five, the most recent in that list is 1982.

[Charity] All right.

Chicago, 1974.

That was really when they were at their pinnacle or close.

[Travis] See, back in the day, you could have.

[Charity] I couldn't have you couldn't have either, Travis.

(Laughter) [Charity] Was born in 75.

[Travis] And even if I was around then, I probably wouldn't have been dragged to concerts at the Iowa State Fair.

[Charity] Right.

[Travis] But there's so much free stuff you can get at the fairgrounds if you're, you know, and during the day.

So Charity, if you don't want to stick around at night.

[Charity] That's the best dancing traffic cone I've ever seen, Travis.

Ever.

[Travis] Yeah, I shouldn't be.

I should not be talking.

I should let the people just enjoy the wonder of the dancing traffic cone.

[Charity] But it's true.

There are so many great performances that you can see that are not part of the grandstand.

[Travis] Some of them at night.

Yeah.

And there's entertainment during the day as well.

Lots of free things to do at the fair.

Not everything has to.

You don't have to go eat all the food, ride all the rides.

And you know, that's great.

A lot of people love doing that.

And I encourage everybody to have fun however, they want to have fun, but you can do it on a budget.

[Charity] You can, you mostly blow it.

[Travis] It's not to say you're not going to be tempted when you take in your cooler with your cold meat sandwich, that you're going to want to also have that the farm gnocchi or whatever.

[Charity] Right, right.

Exactly.

And I always tell myself, I'm going to let myself have one treat.

When I'm at the fair on a given day.

I mean, not one treat per day though, don't get me wrong.

But I, I often then see another thing that I just have to try, and then you think, well, it's only once a year, what are you gonna do?

[Travis] I think they say something, you know, calories don't count at the Iowa State Fair, right?

[Charity] I've heard people say it.

I have heard that.

But again, you're going to get in 15,000, 20,000 steps.

[Travis] Yes.

[Charity] Now this, my favorite thing, is .. end of the parade because we get to see horses.

And this is fun, the Iowa Chuckwagon from Gates A Bicentennial tribute.

[Travis] They keep the horses at the end of the parade for good reason.

[Charity] So was that made for th.. it back out because now we're doing 250?

[Travis] I don't know.

I think that.. So it looks like it could have.

[Charity] Yeah, well, it say.. [Travis] A lot of people — I said a lot of people watching, I'm sure, remember the celebration.

[Charity] Already, yeah, I was already thinking it's not the bicentennial.

I've said the wrong thing.

And I just say America 250 because I can't say the thing that— [Travis] The semicesquicentennial.

[Charity] That one.

Oh, you're such a show-off.

[Travis] Well, but yes, I don't think that counts.

[Charity] Your ability to say that — was that in your bio in the newsletter this morning?

[Travis] I practiced.

[Charity] Well, you did a really good job.

I have clearly not practiced.

And now, Escaramuza Flor de Alcatraz.

I love these groups.

[Travis] So we have a few or 6 that bring up the rear.

[Charity] They're, they're in the back for good reason, but they're, they're the best part of their parade.

I'm just gonna say it.

Love it.

[Travis] They're talented.

And the Escaramuza teams, along with their male counterparts, the charros, are performing performing at the fair.

You can catch coverage of that event on Iowa PBS on Tuesday night as far as our— as part of our fair highlights show for that evening.

And again, just a great example of sharing their culture and traditions with all of us.

[Charity] Look at this horse.

My goodness, it's incredible.

Think of all the practice and training that goes into that.

[Travis] You could do that, right, Charity?

[Charity] No.

[Travis] Lasso?

[Charity] Nope.

Mayb.. [Travis] I bet they could teach you.

[Charity] Right, after I learn to be a woodwork.. learn to lasso.

I'll just add that to my list.

[Travis] And before the parade started, our Paul Yeager— we've seen him a couple times now.

He was up by the Capitol at the beginning of the parade route, and he caught up with the fair's marketing director, Mindy Williamson.

for a little preview of the State Fair.

[Paul] Mindy Williamson is the Chief Marketing Officer at the Iowa State Fair.

Mindy, big year, 250.

Is that the biggest of the headlines for this year?

[Mindy] It's probably the fair on top of the fair for this year.

We honestly have so many added elements to pretty much everything we've done, and we have turned every competition into a red, white, and blue extra competition.

And then we have so much more art, So much more display area that you can check out, and it's a super nice tribute to America's 250th birthday.

[Paul] Subtle, or is it going to be we cannot miss this celebration?

[Mindy] I think wherever you look, you will see flags, bunting, contests.

Uh, you cannot come on the fairgrounds without seeing America 250.

[Paul] All right, when we're on the grounds, uh, We're gonna see some traditional favorites.

What's one of those favorites that you look forward to every year?

[Mindy] I absolutely love that national anthem that we sing every day.

The fairgrounds freeze.

It's a brief moment to pay respect.

Oh my goodness.

And we have some veterans who are singing that this year because of America's 250.

That's one of my favorite things.

You know, the fair started because of livestock competition.

You will see that ramped up this year.

So it's hard to pick one thing that might be my favorite.

[Paul] And even the food has a 250 feel to it.

[Mindy] Absolutely.

You can turn food red, white, and blue, it turns out.

You can fry it, you can put it on a stick, and our concessionaires have done all of the above.

[Charity] I love Paul's question, will it be subtle?

The state fair?

[Travis] I don't t.. [Charity] Subtlety is not a thing.

[Travis] Yeah, we've talked a lot about food, and that's not subtle either.

It's sort of like, how ridiculous, how over the top can you make something to take off at the Iowa State Fair?

[Charity] These intricate co.. mentioned, a lot of Escaramuza groups here at the end of the fair.

[Travis] Escaramuza groups.. parade.

We got some talent with the rope.

[Charity] Incredible talent.

[Travis] Beautiful horses.

Wonderful costumes.

[Charity] And some high-energy music to wind things up here as well.

Some great horns.

[Travis] A lovely way to celebrate the end of the Iowa State Fair Parade and celebrate the upcoming Iowa State Fair.

And we've got you all covered here on Iowa PBS.

The queen contest on Saturday.

We've got the talent show championships the last Sunday of the fair.

And in between it all, 6 shows of highlights starting Monday night at 8:00 here on Iowa PBS.

[Charity] Thank you so much for joining us for this kickoff, and we will see you at the fair.

[Travis] I will see you there, and we'll see you there.

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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.

Welcome to Iowa, where you can explore parks, wander countless trails, and experience history, culture, and art.

Travel Iowa.

At Iowa Corn we know that corn is more than just a crop.

It fuels our cars, feeds our livestock, and is in over 4,000 products on your grocery store shelves.

Iowa doesn't just grow corn.

Corn grows Iowa.

Learn more at IowaCorn.org.

Banking in Iowa goes beyond transactions.

Banks work to help people and small businesses succeed, and Iowa Banks are committed to building confident banking relationships.

Iowa Banks your partner through it all.