Iowa State Fair Podcast

The Iowa State Fair Podcast wraps up its special three-part live series from the Animal Learning Center with more of the people, traditions and stories that make the Fair one of Iowa’s most beloved events. Maxwell and Amy visit with legendary butter sculptor Sarah Pratt, who shares the story behind this year’s Jersey butter cow and special Pepsi Clock sculpture, the surprising age of the butter she works with, and even how those creations are dismantled after the Fair. Then, Lydia Miller takes us inside the Cultural Center, from a record number of dollhouse entries to arts, crafts, photography, kids’ activities and new creative competitions inspiring the next generation of Fair exhibitors. Next, meet Geoffrey Grimes, the self-taught craftsman behind nearly 100 Adirondack chairs now giving Fairgoers a comfortable place to relax—including one enormous 10-foot photo-op chair! Finally, Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons stops by to reflect on record-setting attendance, weather challenges, free entertainment, the renovated Horse Barn, new transportation options and plans to make the Fair even more comfortable and pedestrian-friendly. It’s a fun, behind-the-scenes finale celebrating the creativity, community and people who make the Iowa State Fair truly special.

The Iowa State Fair Podcast is LIVE from the Fair! Max and Amy take the microphones to the Animal Learning Center for a special episode celebrating the people, food and unmistakable spirit that make the Iowa State Fair one of a kind. First, meet Mary Smith, a remarkable 100-year-old Iowa State Master Gardener, longtime Discovery Garden volunteer and blue-ribbon-winning fruit grower. Mary shares memories of her first Fair, her years as an elementary school teacher, tending her orchard and the gardening philosophy that keeps her going strong. Then, television personality, author and Food Network favorite Sandra Lee joins Max and Amy during her visit to the Fair. The star of Netflix’s Blue Ribbon Baking Championship talks about her television career, her love of state fairs, judging the Ugliest Cake competition, Iowa food traditions—and her mission to find a fried taco and experience a Scotcheroo! Finally, Gwen Page, owner of Whatcha Smokin' BBQ & Brew in Luther, takes us behind the scenes of creating Star Spangled Swine, one of this year’s standout new Fair foods, and shares how her team serves up serious barbecue to thousands of hungry fairgoers. It’s great stories, plenty of laughs and a true taste of the Fair—recorded live from the Animal Learning Center!

Bring your appetite! In this special Iowa State Fair Podcast, Maxwell and Amy take you inside one of the most anticipated events leading up to the Fair—the 2026 Top 11 New Foods Competition. From savory breakfast creations and gourmet comfort food to decadent desserts, you'll hear the stories behind the culinary creativity that keeps fairgoers coming back year after year. Drawing from a record field of more than 80 new food entries, this year's finalists celebrate innovation, Iowa agriculture, and the America 250 theme in delicious fashion. The episode features conversations with Iowa Specialty Crop Growers Association representative Kenadi Moore, who introduces the Strawberry Bliss while highlighting Iowa's specialty crop industry, and returning fan favorite Winn Nguyen of Winn & Sarah's Kitchen, who shares the inspiration behind the All-American Scrambled Egg Roll as his family chases a remarkable third consecutive New Foods title. Maxwell and Amy also catch up with familiar Iowa media personalities, including Eric Hanson (KCCI-TV 8), Megan Ruether (WHO 13), and Rob Newton and Mercedes Rich (Life 107.1), who reveal their favorite new foods, memorable State Fair experiences, and why Iowa's biggest celebration is about so much more than what's on the menu. Finally, Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons previews the Fair's exciting new attractions, discusses why food remains the number-one reason visitors attend, and explains how the 2026 America 250 celebration will create a "fair within the fair."

The May 2026 episode of the Iowa State Fair Podcast with hosts Max and Amy welcomes three remarkable women whose lives have been shaped by the Iowa State Fair Queen tradition: 2025 Iowa State Fair Queen Riah Schrage, former Queen and Dallas County Fair Queen coordinator Celeste Richardson, and 2018 Iowa State Fair Queen Hailey Van Maanen. Together, they share firsthand stories and share how the recognition is far more than a sash and a crown. Listeners will hear inspiring stories about confidence, leadership, friendship, and community. Riah reflects on her whirlwind year representing the Iowa State Fair, from visiting schools and hospitals to judging contests and even measuring beards at the Fair. Celeste offers an inside look at how county fair queen contests work and explains how contestants are coached in everything from interviews and public speaking to etiquette and handling tough real-world topics. Hailey shares emotional memories from her own crowning, how the Fair opened unexpected doors in broadcasting and performance, and why she continues mentoring future contestants today. Each guest emphasized that success is not about fitting a mold but about authenticity, confidence, and willingness to step outside your comfort zone. The episode is packed with insight, touching moments, and practical advice for young women considering competing or preparing for the future.

