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Welcome back to another evening of Iowa State Fair highlights on Iowa PBS.

I’m Bill Riley.

The Iowa State Fairgrounds are buzzing with energy, filled with people celebrating the very best our state has to offer.

The fair is a showcase of creativity, determination, and heart.

Whether it’s building something bold, baking something wild, or stepping on stage, every fairgoer has a chance to give it their all.

In tonight’s show, we’ll share a number of ways that spirit shines at the fair.

In the hard work preparing dairy cattle for the show ring.

In the speed, precision and strategy of the best bagger contest.

And in the crowning of the 2025 Iowa State Fair Queen.

We'll get started with a fair tradition that puts sharp minds and strong nerves to the test.

The spelling bee!

Under the watchful eyes of the judges and an audience filled with friends and family, sharp young minds from across Iowa take the stage for the ultimate challenge in language mastery.

[Judge] Wagon.

[Child 1] Wagon.

W a g o n. Wagon.

[Judge] Spying.

[Child 2] Spying.

S p y i n g. Spying.

These spellers are more than just# quick thinkers.

They're determined, disciplined, and willing to# put in hours of practice.

[Ashvika Karwal] Well, it all started when I was in first grade.

My mom heard about the spelling bee, and she knew I was really good with spelling,# so she signed me up, and I was really excited.

[Ashvika] Recess.

R e c e s s. Recess.

[Judge] Dimple.

[Child 3] Dimple.

D i m p l e. Di.. [Yaseen Eltayash] I just like# how it can really calm the brain a bit.

It just makes me look more like, relaxed.

[Yaseen] Reeds.

R e e d s. Reeds.

Each round tests their memory, their composure,# and their ability to think under pressure.

The words get longer, the competition fiercer, and the# silence between letters feels like an eternity.

[Child 4] U n i v e r s i t y.

University.

[Judge] This word could be confused with another.

[Child 5] G r o v e s. Groves.

[Judge] That's right.

[Yaseen] The only word that I really# stressed out about was, well, moro.. M o r .

At some point, I was stressing# out to spell the word.

Let me start over.

[Judge] Yeah, no worries.

[Yaseen] M o r o a s e. Morose.

[Judge] You added an a.

It's m o r o s e. [Yaseen] Okay.

[Ashvika] Either ligament carcass or antipathy.

[Judge] Are you ready?

[Ashvika] Yes.

[Judge] Your word is Antipathy.

[Ashvika] Antipathy?

[Judge] Antipathy.

That's right.

[Ashvika] Antipathy.

A n t i p a t h y.

Antipathy.

[Judge] That's right.

Every contestant here takes on# the challenge with grace and grit, proving it's not just about winning, but# about showing up and giving it your best.

To every speller in the competition.

You've# earned something just as valuable.

The pride of knowing you gave it your all.

And that's# a victory you can spell any way you like.

[Abby Brown] I'm sort of famous for stealing# a baby, but I bet my family never thought I'd steal a baby goat.

The Animal Learning center is# officially my favorite place on the fairgrounds.

This is Brooke's first year as superintendent of# the Animal Learning Center.

Tell me everything.

[Brooke Michael] So if you come# to the Animal Learning Center, we have a lot that you can see.

We've# actually had a few things born today.

So we've had goats born today.

We have had# lambs born today.

We've had pigs born today.

[Abby] Look at those tiny# piglets.

What do you think?

[Child 1] I really like them, but I really# like the smallest ones.

They're so cute.

[Abby] I know.

What are they doing?

[Child 1] They're drinking from their mom.

[Abby] They're drinking milk?

Why do they drink milk?

I think it's full of nutrition and# deliciousness and builds big muscles.

[Child 1] Yeah.

[Abby] Yeah, I think so too.

Do you have a favorite animal?

[Child 2] The baby little ducks.

[Abby] The ducks are your favorite.# Why are the ducks your favorite?

[Child 2] Because they're so cute and snuggly.

[Abby] Yeah, but have you seen the goats yet?

[Child 2] No.

[Abby] Well, you.. [Child 2] Yeah, I think so.

[Abby] Kennedy and Ava are here in the Animal# Learning Center.

Who do you have with you?

[Kennedy] I have Daisy.

[Ava] And I have Duke.

[Abby] Tell me about Daisy and Duke.

[Kennedy] They were born three days ago.

[Abby] What are the kids' reactions when# they get to see a baby goat like this?

