2026 Iowa State Fair Recap – August 16, 17, 18
Surviving the first weekend of the Iowa State Fair is an accomplishment! By Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, staff have found their rhythm and finally have a little extra breathing room.
The Blue Ribbon Foundation was proud to honor three outstanding Iowans as Iowan of the Day recipients.
Kelly Penman Jr. – Carlisle
Known as “The Cemetery Guy,” Kelly Penman Jr. has spent more than a decade preserving Iowa’s history by restoring hundreds of veterans’ and historic headstones at no cost to families. A U.S. Navy veteran and registered nurse, Kelly also teaches cemetery preservation techniques and led restoration efforts following tornado damage at Oakwood Cemetery in Pleasant Hill. Kelly serves with Final Salute and volunteers as president of his community’s After Prom Committee. His dedication to honoring the past and serving others has made a lasting impact across Iowa.
Joyce and Keith McClain – Carson
Joyce and Keith have spent decades serving their community together through their church, schools, and local organizations. They have taught Sunday School at Carson United Methodist Church for more than 35 years. Joyce also serves in numerous church ministries, while Keith serves as a trustee. Beyond their church, the McClains have supported local schools, community projects, and events. Their service has earned them the Iowa Governor’s Volunteer Award and recognition as Grand Marshals of the 2019 Riverside Homecoming Parade. Together, they continue to leave a legacy of faith, generosity, and service.
Jordan Norton – Mt. Pleasant
Jordan has dedicated his life to serving both his country and his community. He has served in the U.S. Army since 2007, including a deployment to Afghanistan. Jordan volunteers more than 500 hours each year coaching youth wrestling and soccer and mentoring young athletes. He also volunteers with Every Step Hospice, where he has honored more than 25 veteran patients through veteran pinning ceremonies. Jordan’s commitment to service and mentorship continues to make a lasting impact on veterans, youth, and families throughout his community.
The 2026 Sponsor Relations Intern, Haley Van Zee, did an incredible job assisting the Sponsorship Director this year. She organized signage, concert tickets, move-in and move-out coordination, and space mapping. Haley also stocked merchandise booths and helped keep our operations running smoothly throughout the Fair.
From the very start, Haley took on anything that needed to be done - from laying engraved bricks and creating the merchandise manual to connecting with donors from across the state. As the summer went on, Haley’s quiet personality shined even brighter. Her willingness to jump in and help wherever needed made a difference. Thank you, Haley, for all your hard work!
Fairgoers probably saw Haley stocking the State Fair Store with the newest game. Iowa State Fair FAIROPOLY is a family-friendly board game that transforms favorite Fair traditions into a property-trading experience.
Players circle the board, discover beloved vendors, explore new favorites, and build their own Fair empire. Each turn brings a new surprise - from advancing to JR’s SouthPork Ranch and winning the Mullet Competition to losing a turn after a stop at Lost & Found. The game also features Iowa State Fair trivia throughout. It would make the perfect gift for an Iowa State Fair-loving family!
The game features many historic buildings throughout the Fairgrounds, including the livestock barns. The Blue Ribbon Foundation’s “Back the Barns” fundraising campaign continues to gain momentum, supporting important improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds’ livestock facilities.
Phase II of the Horse Barn included a new concrete floor with radiant heat, relocated offices, an interior wash rack area, portable stalls, a fire suppression system, and enhanced ventilation throughout the facility. The first phase of improvements to the Cattle Barn included construction of a new electrical distribution building on the north side, providing dedicated space for electrical equipment and storage. Stay tuned for more details about plans for the Swine Barn!
Blue Ribbon Foundation staff and interns are running all over the Fairgrounds, but there is one major perk - we get to check out some of the best Fair foods along the way! With all those steps, we definitely deserve some delicious grub!
