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That’s a wrap! Scenes from the 2026 Central Iowa Fair

PHOTO BY DORIS DAY Country music legend Sammy Kershaw capped off the Central Iowa Fair with a headlining performance after Sierra Griggs opened the show for him on Saturday night.
Elizabeth Crandon, right, assists with the Create-a-Chain Reaction game inside the Activities Building at the Central Iowa Fair.
A group of children enjoys some downtime in the sandbox during the Central Iowa Fair.
The Central Iowa Fair was so much fun, even the dogs enjoyed it.
The Kid Land area with inflatables and more remained popular throughout the week.
Marshall County 4-Hers pose for a photo near the activity building at the Central Iowa Fair last week.
The University of Iowa AirCare helicopter flew in for an event on Thursday afternoon, offering fairgoers a chance to learn more about how they operate. Pictured are Christopher Doyle, Tanner Wolken, Amy Gehrke and Kristin Askren.
After the color run at the racetrack, participants headed over to wash off at the foam party on Wednesday night.
The annual Color Run offered kids an opportunity to get some exercise and spray a fresh coat of paint on their clothes Wednesday night.
A mud volleyball tournament during the Central Iowa Fair brought many teams to the fairgrounds. Three courts were created in the parking field and filled with water.
Tim Garrett, with the Notorious D.I.G. team, hits the ball back over the net during the Central Iowa Fair mud volleyball tournament. His team were the victors against the opposing Kiss My Ace team.
Max Sawyer of Marshalltown dives for the ball during the mud volleyball tournament at the Central Iowa Fair. He was a Kiss My Ace team member.
Players take their turns during the dart tournament in the Exhibit Building during the Central Iowa Fair. It started Friday and lasted through Saturday.
Zachary Brensel wins an arm wrestling match against Devin Derry during the Central Iowa Fair tournament on Friday. Rather than participants grabbing each other’s hands, they competed against one another via an arm wrestling machine.
The Marshall County Cattlemen served hamburgers next to the Big Top Tent on Friday as Republican Lt. Gov. candidate Derek Wulf and District 4 Congressional hopeful Chris McGowan spoke to the Pachyderm Club.

Another exciting edition of the Central Iowa Fair wrapped up on Saturday with a host of events including a mud volleyball tournament, livestock shows and a headlining concert from country music legend Sammy Kershaw. The T-R captured photos from all four days of the event and is already anxiously awaiting next year’s fair.

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