[Ava Banks] They're all very like,# oh, my gosh, they're so cute.

[Abby] This goat's name is Daisy.# Tell me one word to describe Daisy.

[Child 3] Cute.

[Child 4] Small.

[Child 5] Very cute.

[Abby] That was two words!

[Child 6] A dog.

[Abby] It's not a dog!

W.. (Boy laughing) [Abby] What are some common questions that people have about the learning center?

[Rebecca DeVries] They always# like to ask if the babies are mine.

And I just get to be an amazing# employee here, which is so much fun.

[Abby] And not everybody gets# to hold the babies like you do.

But can they reach through and touch them?

[Rebecca] Yes.

If they don't put# their fingers near their mouth.

[Woman] Which one do you like the# most?

I like the black and gold one.

[Child 7] I like the one that's swimming.

[Abby] Yeah.

What is it?

[Child 8] It’s a baby duck.

[Child 9] I like the chicks the# most because they are the cutest.

[Abby] You think the chicks are the# cutest animal?

Cuter than the goats?

[Child 9] Uh.no.

[Abby] Cuter than the pigs?

[Child 9] Yeah.

[Abby] So when a baby chicken is# born, what does it come out of?

[Child 10] An egg.

[Abby] Do goats come out of eggs?

[Child 10] No.

[Abby] Do pigs come out of eggs?

[Child 10] No.

[Abby] Do ducks come out of eggs?

[Child 10] Yes.

[Abby] Tell me what a chicken sounds like.

[Child 11] Bawk, bawk.

[Child 12] Bawk, bawk, bawk.

[Ava] For us, this is our normal# kind of thing.

But other people, they've never been around turkeys or around# goats, so it's, like, really good to just educate.

[Christina Young] We get compliments every year that, you# know, it's just a great exhibit.

You know, people come up here specifically just to see# this because they like to see how everything is displayed.

The hard work that everybody# puts into this every year, it just represents the ethic that we have in the state of Iowa, not# just for, you know, hard work, but for the arts.

This year, we had 2,511 photos entered, and after three days of judging,# we have 833 photos on display.

[Eric Williamson] All walks of life,# all different people's backgrounds.

There are different perspectives on life, and# it's just a great way to share some of your work.

[Aaron Miller] It's one of the highlights# of the Iowa State Fair.

The competition is great.

The photography is always excellent.# It's a great exposure.

It helps you become better.

You get to compare your pictures# to other people's pictures.

It's a great overall building experience, as well# as coming out and looking at them.

[Christina] You first come around the corner,# all you see is photos everywhere, you know, so you just.

You see these eyes just get# really bright, like the wonder of it all.

[Aaron] Beautiful landscapes, stuff you don't think about.

But the# photographers here capture it perfec.. [Christina] This year's theme for the show# is historical buildings of Iowa.

So they're buildings that have to be on the national# historical registry.

Within the state of Iowa, the photo exhibit is usually the number two# attraction at the state fair.

We're hoping to make it number one.

Everybody come up.

You know,# it's air conditioning, so you guys can come in, enjoy the air conditioning during the hot fair, and then, you know, look around.

[Pam Deichmann, Photography Co-Superintendent] Really stop and enjoy the photos, whether they be on the walls or on the racks or in the theme# room.

Each one has its own special flavor.

Eric] There's a couple of them that really did pop out.

Cameras at a low angle, and you're looking down across all# the pool tables.

It's got great depth, beautiful lighting.

It's very simple.

Dark sides.

[Aaron] There was one that we all really liked.

There was a crop duster that was great# lighting, great focus, just excellent.

[Eric] A farmer or a mechanic who's in the ag industry.

And it's got just a different perspective of the harvester.

They're standing upright.

Very interesting, very moody light.

[Kelsie Knapp, Urbandale] I just love# walking around and seeing all the fun photos that people took.

I think they're# so fun.

I love seeing all the different perspectives that people have.

And# I love the fair photos, especially.

[Christina] How they can show us the world like we've never seen it before.

Anything that tells a story you know, they always say a photo is worth a thousand words.

Something that's going to make you stop and think.

That's what makes a really great photo.

Just as every photograph in the salon captures# a story of creativity and perspective, the Iowa State Fair Queen Contest# shines a light on the confidence and accomplishments of young women from across Iowa.

Let’s meet the county queens and share in the anticipation as we find out who will be crowned the next Iowa State Fair Queen.

