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DES MOINES -- Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is inviting fairgoers to get into the "Fair Spirit" Choose Iowa during the 2026 Iowa State Fair, Aug. 13-23 in Des Moines. As an official sponsor of the Iowa State Fair, Choose Iowa will showcase the people, food, agriculture and traditions that make Iowa special through events, activities and experiences across the Fairgrounds.
Choose Iowa, a marketing initiative of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, is the state's signature brand for Iowa grown, Iowa made and Iowa raised food, beverages and agricultural products. Choose Iowa continues to grow, now nearly 360 members statewide representing farms, food and beverage businesses, processors, horticulture and other Iowa entrepreneurs.
Fairgoers will have numerous opportunities to experience Choose Iowa throughout the 2026 Iowa State Fair:
• Choose Iowa Favorite Fair Food Contest
The Choose Iowa Favorite Fair Food Contest makes eating local easy by highlighting fair food menu items made using ingredients sourced from Iowa. This year, a record 37 Iowa State Fair vendors are participating. Fairgoers will be invited to cast their votes for their favorite fair food featuring Iowa ingredients using signage at participating food stands through 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 19. The food stand with the winning Choose Iowa Favorite Fair Food will be recognized on Aug. 21, when the Iowa State Fair's Best New Food is announced.
• The Kitchen: Choose Iowa Presents...
Choose Iowa will present free cooking demonstrations and food presentations daily at 1 p.m. in The Kitchen inside the Maytag Family Theatre Building. Best of all, fairgoers can enjoy free samples while learning new ways to prepare and enjoy Iowa grown and raised ingredients. The Kitchen is located on the Grand Concourse between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources building and Barksdale's State Fair Cookies. Choose Iowa members, chefs and culinary professionals from across Iowa will be featured throughout the 11-day Fair.
Aug. 13 -- "Meal Prepping with Chicken: Making the Most of the Whole Bird"
Aug. 14 -- "Drink Your Greens! Berry Fresh Smoothie Secrets with Fresh Wheatgrass Girl"
Aug. 15 -- "Home Grown Bites: Granola Bars with Iowa Ingredients"
Aug. 16 -- "So You Think You Know Corn?"
Aug. 17 -- "Shrimp and Grits: An Iowa Twist on a Southern Classic"
Aug. 18 -- "The All Iowa Meal"
Aug. 19 -- "Pork to Plate"
Aug. 20 -- "Learn to Cook with Iowa Ingredients"
Aug. 21 -- "Liquid Gold: Cooking with Beef Tallow"
Aug. 22 -- Old-Fashioned Iowa Apple Pie
Aug. 23 -- "Farm-to-Table Sourdough Pizza"
• Farm to Fair - America's Picnic
Choose Iowa will present Farm to Fair - America's Picnic from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 16 at Alliant Energy Landing.
• Tips for Starting a Farm Stand
Choose Iowa Director Beth Romer will share practical tips and information during "Tips for Starting a Farm Stand" at noon on Aug. 14, with Laura Cunningham, of SkyView Market, co-presenting and at 2 p.m. on Aug. 18 with Ashley Recknor, of Purple Ribbon Beef, co-presenting in the new All-Iowa Classroom in the Maytag Building.
• Iowa State Fair Farmers Market
Fairgoers can shop local and take a taste of Iowa home by visiting the Iowa State Fair Farmers Market near Gate 15. Open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Aug. 13-22, the Farmers Market will feature locally grown fruits and vegetables, meat, fresh-cut flowers, jerky, handmade soaps and other Iowa products.
• Choose Iowa on Tap
Fairgoers can raise a glass to Iowa agriculture with the 2026 Yield of Dreams corn lager at the Iowa Craft Beer Tent.
Learn more about Choose Iowa and its activities at the 2026 Iowa State Fair by visiting ChooseIowa.com.