A New Documentary About the Iowa State Fair is Coming Soon

We're just a few weeks away from the 2023 Iowa State Fair, and Iowa PBS is celebrating with a new documentary!

According to the official website, Our Great State Fair is a two-hour documentary that will tell the story of the Iowa State Fair, "Iowa's annual showcase of its best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement, and its biggest celebration." The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation says that the program will dive into "the stories that set it apart from any other fair, and shows how the event brings people together for eleven unforgettable days each year."

The first ever Iowa State Fair took place in 1854 in Fairfield, Iowa. Wikipedia reports that the event's budget was around $323, which is $11,694.41 in today's money. The fair hopped around from town to town until it was permanently moved to Des Moines in 1878. It has been at its current location at East 30th Street and East University Avenue since 1886. The Iowa State Fair is famous for its food, entertainment, competitions, political platforms, and, of course, the Butter Cow!

Our Great State Fair will debut on Iowa PBS on August 1st, but Iowans can check out an early screening of the documentary on Thursday, July 20th at the Oman Family Youth Inn. Iowa PBS has teamed up with the Blue Ribbon Foundation for a special premiere with corndogs, popcorn, and cups of cookies. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online HERE.

This year's Iowa State Fair is coming up August 10th through 20th! You can get all the info you need on the event HERE.