[Hailey Swan] Tonight is the culmination of five# days of workshops, interviews and evaluation.

Without further ado, it is our honor to# introduce to you your 2025 County Fair Queens.

Adair County Chloe Rardin.

Adams County, Reagan Sonntag.

Allamakee County, Breelyn Dahlstrom.

Appanoose County, Emery Hawkins.

Audubon County Emily Foran.

Benton County, Alana Fleming.

Black Hawk County Elsie McIntosh.

Boone County, Morgan Christensen.

Bremer County, Jamie Jones.

Buchanan County, Kaydence Zeien.

Buena Vista County, Magdalene Dahlhauser.

Butler County, Hannah Wangsness.

Calhoun County Expo, Madison Becker.

Carroll County, Claire Behrens.

Cass County, Lily Johnson.

Cerro Gordo County, Avah Hanig.

Cedar County, Kennedy Crist.

Cherokee County, Lily Schulenberg.

Chickasaw County, Carrie Schwickerath.

Clarke County, Addie Eckels.

Clay County, Nevaeh Brauhn.

Clayton County, Mindy Keehner.

Clinton County, Natalie Schroeder.

Crawford County, Kennedy Eischeid.

Dallas County, Kelsey Greenslade.

Davis County, Madi Bridgman.

Decatur County, Mildred Waugh.

Delaware County, Holly Gudenkauf.

Des Moines County, Josie Parrott.

Dickinson County, Kendal Niemeier.

Dubuque County, Kylie Donovan.

Emmet County Hanna Paulson.

Fayette County, Alexandria Kent.

Floyd County Mayzie Bruening.

Franklin County, Abby Schoning.

Fremont County, Lana Alley.

Great Jones County Fair, Brooke Heying.

Greene County, Addison Gannon.

Grundy County, Riah Schrage.

Guthrie County, Shyann Young.

Hamilton County, McKenna Miller.

Hancock County, Brinley Hiscocks.

Hardin County, Gracie Andrews.

Harrison County, Trinity Konsbruck.

Henry County, Morgan Meyer.

Howard County Fair, Kennedy Linkenmeyer.

Humboldt County, Jaynee Depue.

Ida County, Abigail Bergman.

Iowa County, Alannah McKibben.

Jackson County, Alia Schmidt.

Jasper County, Meredith Chipps.

Jefferson County.

Nicole Robb.

Johnson County, Taylor Vittetoe.

Keokuk County Expo, Carley Clarahan.

Kossuth County, Ashton Peters.

Lee County, Audrey Sturdivant.

Linn County, Emmalee Kratz.

Louisa County, Kylie Morrison.

Lyon County, Kiann Blomgren.

Madison County, Lillian Burkett.

Mahaska County, Eden VanZante.

Marion County, Abigail VanderLinden.

Marshall County Madelyn Thompson.

Mills County, Joli Johnston.

Mitchell County, Reagan Hollatz.

Monona County, Brooklynn Hupke.

Monroe County, Morgan Hoskins.

Montgomery County, Delaney True.

Muscatine County, Kaylynn Huot.

National Cattle Congress, Keely Recker.

O'Brien County, Ashlynn Gunnerson.

Osceola County, Claire Vreeman.

Page County Ella Johnson.

Palo Alto County, Leah Hoffman.

Plymouth County, Addison Kovarna.

Pocahontas County, Kaylee Dirks.

Polk County, Elise Cornelder.

Pottawattamie County, Grace Pauley.

Poweshiek County, Gracie Kaufman.

Ringgold County, Kaley Murphy.

Sac County, Denae Thayer.

Scott County and the Mississippi# Valley Fair, Delaney Engler.

Shelby County, Brooklyn Buck.

Sioux County, Kolby Oldenkamp.

Story County Ella Henningsen.

Tama County, Rhianna Murty.

Taylor County, Danielle Robinson.

Union County, Annalise Buxton.

Van Buren County, Rylee Caviness.

Wapello County Expo, Autumn Damm.

Wapello County Fair, Mya Sampson.

Warren County, Maci Darr.

Washington County, Morgan Leichty.

Wayne County, Natalia Brown.

Webster County, Blessing Cunigan.

West Pottawattamie County, Kendal Jensen.

Winnebago County, Emma Eichenberger.

Winneshiek County, Rylee Averhoff.

Woodbury County, Grace Flannigan.

Worth County, Kamryn Backhaus.

Wright County.

Lily Pigman.

