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♪ ♪ Hello and welcome to our coverage of Fair 2025!# I’m Bill Riley, and as we head into these final moments of the fair, we’re reminded that# what really makes this place shine isn’t just the food or the fun.

it’s the people.# And tonight, we’re spending time with folks who bring the spirit of the fair to life.

We’ll head into the swine barn with some determined 4-Hers and see what it takes to# show pigs at the highest level.

Then, it’s pure muscle and precision as competitors engage# in a fair tradition that’s all about old-school skill.

And we’ll step into the brand-new# Conservation Discovery Area at the DNR Building.

But first, we’re easing into the# evening with a little Goat Yoga.

Yes, real goats.

Real yoga.

And# some seriously happy fairgoers.

♪ ♪ [Instructor] And bring it back up to tabletop.

And we're# going to do the same thing on the other side.

So stick that left hand through that keyhole.# We're going to take our hands back down to the mat.

I want you to leave your left hand# planted.

We're going to come into a modified side plank.

So our left hand is planted, left knee# is down.

You can lift that right leg if you like.

[Tami Bingham] There's just a lot of noise# around.

Just noise from the barn.

The goats are going crazy.

We've got music, there's people# talking.

It's just a loud atmosphere.

So to be able to get everybody engaged is, I would# probably say, the most challenging part.

♪ ♪ After our first Goat Yoga numerous years ago,# .. the best part is just getting the animals that# after I have a session that I think that I like.

[Nicole Bandstra] It was so much fun.

The# goats are so cute.

And I was not expecting the yoga to be as, like, advanced as it was,# but it was a lot of fun.

It was a good stretch.

♪ ♪ [Instructor] All right, then we're going to# .. you can press those hips# forward, bring your hands up.

[Stacy Koenigs] It was really fun.

It was just fun# to have the goats walking around and interacting.

And I love yoga.

It was a little different with# goats kind of coming by, but it was really fun.

♪ ♪ Just a fun interaction with the animals.# I mean, I'm not us.. and so they were very friendly.

One# tried to get my shirt a little bit, but just all in fun.

So I think# they were having a good time, too.

[Woman 1] It was so much fun to# just play with the goats and pet them and to just get a little mini# workout in while you're at the fair.

[Instructor] Up and under your# armpits.

Take your right leg, press it up into a hip circle.

Nice# and slow.

Press up, out and around.

[Tami] Goat yoga, or any of the barnyard yogas# at.. people that have never done yoga before.# There's people that are amazing at yoga, way better than I am at yoga.

There's kids.# We've had bachelorette parties.

It's kind of for everyone, like grandmas, kids,# everybody.

It's just a fun, fun event.

♪ ♪ [Paul Yeager] These 4-Hers are penned over.

They are getting# ready to be the best in their class.

We are at the 4-H Swine Show.

We have both pure and crossbred# on the docket for today.

They're getting ready to find out what the judge thinks here and see if# they are some of the best at the Iowa State Fair.

What'd you just win?

[Kambria Donscheski] Grand# Cham.. [Paul] What's that mean to you?

[Kambria] It means a lot to me.

[Paul] Why do you think that you won?

[Kambria] After all the hard work and that it looks good out there and was# walking and presented well.

[Paul] What'd the judge tell you after you won?

[Kambria] Congrats.

I wasn't listening.# I was just in the moment, kinda.

[Paul] What's that moment like?# Describe that moment for me.

[Kambria] Excited, happy, thrilled that all my hard work's finally# paying off after all the years showing.

[Paul] Tell me what the hard work is.

Because not# everybody understands what it is you go through.

[Kambria] Late nights in the barns,# getting yelled at some nights, just really, just a lot of making sure# they get walked every day, twice a day, tanned every single day, washed everything you can# think of.

They have to get done every single day.

[Paul] All right.

When I watch you in the ring, what am I watching in your brain?# What's being said in your mind?

[Kambria] Oh, probably me just being# nervous out there the whole time.

[Paul] You don't look nervous# when you're out there.

You are.

[Kambria] Yeah, I'm very# nervous when I'm out there.

[Judge] More importantly, she's the# loosest, longest heel, most athletic.

[Paul] What did it mean to go# from reserve to grand this year?

[Addison Blauwet] It just made me really# happy just to finally get that top spot.

[Paul] And your support group, who helps you?

[Addison] My dad and my brothers are always# helping me and encouraging me to do my best.

