Iowa State Fair Recap Photo Gallery

photos by Bryon Houlgrave, Emily Peterson and Caryline Clark

We're headed into the final weekend of the Iowa State Fair - it's hard to believe it's gone this fast! Before we dive into more Fair coverage this weekend we wanted to take a look at our favorite photos we've taken so far, plus bring together our photo collection into a giant Fair recap.

Favorite Fair Moments Captured

Dark clouds build over the midway during the Iowa State Fair on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023.

Dark clouds build over the midway during the Iowa State Fair on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023

 

Members of The Red Trouser Show perform a juggling act as the Sly Glider makes its way over the grounds

Members of The Red Trouser Show perform a juggling act as the Sly Glider makes its way over the fairgrounds.

 

Young fairgoers ride on a dragon roller coaster in Thrilltown

Young fairgoers ride on a dragon roller coaster in Thrilltown at the Iowa State Fair.

 

Justin Robbins of Scranton drives his truck into the show arena to show off Tug Boat, a 2,762-pound Angus bull, during the Super Bull Contest

Justin Robbins of Scranton drives his truck into the show arena to show off Tug Boat, a 2,762-pound Angus bull, during the Super Bull Contest.

 

Participants competed in the Cowboy Mounted Shooting event on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023

Participants competed in the Cowboy Mounted Shooting event on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.

 

Members of the iFlip acrobatics group perform at the Iowa State Fair.

Members of the iFlip acrobatics group perform at the Iowa State Fair.

 

A young fairgoer poses for a photo with a cutout of a pig in the Swine Barn

A young fairgoer poses for a photo with a cutout of a pig in the Swine Barn.

 

Fairgoers enjoy some early morning peace and quiet before the crowds take over the Iowa State Fair.

Fairgoers enjoy some early morning peace and quiet before the crowds take over the Iowa State Fair.

 

The thunderous sound of modified tractors and trucks filled the fairgrounds during the Truck and Tractor Pull at the Iowa State Fair

The thunderous sound of modified tractors and trucks filled the fairgrounds during the Truck and Tractor Pull at the Iowa State Fair.

 

The iconic Big Slide at the Iowa State Fair at night.

The iconic Big Slide at the Iowa State Fair at night. 

 

Complete Iowa State Fair Photo Gallery

robocars

fairgoers posing with robocars

The RoboCars strolled around the fairgrounds to pose for pictures with fairgoers. 

 

man holding stuffed animal

A fairgoer looks over a giant stuffed dragon at the Iowa State Fair.

 

big wheel races

kids showing off ribbons from the big wheel race

big wheel races

Drivers speed to the finish line during the Big Wheel races on the Iowa State Fair Grand Concourse. 

 

Iowa State Fair queen handing out an award to two kids

Iowa State Fair Queen Kalayna Durr presents a Way We Live plaque to the Slinger family at the Iowa State Fair.

 

scavenger hunt participants

scavenger hunt participants

The Iowa State Fair scavenger hunt. Top photo, a scavenger hunt team maps out their course of action. Bottom photo, contestants quickly scramble away from the staging area to race around the Iowa State fairgrounds.

 

girl at the Iowa State Fair balancing a ball in her hands

A fairgoer takes a shot at a basketball hoop on the Grand Concourse.

 

judges at the animal face cake contest

fox face cake at the animal face cake contest at the Iowa State Fair

Animal face cake judging at the Elwell Family Food Center. Top photo, a judge looks over the cake decorated like an axolotl during the animal face cake judging. Bottom photo, a fox cake submission. 

 

Members of The Feel Right Band perform at the Iowa State Fair

Members of The Feel Right Band perform at the Iowa State Fair

Members of The Feel Right Band perform at the Iowa State Fair.

 

A shady spot at the Iowa State Fair

A little shade and a splash of water to keep cool on a hot day at the Fair.

 

Looking at the butter cow exhibit

Fairgoers looking at the butter cow display featuring famous Iowa athletes. 

 

hard boiled egg with a dash of salt provided in the Agriculture Building

Handing out hard-boiled eggs in the Agriculture Building. 

 

red trouser show performing

Members of The Red Trouser Show perform a juggling act as the Sly Glider makes its way over the grounds.

 

vegetables on a table for judging

close up of a root vegetable being judged

Produce aplenty at the Iowa State Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 16.

 

Gladiolos judging in the agriculture building

Gladiolus judging in the Agriculture Building showcases Iowans' green thumbs. 