Wyoming Fair, Sophia Hunter.

[Travis Graven] Tell me what the past year# has been like.

How did this change your life?

[Elli Blackford] It's been a whirlwind, and# I'm gonna get emotional just talking about it, because it's truly just a# dream come true.

And all of the girls behind stage I know are just# feeling the same way right now.

It was a lot more than I ever expected.

It's# something I never even saw myself in.

But I've spent the whole year advocating for# agriculture, the industry I've grown up in, visiting the county fairs, seeing the communities,# and that's what Iowa is all about.

And Queens Weekend itself is life changing.

And our next# queen has a very, very busy and impactful year ahead of her.

She has lots of girls looking up to# her and even all of the girls looking on stage.

As a little girl, I always looked up to each and every person up there knowing that# I wanted to be one of them one day.

[Hailey] And your 2025 Iowa State Fair Queen# hails from Grundy County, Riah Schrage.

[Riah] Wow.

I can't even think straight right# now.

I'm so excited.

I mean, there's so many girls here that deserved it, and I'm just# so honored to be picked.

It's just amazing.

[Paul Yeager] Normally when we are here at the livestock# ring, it is to show the livestock.

Yeah, sure, they're on display for this competition,# but it's really the young people, the 4Hers and FFAers of today, who are learning about judging.# They are trying to become livestock judges.

They are the ones with the pen and paper deciding# who is the best here at the Iowa State Fair.

[Gabe Holthaus] It's a point system of 100.# So the main thing you want to look for is udders and then legs and then dairy strength.

[Paul] Have you done this before, Gabe?

[Gabe] I did it two years ago.

[Paul] So what, why did you want to come back?

[Gabe] My grandpa milks 600 registered Holsteins.

So just after being there a year and just looking at cattle and I'm understanding more and more of it.

So I'm like, why not understand even more?

[Paul] Why do you want to do judging?

[Kamryn Keesley] I've always wanted to livestock judge.

And while that wasn't an opportunity I was given, dairy judging was the next best thing for me.

And it's just something I've fallen in love with doing and have so much fun.

And the group of people that I get to do it with and the coaches I get to do it with are just a super great group of people.

[Paul] Kamryn, what is it that you look for?

Do you have preset things you're looking for?

[Kamryn] I'm drawn to feet and legs, especially on heifers, on cows too.

And then I start bringing that udder into consideration on cows.

[Paul] Why is it important that# they are learning this skill?

[Mary Fliehler] While judging dairy cattle along with oral reasons gives really good decision making skills.

And then oral reasons, that ability to display your opinion and I guess aren't going to argue, but give your# reasons why you think it should be a certain way.

[Paul] Ford, have you done this before?

[Ford] Yes, I have done this since fourth grade.

[Paul] You have an air of confidence when you walk through this ring.

You think that's part of judging?

[Ford] I think it comes with time.

I mean, been doing it for a long time.

Been to a couple national, you know,# judging contests.

It's scary at first, definitely.

I mean, it's still scary for me.# I was nervous when we were in the stands, but come out here, be confident with what you're doing and place them how you like them, I guess.

[Paul] Where did you get your information on how to decide how to place things?

[Ford] So we actually practice from the beginning of May until October, obviously, when we judge every year.

And I mean, my coaches are Kaleb Kruse, my mom, and we have a couple other people.

Mason Kruse helps as well and taught us all what we know and gotta trust them.

I mean, they've all done it.

They're all really good at it.

Trust them and listen to what they say and learn from it.

[Paul] What was your earliest# livestock judging experience?

[Kaleb Kruse] Yeah, so I've been dairy judging down here.

It's kind of a full circuit moment, really.

Been down here since I was# in fifth grade.

So judge down here.

I was a participant as a junior and senior, went off to college, judged on the collegiate level, and then now I'm back here coaching Delaware County.

[Paul] I've talked to a couple of your kids.

What is it you're trying to get across to them?

[Kaleb] Right.

So we're just trying to be# as consistent as possible, right?

We're trying to break down cattle efficiently,# trying to see them more properly, you know, trying to put the correct terms into place where and justify why we're placing it the way we are.

There's a panel of four judges here today.

We're trying to basically match our placings with those panels of four judges.

But sometimes our placings don't.

We have our own opinion, our own style, so we want to justify that.

So that's why I'm trying to coach these kids as much as possible.