Ever wonder, “How do you enter something in the Iowa State Fair”? In this March 2026 episode of the Iowa State Fair Podcast, hosts Maxwell and Amy sit down with Competitive Events Director Jen Cannon and Entertainment Director Tonya Cook to talk about turning your talent into a blue ribbon. From pies to pigs, and everything in between, Jen breaks down how to enter Iowa State Fair competitions, including key deadlines, categories, and insider tips for first-time exhibitors. Learn when contest rules are released (April 1), when entries open (May 1), and how to submit everything from baked goods and garden produce to photography, crafts, and creative arts. You’ll also discover why beginners often win big, how anonymous judging works, and the difference between a blue ribbon and the coveted purple ribbon. The episode also highlights the incredible variety of categories available, including fan favorites like jumbo vegetables, dollhouses, and floral displays. Tonya Cook shares how to easily join the fun with Iowa State Fair’s famous walk-up contests, including husband calling, rubber chicken throwing, and more. No experience required. Just show up and participate! Listen to find out if she gives away any upcoming 2026 grandstand shows, free stage performances, and new attractions tied to the America250 celebration. If you’ve ever wondered how to compete, volunteer, perform, or simply get more involved in the Iowa State Fair, this episode is your guide. Find even more details at iowastatefair.org.

The first episode of 2026 invites you behind the curtain with Maxwell and Amy to meet the people who make the Iowa State Fair feel like home. These are the craftsmen, caretakers, and coordinators whose work often goes unseen but touches every visitor. You’ll hear from Ben Robey, who restores historic buildings with handmade carpentry; Steve Milosevic, who keeps major venues running smoothly (even after the sticky chaos of the “Coke Races”); Charlie McInroy, who brings thousands of flowers to life without a single irrigation system; and Dave Buttz, who manages one of the fair’s busiest buildings and treasures the joy of families walking through the gates. It’s a heartfelt look at the pride and passion that power the Fair all year long. And coming up next month: a sneak peek at the special celebrations planned for America’s 250th birthday at the 2026 fair. Learn more at IowaStateFair.org.

This special November 2025 episode of the Iowa State Fair Podcast with Maxwell and Amy celebrates a once-in-a-lifetime honor: Iowa State Fair exhibitors whose work is now showcased at the Smithsonian Institution’s Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C. Across the hour, listeners meet extraordinary Iowans whose “fair projects” have become part of a national exhibition on state fairs, craft, and the American imagination at the Smithsonian. The conversation begins with award-winning quilter Mary Shotwell who explains the difference between pieced and appliqué quilting and how her love of intricate designs grew into decades of blue ribbons and multiple “Best of Show” honors at the Iowa State Fair. Next, the spotlight turns to embroiderer Anne Hansen, whose stunning three-dimensional butterfly, small enough to fit in a glass dome yet realistic enough to be mistaken for ceramic, also appears in the Smithsonian exhibit. Anne talks about learning embroidery as a child, becoming captivated by 3D “stump work” techniques, and spending months of late-night stitching to bring tiny wings and leaves to life. Then listeners can catch up with Sarah Pratt, Iowa’s beloved butter cow sculptor, whose life-size jersey cow now anchors its own custom-built, octagonal cooler in a prominent rotunda space at the Renwick. Sarah shares how she initially thought the Smithsonian was only interested in memorabilia from her mentor, Norma “Duffy” Lyon—until curators stepped into the butter cooler and started asking how they could get the sculpture itself to D.C. The episode then shifts to Rod and Deb Zeitler, a powerhouse Iowa State Fair duo. Rod is a competitive canner whose 750-jar pyramid, dramatically lit from below, showcases Iowa-grown fruits and vegetables in “visually stunning” form. Deb, a weaver, basketmaker, and shoemaker, explains how a class at the Penland School of Crafts led her into leatherwork and to the handcrafted boots now on display. Together, they reflect on becoming unexpected “stars” among visitors and on the joy of having a place they’ve always loved visiting—the Renwick craft museum—now showcasing their own work. Finally, miniaturist Beth Grabau joins the show to talk about her exquisitely detailed, three-sided vignette titled The Pump House. Beth describes the intense math, materials knowledge, and steady hands required for miniature work, as well as the emotional challenge of letting the piece leave home for Washington. Listeners are invited to visit the Renwick Gallery’s state fair exhibit, explore the Cultural Center at the Fair, and stay tuned for next month’s holiday-themed episode featuring the Iowa State Fair–inspired stocking stuffers and seasonal fun.

