Bask in Fun ‘Fair Sweet Fair’ Experiences with Choose Iowa on the 2025 Iowa State Fair

Choose Iowa might be highlighted all through the 2025 Iowa State Fair

by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

 

DES MOINES, Iowa (July 31, 2025) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig welcomes Iowa State Fairgoers to take pleasure in enjoyable ‘Fair Sweet Fair’ experiences with Choose Iowa in the course of the annual 11-day occasion slated for Aug. 7 by way of Aug. 17 in Des Moines. 

Choose Iowa, a advertising and marketing initiative of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, is the state’s signature model for Iowa grown, made, and raised meals, drinks, and ag merchandise. The Department, the Iowa State Fair, Choose Iowa members and different companions might be that includes Choose Iowa by way of occasions, contests, promotions, and giveaways all through the period of the 2025 truthful.

“Choose Iowa will once again be highly visible at the 2025 Iowa State Fair, showcasing the best of Iowa grown, made, and raised food, beverages and ag products. Fairgoers can immerse themselves in the excitement with interactive contests, live cooking demos featuring Iowa ingredients, exclusive giveaways, a free photo booth, local beverages, and so much more,” mentioned Secretary Naig. “Whether you live on a farm or in a city, the Iowa State Fair offers something for everyone to connect with our state’s rich agricultural heritage. Join us to indulge in a ‘Fair Sweet Fair’ experience with Choose Iowa at this year’s fair.” 

Fair attendees have a number of alternatives to learn about Choose Iowa and try Iowa grown, made and raised food and beverages during the 2025 Iowa State Fair:

Choose Iowa Favorite Fair Food Contest

The “Choose Iowa Favorite Fair Food” contest will rejoice meals made utilizing elements sourced from Iowa. This yr, 30 distributors have entered the competition, a rise from 20 a yr in the past. Fairgoers might be invited to vote for his or her favourite truthful meals that includes Iowa elements in the course of the Iowa State Fair till 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13. The successful meals vendor might be acknowledged on August 15 when the Iowa State Fair’s Best New Food is introduced. A map displaying all of the meals areas that includes Iowa elements might be posted on the Iowa State Fair web site and cellular app. More particulars might be out there on the Choose Iowa website. 

 

The Kitchen: Choose Iowa Presents…

Looking free of charge meals samples on the truthful? Choose Iowa will current free cooking demonstrations and meals shows every day at 1 p.m. in The Kitchen contained in the Maytag Family Theatre Building. The Kitchen is positioned on the Grand Concourse between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) constructing and the Barksdale’s State Fair Cookies constructing. Over the 11 days, the free line-up will characteristic greater than 25 Choose Iowa members in addition to award-winning culinary professionals from throughout Iowa. The complete line-up, with particulars concerning the cooks and the Choose Iowa members sourcing elements, is out there on the Choose Iowa Facebook page. 

• Thursday, August 7: Lamb & The Home Garden  

• Friday, August 8: Pork to Plate

• Saturday, August 9: Dill Pickle Lemonade

• Sunday, August 10: Beef, Through the Eyes and Taste of the Caribbean

• Monday, August 11: Edible Flowers and Creative Ways to Use Them

• Tuesday, August 12: Bread, and Cheese, and Wine, Oh My!

• Wednesday, August 13: Sweet Corn Beyond the Cob

• Thursday, August 14: Perfect Pairings with Artisanal Honey and Specialty Cheeses

• Friday, August 15: Bringing Bison to the Table: Everyday ways to Enjoy an American Icon

• Saturday, August 16: Meal Prepping with Chicken: Making the Most of the Whole Bird

• Sunday, August 17: All-Iowa Shrimp Boil

 

Choose Iowa Coloring Calendar Recognition

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will acknowledge 16 Iowa college students whose art work is included within the 2025-2026 Choose Iowa Coloring Calendar. The ceremony might be held within the Agriculture Building at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12. The free calendar might be out there to the general public, whereas provides final, on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s cubicles within the Agriculture Building and the Varied Industries Building. A digital model of the calendar will even be out there on ChooseIowa.com.

 

Choose Iowa Day at Blue Ribbon Kids Club

Choose Iowa and Hansen Dairy, a Choose Iowa member, would be the star at Kids’ Club on Friday, August 8 at 10:00 a.m. Blue Ribbon Kids’ Club offers kids an opportunity to see the Fair from a novel perspective. The free occasion will happen at Fun Forest Stage, positioned simply southeast of the Agriculture Building. Children will get to fulfill a farmer and be taught what a dairy farmer does every day. There might be a dwell demonstration to assist youngsters be taught extra about dairy cows and the way farmers take care of them. Kids will even make their very own butter and get to style it on the finish of the present.

 

Choose Iowa on Tap on the Craft Beer Tent

Yield of Dreams corn lager might be on faucet on the Iowa Craft Beer Tent. Brewed utilizing Iowa corn, the beer represents a partnership between Choose Iowa, Iowa Corn, the Iowa Brewers Guild, and Confluence Brewing Company.

 

Choose Iowa within the Elwell Family Food Center

Choose Iowa is the sponsor of the Elwell Family Food Center all through the 11-day Iowa State Fair. Fairgoers can decide up details about the Choose Iowa program, join the free digital Choose Iowa Passport, and in addition obtain a free “What’s in Season” magnet.

 

Choose Iowa within the Agriculture Building 

When you cease within the Agriculture Building to see the world-famous butter cow and get your egg on a stick, search for the Choose Iowa banners within the middle of the constructing. Fairgoers can go to a photograph sales space and get a free “Picture Yourself in Iowa Agriculture” photograph after deciding on from quite a few enjoyable ag backgrounds. There will even be informational banners about Iowa agriculture with enjoyable details about commodities and merchandise produced in Iowa. Fairgoers can even decide up a free commemorative Choose Iowa cup and a free Choose Iowa Coloring Calendar whereas provides final.

 

Choose Iowa within the Varied Industries Building

Fairgoers visiting the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s sales space within the Varied Industries Building to get their “Official Fair Weight” can even find out about Choose Iowa. Fairgoers can decide up a free commemorative Choose Iowa cup and a free Choose Iowa Coloring Calendar whereas provides final.

 

Learn extra about Choose Iowa by visiting ChooseIowa.com.