[Hayley Schaefer] Today we are# at the best bagger contest, which is one of the fiercest competitions at the Iowa State Fair.

And this year, we decided to make it a little more fun by adding a little contest on the side of our own.

What we are going to be doing today is our own little best bagger competition.

You will be competing.

You will be judging as he goes.

How are you feeling about# attempting to bag some groceries?

Attempting.

Kind of nervous.

[Hayley] Three, two, one, go.

[Kayley Zanker] Okay, he's starting off good.

[Hayley] Is that what you would# start with?

Is the boxes first?

[Kayley] Yeah.

You want to have the boxes in the sides so it helps stabilize the bag.

[Hayley] Go.

[Joel Segura] All right... dry foods together.

Okay.

Got tomatoes in there.# That's good.

Keeping the food groups together.

[Kayley] He has to figure out the eggs.

[Hayley] Where would you put the eggs?

[Kayley] You want to have the eggs at# the top so then they don't get squished.

[Joel] There you go.

Perfect.# Smart move.

Smart.

Alrighty.

[Hayley] How did he do?

[Kayley] I think he did pretty good.# This one's a little more heavier, so you'd kind of have to hold it at the bottom.

But I think overall, he did pretty good.

[Hayley] Take a look in the bags.

How did she do?

[Joel] All righty.

She got all the boxes# organized in one bag.

They're all dry foods, no cold.

And then you got# the eggs separate.

Perfect.

[Hayley] Good job.

Welcome to the 38th annual Iowa Best Bagger# Competition.

Baggars on the marks get set.

(Whistle blowing) [Michelle Hurd] They are judged on speed,# weight distribution, proper bag technique, so making sure that their bread# isn't on bottom, and then, of course, style, attitude.

It's a really competitive# competition, so all categories really matter.

[Hayley] What's your strategy?

[Tanner Eisentrager, Ankeny] Go fast.

[Hayley] G.. [Tanner] Yep.

The top point time# is 53 second.. [Hayley] And how did you get here today?

[Kendra Schuette, Arcadia] We had a day# in Johnston where we competed with, .. 20 to 27.

Top 7 got to come to the state fair.

[Hayley] What is one item that you# think might give you difficulty?

[Jacob Gibson] Good question.

Trying to get# things evenly weighted is tough.

So if you got, like, several heavy things, you're like, okay, do I buy them evenly?

Do I put them# in one bag with the lighter things?

[Hayley] And have you been practicing?

[Joel] I had last practice on# Tuesday.

I did really good, and I had two of my bags# weigh even.

I think I got it.

[Hayley] You think you got it?

[Hayley] So you think you can win today?

[Joel] Hopefully, yes.

[Michelle] So the first place winner wins $500 and a trip for two to Las Vegas to represent our state at the national competition in January.

So we have had seven national champions here from the state of Iowa.

We have a really proud, great tradition here of Great Baggers.

Our first place winner in the 2025# Iowa Best Bagger is Brady Dierks.. Congratulations, Brady.

The Iowa State Fair is all about friendly competition.

Here are a few# of today’s standout winners.

It’s time for a very short break but when# we come back we'll meet a young baker with a wild imagination.

We’ll# enjoy another quirky competition in Pioneer Hall.

And we’ll dance to# the infectious beat of Parranderos Latin Combo!.

So stick around for# more state fair fun on Iowa PBS!

[Paul Yeager] What's underrated?# What's most underrated at the fair?

[Woman 1] That's tough.

[Paul] Is the corn dog underrated,# or do you th.. [Man 1] I think it gets enough love.

[Woman 2] Oh, man.

[Paul] What's the most underrated fair fo.. [Woman 3] The fried peanut# butter and jelly on a stick.

I don't know if anyone's had that.

It's delicious.

[Woman 4] The corn in a cup, just around the corner.

The grilled corn?# I don't know.

Mexican .. [Woman 2] Barbecue pork is# probably my favorite there.

[Woman 1] I think.

I don't have an answer.

I# think everybody loves everything at the fair.

[Woman 2] Yes.

Choose your own.

Choose# your own journey at the state fair.

[Woman 1] Yep.

[Paul] If you could make any# new fair food and deep fry it, what do you think they need to deep fry next?

[Child 1] Oh, no, this is hard.

[Man 2] A pizza hasn't been deep fried yet, and they got good old greasy oil.

So that'd be something different .. [Man 3] I would love to see just, like, a chocolate on chocolate type of combination.