On this episode of the Iowa State Fair Podcast, hosts Maxwell and Amy explore the vibrant life of the Fairgrounds beyond August with two engaging guests: Liz Ley, Event Services Manager, and Mindy Williamson, Chief Marketing Officer. Together, they reveal how the Iowa State Fair is more than an eleven-day celebration—it’s a year-round hub for weddings, livestock shows, quirky competitions, and community traditions. Liz, who pulls back the curtain on what happens at the Fairgrounds once the midway lights go out. Far from being quiet, the Fairgrounds host everything from quilt shows and livestock events to craft fairs and even unusual gatherings like pigeon shows, psychic expos, and alpaca competitions. Later in the episode, Mindy Williamson, offers a marketing perspective on the recently concluded 2025 Iowa State Fair. From food to entertainment, accessibility initiatives to new shade structures and sidewalks, every improvement played a role in making the Fair more welcoming. Both Liz and Mindy emphasize that the Fairgrounds are truly a “city within a city,” powered by 75 full-time staff, countless vendors, and volunteers who keep it running year-round. From Coke syrup–coated races inside the Jacobson Building to the patriotic pageantry of the Cowgirl Queen contest, their stories remind listeners that the Iowa State Fair and Fairgrounds remain alive with creativity, competition, and community virtually year-round. This episode is a reminder: whether you’re planning your wedding, attending a craft fair, or looking forward to patriotic celebrations at the 2026 Iowa State Fair, the grounds are always buzzing.

In the second of three “LIVE at the Fair” episodes, Max and Amy bring the Iowa State Fair Podcast to the porch of the Fair’s Administration Building for another lively day of conversations. They open with Iowa State Fair Board President Curtis Claeys and the beloved Bill Riley Jr. of the Bill Riley Talent Search, who share stories about fair traditions, the importance of county fairs as the foundation for the big show in Des Moines, and the unique “Iowa nice” spirit that shapes the fair experience. From tales of commemorative benches to the role of agriculture in the Fair Board’s work, their segment captures the mix of history, community, and passion that fuels the event year after year. The episode continues with 15-year-old Lydia, a public safety helper and Barksdale’s Cookies cashier, whose energy and ambition shine as she talks about her summer job, love of meeting new people, and dream of becoming a police officer. Then, Blue Ribbon Foundation Executive Director Peter Cownie explains how the Foundation raises millions to preserve and improve the fairgrounds, shares his personal connection to the Fair, and teases future projects, including a new Ag Learning Center. His conversation highlights how philanthropy, planning, and community support keep the Fair vibrant and evolving. Closing out the show, Grant Campbell and Brandon Schroeder bring the flavor—literally—sharing stories from Campbell’s Concessions and The Depot. As a fifth-generation concessionaire, Campbell reflects on family tradition, new menu hits like pickle pizza, the challenges of staffing 700 workers, and the camaraderie among vendors. From celebrity visits to the logistics of moving semi-loads of corn dogs, their stories remind listeners that behind every food stand is a team, a history, and a deep pride in serving fairgoers. It’s another episode packed with the people, flavors, and heart that make the Iowa State Fair more than just an event—it’s an Iowa institution.

Get your forks ready—this episode takes you behind the scenes of one of the tastiest traditions at the Iowa State Fair: the New Food Event! From deep-fried genius to sweet surprises to anything on a stick, we’ll reveal how vendors dream up their over-the-top treats, what it takes to be a concessionaire at the Fair, and why food fanatics across the state count down to their food adventure at the Fair. Join us for flavor, fun, and a few unexpected ingredients.

We chat with Mike Schulte from The Pork Tornados about their favorite fair memories and what it means to play for hometown crowds. Plus, chainsaw artist Gary Keenan joins us to talk about turning logs into jaw-dropping sculptures. This episode is all about creativity, community, and the magic of the Iowa State Fair.

In this episode, we’re celebrating tradition and new beginnings at the Iowa State Fair! Join us as we sit down with Larry McConnell, who is marking his incredible 50th year as a vendor at the Fair, sharing stories from over the years and the changes he’s seen along the way. Then, we’ll chat with Joni Bell, Toby Kruse, and Dianna Marquardt about their exciting new venture—the Blue Ribbon Bar and Eatery, where friendly faces and down home cooking meet trendy experiences and lively entertainment.