[Paul] Tell me what it is you're trying# to do in the ring when you're looking at the judge and looking up and helping your animal.

[Addison] Well, I'm just trying to see if the# judge wants me to do something, if it wants me to drive it forward or go to the side or if# he wants me to go get penned up or something.

[Paul] What'd you just win?

[Madison Gent] Commercial breeding gilt.

[Paul] What was that like to win?

[Madison] It was very good.# It felt really good to win.

[Paul] Did you think that this was a strong# possibility when you woke up this morning?

[Madison] I kind of felt like I'd do# pretty well with her.

I was hoping I'd catch a pen but it really# shocked me winning the division.

[Paul] What's her name?

[Madison] Avery.

[Paul] Tell me about A.. [Madison] Avery is very good.

She really listens.

She's just really special.# She has a great personality.

[Paul] Is that important in a# hog or something?

And an animal?

[Madison] Yeah.

If they have a good personality, I feel like they listen better,# respond to the whip better.

[Paul] What's it like showing# at the Iowa State Fair?

[Madison] It's really great.# It's super special to be here.

[Paul] When the judge penned you the first# time and you won your class.

Describe the emotion difference between then and# then walking out with the big purple.

[Madison] It was really cool.# I don't know.

There's, like, not a whole lot of words to# it.

It was just really great.

[Paul] Do you remember anything the judge said?

[Madison] No.

♪ ♪ [Hayley] Outside.. of Paul Bunyan himself.

Lumberjacks and Jills will# compete in seven categories of wood chopping and sawing, each aiming to prove they're a cut above# the rest.

Let's see who's carving out a win today.

[Emcee] Ready, set, go.

[Hayley] And what are we here today for?

[Lucas Monson] We're here for# the Heritage Timber Sports event.

[Hayley] And tell me a little bit about that.

As a first timer that knows absolutely# nothing, give me a little rundown.

[Lucas] We always start with the# axe.

The chopping, most dangerous, most skill.

It's about precision,# strength and speed.

Cut it once, you don't have to cut it again.

Hopefully# you don't cut yourself.

From there, there's three specific styles of bow saws.

Buck# saws, crosscut saws.

Crosscut saws are the five or six foot long ones.

Bow saws are the smaller# ones more people are familiar with.

Buck saws are more of a traditional style, with the# tensioner located at the top of the blade.

[Hayley] What are your tips and# tricks for first timers if they want to get involved with this for the first time?

[Erin Hefner] Just go right in there# and try it.

And as far as the saw, hold on loosely but don't let go.

If# you hold too tight, you lose control.

[Hayley] I like that.

That's good.

[Erin] The bow saw is the lightest and then# they get bigger and heavier, being steady, keeping the bow straight, pulling# as opposed to pushing.

Literally, if you hold on too tight, the blade# wobbles and goes all over the place.

[Emcee] First place goes to Erin.

Congratulations.

[Hayley] Now, as a first timer who's never done# it before, what tips or tricks do you have for me?

[Lucas] Start slow, stay consistent,# and then you can build up speed from there.

There'll be plenty of# us up there cheering you on.

[Onlookers] Go.

Yep.

Keep it moving.

Breathe.

[Hayley] And what do you enjoy# about competing in this competition?

[Erin] I like how we have all the camaraderie.# Everybody encourages one another to borrow or use each other's equipment.

It's# very encouraging and positive.

[Hayley] And what do you enjoy about it?

Why# do you keep coming back for more every year?

[Lucas] It's like a family reunion, like# we all see each other.

We're talking this year about finally exchanging contact# information so we know who's coming back when.

[Hayley] Why do you two compete?

[Landra Rundlett] Well, we started competing after# Dakota did the beard contest a couple years ago and we've just been doing it ever since.

It's# really fun.

You compete with the same people so you get to see them once a year and just have some# camaraderie and some fun, friendly competition.

[Dakota] We've been doing it for# four years.

We make a good team, and that's why we got married last year.

[Hayley] And how did you two meet?

[Landra] We actually met by talking about the# state fair.

So I told Dakota that we coul.. the king and queen of Pioneer Hall.# And here we are with all our ribbons.

[Hayley] We had a super fun day today at# the timber sports.

If you haven't tried it or haven't watched, I highly recommend# going next year.

And it's always a great day at the Iowa State Fair when you go home# with a ribbon, even if it's 7th place.

♪ ♪ you might have spotted someone who’s# no stranger to fair competitions - Ann Hegstrom.