Maybe something like a chocolate# funnel cake with a chocolate drizzle.

[Paul] Somebody just told me pizza.

[Woman 5] That would be great.

[Child 1] That'd be really good.

Welcome back, everyone, to our second night of Fair 2025.

After hearing all that great advice on navigating# the fair’s endless food choices, you might be ready for a spot to# relax and enjoy your favorites.

The Iowa State Fair’s newest go-to gathering space, The Lawn, is perfect for just that.

Let’s take a look at how this new addition is giving fairgoers a comfortable# place to soak in the atmosphere.

[Brooke Kohlsdorf] What is this little area of the state fair?

[Gwen Page] So, yes, we are on the# southwest corner of the Iowa State Fair, which is referred to as The Lawn.

I like to refer to it as our local corner because we celebrate a lot of locally owned businesses.

We first have the Iowa Craft Beer Tent, which has been here since 2010.

And then# Whatcha Smokin?

Barbecue came on in 2023.

So what goes better than barbecue and beer?

And next to us is Winn and Sara's Kitchen, and they just joined the fair last year.# And then we also have Destination Grille, which joined as well last year out of Grimes.

[Brooke] This is a local area.

Right.

So# the vendors here are from Iowa.

So what?

That must make you feel good that you're all kind of, you know, partners in that sense.

[Jonnann Benedict] Oh, heck, yeah.

I mean, not only local as in Iowa, but, you know, we're neighbors and we can support# each other and know what it takes to, you know, make it through at the restaurant itself and to then be able to bring those operations here at the fair.

It's a totally different game out here.

[Brooke] Okay, so for someone# who's new to Destination Grille, what would you suggest they try?

[Jonnann] Ooh, I'd probably say the# surf and turf, and it's the best, you know, land and sea combo.

So it# gives you the best of both worlds.

[Eduardo Granillo] The lobster corn# dog is, I mean, from last year, being top three foods, I feel like we# still get a lot of requests for that.

[Brooke] This is kind of a# place where people hang out, right?

Is it becoming more of a, like,# spot to congregate and people watch?

[Gwen] Definitely.

Yeah.

Yeah.

People watching is one of the most favorite things of the fair.

And you'll just get people of all ages coming# down here.

But yeah, the fair has also done a really nice job of adding some shaded seating.

We# have entertainment here with the Flying Royals.

And the Iowa Craft Beer Tent always has plenty# of seating with live music as well every night.

[Brooke] Scott, where are we?

[Scott Carlson] We're at the Iowa# Craft Beer Tent at the Iowa State Fair.

So we have 122 taps,# all from breweries in Iowa.

[Brooke] This has become kind# of a local vending area, right?

[Scott] You know, it's kind of become a# nice little local circle of, you know, local elevated food, elevated beer,# elevated drink, elevated people, maybe.

[Brooke] What do you think of this kind of space?

[Sophia Slocum-Applegate] Oh, actually, it's# nice.

It's more spacious than I thought.

I don't know how many people are here, but I# feel like there's enough room to get around, and I like that it's kind of a designated# area with some entertainment too, so I recommend it.

This is a# lot cooler than I expected.

[Kris Jasper] Wind down, you know.

We've got a great vibe going on and we# meet up with friends every year he..

So great music, always a great time.

[Brooke] Why is this a great# place for people to stop?

[Scott] You know what, I will say, stop and arrive# right by the bus station.

So on the way in and the way out.

If you want to taste a little bit of# Iowa, you want to try some things that maybe you can't find locally in the grocery stores,# even small little breweries across the great state of Iowa, you can come here on the way# out and cap yourself off with one last beer, think about something you maybe never had# before for and make your way back home.

(Bull horn making siren sound) [Man 1] Attention, Iowa Craft Beer Tent.# Kelly from Sioux City.

She just got the keg of the full fledge.

Got herself a free# t-shirt.

Let's give her a round of applause.

[Blair Ryan] Ah, the Elwell Family Food Center.# Home to the state's prettiest, most elegant cakes.

[Child 1] I like the Fair Sweet Fair.

[Woman 1] The Fair Sweet Fair?

[Child 1] Yeah.

Because the fair is so sweet.

[Blair] They're meticulously decorated with ornate details and almost look too beautiful# to eat.

Some of them are also .

gross?

The ugliest cake competition is where kids let their creativity shine.

The more gruesome, the better.

We met up with an experienced, ugly cake connoisseur ahead of the competition to get some tips on how to make a standout entry.