 

cookies from the cookie judging contest

cookies from the cookie judging contest

Cookie judging at the Elwell Food Center showcases delightful cookie decorating. 

 

4H Steer judging participant

4H steer participants preparing their steer for the judging

4H Steer judging participant

The 4H Steer Show featured young participants vying for their steer to be named Grand Champion.

 

cow chip participant mid throw

cow chip participant in a cow print outfit mid throw

Cow chip throwing participants worked on their form outside Pioneer Hall. 

 

rubber chicken throwing participant mid throw

rubber chicken throwing participant investigating their chicken

rubber chicken throwing participant mid throw

Rubber chicken throwing contestants sought maximum distance in one the Fair's iconic contests. 

 

Wednesday, Aug. 16 Iowa State Fair crowd

Wednesday's crowd made the Grand Concourse a sea of people. 

 

truck and tractor pull

tractor pull at the Iowa State Fair

truck and tractor pull

The thunderous sound of modified tractors and trucks filled the fairgrounds during the Truck and Tractor Pull at the Iowa State Fair on Tuesday.

 

gingerbread house on display with a pink roof

gray, spooky gingerbread house

Creative gingerbread houses are on display at the Elwell Family Food Center at the fairgrounds. 

 

4H Swine judging

4H Swine judging

4H Swine judging

Tuesday morning started off with 4H Swine judging in the swine barn.

 

Enjoying the skyglider on a beautiful day at the Iowa State Fair

Enjoying the skyglider at the Iowa State Fair

Enjoying the ride - it was a beautiful day to take to the sky and enjoy the skyglider. 

 

Accordion contest at Pioneer Hall

harmonica participant at the Iowa State Fair in Pioneer Hall

Pioneer Hall was filled with music today with accordion and harmonica contests. 

 

Fair lego display

Iowa State Capitol Building in Lego form at the Iowa State Fair

The Cultural Center second floor has many Lego exhibits on display, including many that recreate iconic Iowa locations like the Iowa State Fair Capitol.

 

Parade participant on horseback at the veterans parade

Band performing in the Iowa State Fair veterans parade

Float in the Iowa State Fair Veterans Parade

The Veterans Parade is a time-honored tradition at the Iowa State Fair. 

 

mini tractor pull participant

mini tractor pull participant

Participants in the mini tractor pull on Sunday might have tiny tractors but they brought plenty of action - and noise!

 

A young fairgoer gets a chance to milk a dairy cow during the Iowa State Fair.

A young fairgoer gets a chance to milk a dairy cow during the Iowa State Fair.

 

mini horse yoga participants

Mini horse yoga participants

Mini horse at yoga at the Iowa State Fair

The Iowa State Fair offered mini horse yoga for the first time in 2023, adding to their other animal yoga offerings like goat yoga.

 

Night time at the Big Slide at the Iowa State Fair

Night time at the Big Slide at the Iowa State Fair. 

 

Intense participants at the monster arm wrestling contest

Monster arm wrestling contest

Monster arm wrestling participants showed off their guns - and their grit - over several hours of competition on Sunday.

 

Fairgoers enjoying a ride on the skyglider.

Fairgoers enjoying a ride on the skyglider.

 

Grandpa's Leftover's Pie submission by Joyce Larson

Scalloped Chicken by Sharon Leasan

Cinnamon Bread submission by Sarah Olson

The top three dishes from the Great Iowan Recipe Contest, sponsored by Iowa PBS and in honor of season two of The Great American Recipe on-air program. Photos from the top: Grandpa's Leftover's Pie, submitted by Joyce Larson, won first place; Scalloped Chicken, submitted by Sharon Leasan, won second place; and Cinnamon Bread,  submitted by Sarah Olson, won third place.

 

Henry County Fair Queen Kalayna Durr was crowned the Iowa State Fair Queen on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023.

Henry County Fair Queen Kalayna Durr was crowned the Iowa State Fair Queen on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023.

Henry County Fair Queen Kalayna Durr was crowned the Iowa State Fair Queen on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023.

 

Mr. Legs contestant showing off his shapely gams.

A Mr. Legs contestant showed off his shapely gams.

 

Parade of Champions FFA participant

participants in the FFA Parade of Champions

Participants circle the ring in the FFA Parade of Champions.

 

Bacon buddies participant

Bacon buddies pig

The Bacon Buddies program returned to the Iowa State Fair for the fourth year, giving individuals with disabilities the opportunity to show a pig in the ring. 

