2023 Iowa State Fair Coverage on Iowa PBS
August means it’s time for the Iowa State Fair, and for fair coverage on Iowa PBS. This year’s programming begins August 9 with a live broadcast of the 2023 Iowa State Fair Parade, continues August 14-19 with Fair 2023 and wraps up on August 20 with State Fair Talent Championship 2023. The network will also offer online coverage of the 2023 State Fair Queen Coronation on August 12.
The 2023 Iowa State Fair Parade will be broadcast statewide and livestreamed on Facebook, YouTube and iowapbs.org on Wednesday, August 9 at 6:15 p.m. With high school marching bands, floats, cool cars, special causes and more, Iowa’s largest parade is full of memorable moments.
Iowa PBS will offer a livestream of the 2023 Iowa State Fair Queen Coronation on Facebook, YouTube and iowapbs.org. Coverage of the event will be available online only on Saturday, August 12 beginning at 7 p.m. This annual fair tradition brings together county fair queens from across the state who showcase the very best in personality, leadership, citizenship and involvement in their local communities.
Nightly highlights of Fair 2023 begin airing on Monday, August 14 and continue through Saturday, August 19 at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., and will include more than 65 segments from around the fairgrounds. Featuring contests, unique stories, food, animals, music and more, these hour-long programs are among the network’s most-watched of the year. All six episodes will be rebroadcast back-to-back on Sunday, August 20 beginning at 2 p.m.
Following the Sunday marathon, coverage of the finals of the State Fair Talent Championship 2023 will air Sunday, August 20 at 8 p.m. The annual competition showcases some of the amazing talents of Iowa’s youth.
Below is a list of topics scheduled for each Fair 2023 episode. Please note, topics are subject to change. Visit iowapbs.org/fair for the latest updates.
Monday, August 14 at 9 & 10 p.m. (Also airs Sunday, August 20 at 2 p.m.)
- State Fair Parade
- New Fair Foods
- Fair Prep — FFA Cattle and Sheep
- 4-H Horses
- Midway History
- Media Room
- Heroes’ Day
- Sheep Shearing
- Bacon Buddies
- Plein Air Painting
- Night at the Museum
Tuesday, August 15 at 9 & 10 p.m. (Also airs Sunday, August 20 at 3 p.m.)
- State Fair Queen Coronation
- iFlip
- Fair Prep — New CEO
- Food Judging — Pickles
- Big Animals
- FFA Breeding Sheep
- FFA Ag Mechanics and Tech Show
- Floriculture Show
- Post-War Fair History
- Little Hands on the Farm
- Blake Guyre Concert, Part 1
Wednesday, August 16 at 9 & 10 p.m. (Also airs Sunday, August 20 at 4 p.m.)
- Kids Chef Baking Championship
- Monster Arm Wrestling
- Fair Prep — Pork Tent
- RoboCars
- Butter Cow History
- Butter Cow
- Bonsai Show
- Banjo, Guitar and Mandolin Contests
- Fair Murals
- Photography Salon
- FFA Parade of Champions
- Son Peruchos Concert, Part 1
Thursday, August 17 at 9 & 10 p.m. (Also airs Sunday, August 20 at 5 p.m.)
- Sling Shot
- Fair Prep — Cowgirl Queen
- 4-H Market Swine
- Ugliest Cake Competition
- Governor’s Charity Steer Show
- Fair Queen Interview
- Fabric and Threads Competition
- Fair History — Kenneth Fulk
- Wood Turning
- Sewing Classes
- Timber Sports
- Fireworks
- Blake Guyre Concert, Part 2
Friday, August 18 at 9 & 10 p.m. (Also airs Sunday, August 20 at 6 p.m.)
- Veterans Parade
- Fair Prep — Food Contests
- Cookout Contest
- 4-H Steer
- Chess Tournament
- Rubber Chicken Throwing
- Horseshoes
- Fair Architecture History
- Silent Movie
- Horses — Belgians and Shires
- Beard Growing Contest
- Son Peruchos Concert, Part 2
Saturday, August 19 at 9 & 10 p.m. (Also airs Sunday, August 20 at 7 p.m.)
- Fair Prep — 4-H Leadership
- Scavenger Hunt
- Art Salon History
- Music of Pioneer Hall
- Food Judging — Cookies
- Barrel o’ Fun
- Tractor Pull
- Fair Prep — Gardener
- Pie Eating Contest
- Fair at Night
- 4-H and FFA Sale of Champions
Visit iowapbs.org/fair for more Fair 2023 activities and additional broadcast times. Follow Iowa PBS across social media for daily questions, quizzes and a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes action. Join in on the daily coverage by sharing your favorite fair photos using #IowaPBSFair.
Support for Fair 2023 on Iowa PBS is provided by EMC Insurance and the Iowa Pork Producers.
In addition to its statewide broadcast, Iowa PBS .1 is available to livestream on iowapbs.org/watch, pbs.org/livestream, the PBS App and YouTube TV. Iowa PBS programs, behind-the-scenes extras and more can be enjoyed on iowapbs.org, Facebook and YouTube. Viewers can also stream their favorite shows on demand using the PBS App, available on iOS, Android and many streaming devices.