Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 17th of August.
Good morning, Des Moines.
🏘️ Community
At the Iowa State Fair, 16 Special Olympics athletes partnered with 4-H and FFA mentors to show pigs and earn blue ribbons in the Bacon Buddies program.
Now in its sixth year—active in nearly 50 county fairs, the event boosts community inclusion and skill-sharing for participants.
Maverick and Coca-Cola hosted a record-chasing pizza party at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Aug.
16, drawing about 1,500 pizza fans — the attempt fell short of the world record held by Taste of New Haven.
The Iowa State Fair held the Louise Piper Memorial Green Tomato Pie competition on Aug.
16 at the Food Center in Des Moines to honor longtime judge Louise Piper—who passed away last year. Her daughter Alison Moon spoke at the event.
At the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, over 13,000 hard boiled eggs on a stick were given out on Thursday, Aug.
13 due to heavy rain, and the council plans to share 170,000 eggs over 11 days — any surplus will be donated to local food pantries.
🎭 Culture
Belle Werner of Tama County was crowned 2026 Iowa State Fair Queen at the Fair on Saturday, Aug.
15 in Des Moines, where 103 contestants from county fairs competed for the title.
Country singer Lainey Wilson broke the Iowa State Fair Grandstand ticket record by selling 17,360 tickets during her Sunday night performance+ she surpassed Chris Stapleton’s 17,320 tickets sold in 2021 since the 2018 renovation.
The Red Clay Strays played at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand on Saturday, Aug.
15, delivering an energetic set mixing Southern grit with Americana soul — a key show of their Grateful tour that featured new album tracks and fan favorites.
The Iowa Egg Council celebrates 20 years of tradition by offering free eggs on a stick at the Iowa State Fair — a treat that fairgoers have enjoyed over time.
On Saturday, Aug. 15, the Iowa State Fair drew 125,067 visitors, 6,613 more than last year, and the event runs until Sunday, Aug.
23.
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