 

Governor Kim Reynolds participating in the Governor's Charity Steer Show

Participant in the Governor's Charity Steer Show

The Governor's Charity Steer Show raised funds for the Ronald McDonald House the first Saturday of the Iowa State Fair.

 

Bandaloni at the Iowa State Fair

The Bandaloni performs at the Iowa State Fair for his small fans.

 

Des Moines Breakerz performer on stage

Des Moines Breakerz performer on stage

Des Moines Breakerz performer on stage

Des Moines Breakerz hit the MidAmerican Energy Stage to show off their moves. 

 

sheep waiting in a pen to be used in the sheep shearing contest

sheep being shorn as part of the Sheep Shearing Contest at the Iowa State Fair.

Before - and during - the Sheep Shearing Contest at the Iowa State Fair, where participants strive for a shorn sheep using speed and precision. 

 

hard boiled egg with a dash of salt provided in the Agriculture Building

roasted corn on a stick at the Iowa State Fair

Just a couple of the food options at the Iowa State Fair - the free hard-boiled egg offered at the Agriculture Building and roasted corn on a stick.

 

horse with a rider during cowboy mounted shooting

Close up of a brown horse with a rider during cowboy mounted shooting

white horse with a rider during cowboy mounted shooting

white horse rounding the bend during cowboy mounted shooting

The action was mesmerizing this morning at Cowboy Mounted Shooting, a tradition at the Iowa State Fair that combines grace and power.

 

Musician Blake Guyre performs his Elton John/Billy Joel tribute concert.

Musician Blake Guyre performs his Elton John/Billy Joel tribute concert.

Musician Blake Guyre performs his Elton John/Billy Joel tribute concert.

 

Breeding sheep show in the ring with young FFA members

Washing off two sheep outside before the Breeding Sheep Show

Preparing sheep for the FFA Breeding Sheep Show.

 

The beginning stages of the Iowa State Fair sand sculpture.

The beginning stages of the Iowa State Fair sand sculpture. 

 

small children going down the big slide at the Iowa State Fair

mom and daughter on the big slide at the Iowa State Fair

Little ones enjoying the Big Slide at the Iowa State Fair.

 

The Nadas at their Friday night concert at the Iowa State Fair.

The Nadas at their Friday night concert at the Iowa State Fair.

 

Enjoying  an opportunity to cool down with water at the Iowa State Fair.

Enjoying  an opportunity to cool down with water at the Iowa State Fair.

 

Disgusting cake made to look like a moldy sandwich

A row of disgusting looking cakes submitted to the Ugliest Cake Contest

Disgusting looking cakes submitted to the Ugliest Cake Contest.

 

A quiet moment between a girl and her horse.

A quiet moment between a girl and her horse.

 

fairgoer enjoying the results from the biggest pumpkin contest

Fairgoer enjoying the results from the biggest pumpkin contest.

 

Fairfield and Rosetta, the Iowa State Fair mascots, greet children at the Fair.

Fairfield and Rosetta, the Iowa State Fair mascots, greet children at the Fair.

 

 

Flowers on display at the Agriculture Building at the Iowa State Fair.

Flowers on display at the Agriculture Building at the Iowa State Fair.

 

Ladies Chicken Calling brought sweet sounds to Pioneer Hall.

Ladies Chicken Calling brought sweet sounds to Pioneer Hall.

 

Sasquatch the Big Boar won today tipping the scales at 1,012 lbs.

Sasquatch took home the Big Boar title today weighing in at 1,012 lbs.

 

Iowa State Fair Queen Mary Ann Fox riding in the Fair parade.

Iowa State Fair Queen Mary Ann Fox riding in the Fair parade.

 

Feeling the wind in your hair at the Iowa Stat Fair thrills.

Feeling the wind in your hair at the Iowa Stat Fair thrills.

 

Youth Rooster Crowing contest brought a lot of kids to Pioneer Hall.

Youth Rooster Crowing contest brought a lot of kids to Pioneer Hall.
 

All smiles at the Iowa State Fair when there's a large stuffed animal involved.

All smiles at the Iowa State Fair when there's a large stuffed animal involved.

 

A well deserved rest on the first day of the Fair.

A well deserved rest on the first day of the Fair.

 

Nothing like Iowa sweet corn at the Iowa State Fair.

Nothing like Iowa sweet corn at the Iowa State Fair.

 

Judging at the Kids Chef Contest

Judging at the Kids Chef Baking Championship.