[Phil Reeder] One time, I did handrailing on the big slide, and there's a ton of, like, germs and stuff.

Last year, I won first place.

This year, I'm going to do a storm at the Iowa State Fair pig pen.

And there's gonna be, like, it's gonna be a pig pen, and the fence is gonna be made out of, like, pretzels, and I got some pig gummies.

[Girl 1] Okay.

It's good.

[Phil] Everything on your cake has to# be fully edible, like, has to be food.

The judges, they don't eat it.

They just judge it by the looks of it.

It's just gonna be like the mud of the pig pen.

You make it look ugly, but then you don't make it look bad.# You still have to make it look nice.

And you can't just put stuff anywhere.

You have to kind of plan out where you put stuff.

So now I'm gonna add in the pigs.

It's a pretty hard competition.

Because a lot of people enter it, and a lot of people are really good at it.

The people who sponsor it like it if you do an Iowa State Fair theme.

So I usually do that.

It takes, like, a week to figure out an# idea.

I come up with a bunch of designs that I narrow it down.

Now I'm gonna make the tree wrench that fell into the middle of the pig pen.

When I was thinking of the idea, I was thinking of, like, the derecho that day.

And so then I just decided,# oh, I'll do, like, a storm.

And so I decided I'll do a storm at the state fair pig pen.

I'm shaping the fondant into, like, little twigs that will hang off the# branch to make it look a little bit more real.

Done.

There was just a big storm at the Iowa State Fair.

It messed everything up.

But it hit the pigpen the worst.

Next to the pigpen, there is a giant old tree, and one of the biggest branches fell and hit the middle of the pen.

Now it's a huge mess.

Mud and poop flew everywhere.

And the pigs aren't happy either because the middle is the main place where they bathe and bask in the sun.

Oh, also, the storm made the trash cans fly everywhere, and one of the trash cans from Campbell's Concessions fell into the pig pen.

Now# all the pigs are eating the old moldy burgers.

Personally, I think that, like, it's fun# to do, and it's a really hard competition.

The energy and creativity on the Riley Stage just keeps growing.

Here’s a look at the talented Iowans# moving forward after today’s event.

♪ ♪ Don’t miss the Talent Championships,# Sunday, August 17 at 8pm on Iowa PBS.

Now, it wouldn’t be the Iowa State Fair without a# few time-honored traditions that are equal parts quirky and beloved.

At Pioneer Hall, fairgoers# of all ages gather for contests that are loud, proud, and full of personality—the# Youth Rooster Crowing and Ladies Chicken Calling competitions.

Get ready for some big# voices, big laughs, and even bigger clucks.

(Contestants crowing) Good job.

First place is a two way tie.

(Winners crowing) [Max Rieman] The hardest part about this is, well, I don't know, might be hard for# other people, but I think it was pretty good for me.

I didn't practice that much,# but I've done this two times before.

[Contestant 1] Here, chick, chick, chick,# chick.

Here chick, chick, chick.

Bawk.

Bawk.

[Contestant 2] Here chick, chick,# chick, chick, chick, chick, chick, chick, chick, chick, chick, chick,# chick, chick, chick.

Here chick, chick, chick, chick, chick, chick.# Here chick, chick, chick, chick, chick.

[Contestant 3] Bawk, bawk,# Here chick, chick, chick.

[Contestant 4] Girls, girls in the# coop.

I'm very tired of chicken soup.

[Contestant 5] Here girls.

Cheek chee# chick, chick.

Here chick, chick, chick.

Come on ladies, come on.

[Contestant 6] Here chick chick chick,# come get your scraps, chick chick chick.

[Contestant 7] Here girls.# Bwaaaa, cluck, cluck, cluck.

(Chirping and clucking sounds) [Mika Taniyama] I heard about this# contest from my friends.

And it's a good fair and a good contest.

I want to# try again and I want to get first prize.

[Brittany Calloway] Well, part of it was we were# actually coming in and my husband was trying to get me to go into the calling contest, but I# didn't want to do that.

And luckily the lady with clipboard came up and said, hey, do you want# to judge?

And I was like, yes, I will do that.

[Lori Hiner] You always want to come up# here to Pioneer Hall.

It's cool in here.

There's a lot of activities# every day to participate in.

[Erik Anderson] It was very interesting# having our backs to the participants and it really focused you in terms of that first and# second and the overall technical aspect of it.

