Find Phenomena at the Fair with Iowa PBS
Blue bag with logo and other brightly colored square images

Visitors to Iowa PBS’s State Fair exhibit will marvel at a geode the size of a basketball, prairie grass root systems taller than a basketball player and Iowa mussels that help keep our waterways clean. Come visit Iowa PBS in the Varied Industries Building to see these and other “phenomenal” science displays, pick up some great giveaways and have fun for the whole family. 

This year, fans can take a walk through the expansive exhibit space to discover and marvel at the Iowa Science Phenomena project. Iowa PBS Education staff and local Iowa educators will be on-site each morning of the fair to show curious kids the many different ways science can be a phenomenal thing! In addition, all fairgoers will get a sneak peek at what’s coming soon to Iowa PBS and have the opportunity to take selfies with life-size standees. Visitors are also welcome to take home one of our Iowa PBS fold away carry-alls and a magnifying bookmark.

New this year, join Iowa PBS in person Saturday, August 14 at 12:30 p.m. in the Elwell Family Food Center to determine the Great Iowan Recipe from a selection of Iowans who have submitted recipes relevant to their family, heritage or legacy. Judges for this special competition will include Proof Executive Chef Diego Rodriguez Negrette, Mama Laura’s Meals owner Laura Rodriguez and Trellis Café owner Lisa LaValle. 

Iowa PBS will continue its 50-year-old tradition of bringing state fair highlights to Iowans everywhere. This year’s programming begins Wednesday, August 10 at 6:15 p.m. with a live broadcast of the 2022 Iowa State Fair Parade and includes the 2022 Iowa State Fair Queen Coronation, livestreamed on YouTube, Facebook and iowapbs.org Saturday, August 13 at 7 p.m. and broadcast on statewide Iowa PBS Sunday, August 14 at 6:30 p.m. Coverage continues nightly at 9 p.m. August 15-20 with Fair 2022 and concludes Sunday, August 21 at 6:30 p.m. with the State Fair Talent Championship 2022. Follow Iowa PBS across social media for daily questions, quizzes and a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes action.

Visit iowapbs.org/fair to check out all the State Fair fun Iowa PBS has to offer. 

Support for Fair 2022 is provided by EMC Insurance and the Iowa Pork Producers Association.