2026 Iowa State Fair Recap – August 22, 23
It’s time to recap the final weekend of the 2026 Iowa State Fair! Record-breaking crowds continued to pour through the gates, eager to experience every last bit of what the Fair had to offer. The Blue Ribbon Foundation was thrilled to welcome them with open arms!
The final Iowan of the Day winner was recognized on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage. Congratulations to Mary Jean Paschen of Urbandale!
At 96 years old, Mary Jean continues to inspire others through a lifetime of volunteer service and leadership. A retired music and second-grade teacher, she has dedicated decades to supporting education, history, the arts and her community through organizations including Blank Park Zoo, the Des Moines Symphony Guild, P.E.O. and Central Presbyterian Church. Known for her kindness and commitment to others, Mary Jean’s lifelong dedication to serving her community continues to inspire generations of Iowans. We were honored to celebrate her contributions at the Fair!
A special thank you goes to our 2026 Public Relations Intern, Emma Deppe! Emma did a wonderful job organizing the Iowan of the Day program from start to finish. She promoted the program, served as the main point of contact for each winner, wrote press releases and speeches, and made sure every Iowan enjoyed their special celebration at the Iowa State Fair.
Emma was also busy managing the Woodcarvers’ Auction - a record-breaking year that raised $96,046! All proceeds from the auction were dedicated to Our Fair’s Future, the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s endowment fund. A special thank you to chainsaw artists Gary Keenan, T.J. Jenkins and Clint Henik for creating such outstanding works of art. Crowd favorites this year included the USA bench, hummingbird, Grinch and porch goose.
Ornaments have always been popular Iowa State Fair souvenirs. There’s something special about combining favorite summertime Fair traditions with favorite holiday traditions! New in 2026 were the Hampshire pig and Horse Barn ornaments. Other ornaments available through the Online State Fair Store include the Butter Cow, camper, lamb, draft horse, Fairfield, pork chop on a stick, quilt and Riley Stage.
If you’re missing an ornament from a previous year, be sure to check out the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s Online Souvenir Auction in November. The auction features a fantastic selection of unique memorabilia, collectibles and special items — perfect for Fairgoers, collectors and anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind treasure.
There are so many people to thank after another successful Iowa State Fair.
Thank you to our interns and summer staff for helping the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s operations run smoothly. Thank you to the many Iowa State Fair departments that work alongside us to make the magic happen. Thank you to the countless volunteers who generously give their time to help us fundraise. And, last but certainly not least, thank you to our loyal donors who continue to support our mission year after year.
Because of these dedicated individuals, we can continue investing in the future of the Iowa State Fair. One of those future investments is the restoration of the historic Swine Barn through the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s Back the Barns fundraising campaign.
The Swine Barn is undergoing a three-year, $19.6 million renovation, marking the largest facilities project in Iowa State Fair history. Originally built in 1907 and expanded in 1936, the barn has served generations of exhibitors and Fairgoers and includes more than 184,000 square feet of livestock space. With the last major improvements completed in 1942, this renovation represents a significant investment in one of the Fairgrounds’ most iconic buildings.
Jeff and Deb Hansen of Iowa Select Farms have generously contributed $2 million to the Swine Barn renovation and will also add an interactive, educational exhibit highlighting Iowa’s swine industry. Upon completion, the building will be named the Jeff & Deb Hansen Iowa Select Farms Swine Barn.
Phase I of the project was completed in time for the 2026 Fair. This phase included remodeling the west office, remodeling the west women’s restroom to meet current accessibility standards and constructing new restrooms on the east end of the barn, including men’s, women’s and family restrooms.
Phase II started this fall and will be completed in time for the 2028 Fair. The renovation includes:
- Reconstructed roof lines to direct rainwater away from the interior portions of the barn
- New south center stalling area with fewer columns and higher ceilings
- New storm sewer, sanitary sewer and water utility lines
- An underground storm sewer retention system south of the barn
- Remodeled office spaces
- Restoration of masonry and sheet metal
- New membrane roofing to replace the current ballasted roof system
- Exterior and interior painting
- Repair and replacement of perimeter metal gates
- New concrete flooring in areas affected by new utilities
- New storage areas
- Remodeled existing restrooms and new restrooms, including family restrooms and showers, to meet current accessibility standards
- New interior wash rack area
- New portable pens in the south center stalling area
- New electrical service and lighting
- Improved sound system and internet connectivity
The Back the Barns fundraising campaign is one component of the Iowa State Fair’s long-term facilities plan to renovate and improve Fairgrounds infrastructure while enhancing the experience for exhibitors and visitors. To date, nearly $20 million in renovation work has been completed in the Sheep Barn, which was completed in 2024, and the Horse Barn, which was completed in 2026.
With the final corndog served and the lights turned off, that’s a wrap on the 2026 Iowa State Fair! Thank you - thank you - thank you! We truly can’t say it enough. The Blue Ribbon Foundation staff will keep working throughout the next 10 months to make the 2027 Iowa State Fair even better.
Until then, thank you for being part of our Fair family. We’ll see you next August!