[Hollie Nelson] So the kids, you could kind of# anticipate what the call was going to be like.

I was not anticipating what the women's call was# going to be like.

There were some that were very extravagant.

It was interesting nonetheless# to go from the youth to the ladies and just seeing the difference in it.

And you could# tell that both age groups had a fun time.

[Kat Gonzalez] Our LEGO Mosaic Brick# Wall build is located on the second floor of the cultural building.

We are# going to work together with fairgoers and they can create an image.

We will# add them to a large 6-foot LEGO wall.

We will have a complete art piece that will# be on display for the rest of the fair.

[Ethan Hastie] People can build# whatever they want on tiles.

It's 6x6, so they have 36, almost like pixels of individual pieces# that they can build on that little plate.

[Woman 1] I decided to build a sunflower.

[Woman 2] Well, I created a pig.

Now you# have to use your imagination a little bit, but we've got the sun and the sky, the# pig here with a little bit of grass.

[Kat] My son Ethan and I have# been building LEGO.

He started when he was 3 or 4 and he is now# 22 years old and still building.

He's always been the builder in# the family, but then that inspired my husband and I.

Now we're going to# different shows and displaying LEGO.

[Ethan] It is addicting.

It's really# addicting.

It's kind of therapeutic actually for us, for a lot of# people that do LEGO building.

PBS logo.

[Woman 3] Nice.

[Ethan] When I was 10 years old, I remember I came to the Iowa State Fair and I thought to myself, man, I love the Iowa State# Fair so much.

And so that following year, I worked tirelessly to build a little# section of the fairgrounds out of LEGO.

We brought it that first year and I got placed# in People's Choice.

And ever since then, I've been doing a big LEGO build every single# year of the fair.

And that's been over a decade that I've been doing that for.

This year I built a# LEGO fiddle.

And this marks the 100th anniversary of the Fiddlers Contest at the Iowa State Fair.

My# dad is one of those fiddlers.

I wanted to test my technical building abilities and build a replica# of a violin, or a fiddle, as it's known here.

[Kat] We have had the LEGO division, the building# blocks division here at the state fair for four years.

Our very first year, we had only 26# entries.

As of today, we have 63 entries.

This year we decided to build a fish aquarium as# a collaborative build with our local LEGO users group.

And there were 12 to 13 participants# that each provided a part of that build.

I believe LEGO is an art form because# you can use it to create something that is not instruction based.

So it allows not# only children, but adults to participate and use their imagination to build# something and make it come to life.

[Child 1] It's a waterfall.

It's got some# darker gray down here for some wet rock.

Some brown down here for some dirt, some# trees, some grass.

And then the sky up here.

[Child 2] I really love LEGO.

♪ ♪ (Parranderos Latin Combo singing in Spanish) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ That brings our night at the fair to a close, but the fun# doesn’t stop here.

We’ll be back with you tomorrow night and# every night this week.

Until then, you can find even more state# fair stories, highlights, and behind-the-scenes moments waiting for you online—anytime you want them.

Looking for more ways to enjoy the fair?

Visit our website, our YouTube channel, and the PBS App, along with our# Facebook and Instagram pages.

We’ll keep the State Fair fun# going for you—day or night.

Back at the studio, our team is# already hard at work on tomorrow night’s show—and we’ve packed it with some of the state fair’s most beloved traditions.

We’ll celebrate 100 years of toe-tapping tunes at the legendary fiddle contest.

We’ll cheer on Iowa’s young agricultural leaders in the FFA Parade of Champions.

And of course, no night of state fair traditions would be complete without a visit to the iconic Butter Cow.

The fair is where we come together to# celebrate our creativity, accomplishments, and community—like only Iowans can.

It’s an honor to bring all of that to you.

We’ll see you tomorrow night for more highlights from the amazing, the incredible, the one and only Iowa State Fair—right here on Iowa PBS.

Until# then, I’m Bill Riley.

Have fun at the fair!

[Announcer] Funding for fair 2025 is provided by — 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.

As Iowans, we all want clean air, land,# and water.

Iowa's pig farmers do too.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association invites you to learn more at iowapork.org/wecare.

(Text on screen: What you love about the fair...Vermeer is proud to support.

Learn more at vermeer.com.)

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.

The Pella Rolscreen Foundation is a# proud supporter of Iowa PBS.

Pella Windows and Doors strives to better our communities and build a better tomorrow.

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.