Ann throws herself into the fair with# heart, humor and a whole lot of creativity.

♪ ♪ [Ann Hegstrom] I just love the fair.

The# fair is just.. is things I love.

I love going to look at the# 4-H exhibits to see how those kids are doing.

Of course you have to go see the Butter Cow.# That's something you have to do every year.

The food, the people are fun to talk with.# What's not to like?

Except maybe the heat.

I come every day to the fair.# I work every day at the fair, but I come early so I can do all# the contests and see the fair.

Good morning, Nick.

[Nick] How’s it going?

[Ann] We're great.

I need some coffee and a donut.

I come early in the morning, get my breakfast,# my coffee, all that, early in the morning.

Yes.

Look at this.

[Nick] Look at that.

I love it.

[Ann] When the fair first opens on Thursday# morning, they have a history tour.

For that I'm planning on wearing kind of a historical map# of the United States and a vintage Iowa flag.

[Tour Guide] The Agriculture# Building is still home to one of our most beloved Iowa State Fair# icons, which would be the Butter Cow.

[Crowd] The Butter Cow.

[Ann] Because I go everywhere all the time, I# ..

I have to decide what I'm going to wear# for every day at the fair and for every contest that I participate in.

The best# part about a fair outfit is the fact that people notice it.

People recognize me and# go, remember me, and they'll talk to me.

I do a lot of the heritage contests# because I want to make sure that they continue.

So part of that is they're fun.

But# I also want to be enthusiastic about it and have other people come and join.

It's the# chicken calling, it's the husband calling, it's the kids telling jokes.

The cow chip throwing# contest and the rubber chicken throwing contest.

Those are all part of the heritage ones and# the fun.

I hope people just always want to come do it all.

That's a part of the fair that# I hope will continue forever.

When I go up on stage for a chicken calling, I'm wearing a# feather boa, and I'm ready to do my yell.

Yeeee!

And they laugh.

And that's the best part of# it.

But I really came to the.. through my husband's eyes.

He always# went to all the ag buildings and had to watch all the contests.

And so# that became part of my life, too.

And he spent a lot of time at the wood# carvers contest.

He loved to talk to those guys.

He was a farmer.

He did,# like, a little bit of everything.

And then suddenly he had an accident and# he couldn’t do any of it anymore.

So this is one of the ways that he could# still vicariously enjoy part of Iowa.

And so every year, I make sure that# I honor that somehow, some way.

[Judge] Good job.

[Ann] Thank you.

[Judge] Congratulations.

[Ann] One day at the fair is overwhelming.# It's hard to do everything that you want to do.

That's the advantage of when I come every# day for work and I come early.

I could just do bite sized portions of the fair.

And then# it's just really fun and you're not worn out.

[Camera Operator] I'm slowing# you down, aren't I Ann?

♪ ♪ [Kayla Lyon] So welcome to the DNR Building.

Wh.. they naturally think about the# aquarium.

That is kind of our flagship.

The aquarium itself has about# 40 different species of fish on display.

We bring about 200 and some fish in for# the week to show off the fisheries across the state of Iowa.

And it's actually the# original DNR Building at the state fair.

And next year it will be 100 years old.# We wanted to create a new experience where Iowans could come and learn about some of# our state parks and have an interactive experience.

And so this last year, we# built a new structure here showcasing two of our flagship parks.

We have Maquoketa# Caves State Park and Pilot Knob State Park.

So over 15 weeks, we had a contractor# in here building both the cave and the tower.

There's about 20,000 pounds of# concrete and 5,000 pounds of steel here, and 13 family members actually worked on# it together.

So it's been really cool.

[Child 1] Look at the enclosure.

[Kayla] So as you walk into the cave, you'll# experience sounds of a cave.

It looks like it's wet like a cave.

There's the stalactites# in there.

We've got some creatures in there, including some bats and a skink.

And then# there's also a smaller cave that kids can crawl into.

And sometimes we have a# little trouble getting the kids out, but it's really cool.

It feels like you're# in a cave at Maquoketa Cave State Park.

♪ ♪ Look down and you'll see the little# cave that you can go through, but then also look up.

You're going to# see bats, you're going to see lights, you're going to see all kinds of little nooks# and crannies that feel like the inside of a cave.

So in the floor we have a river scene.

And then# also there's a couple of cutout spots where next year we're going to bring in creatures and# put them in the floor so you can walk over the top of them.

So it'd be an experience# like you're going over the top of a stream.

We also have a backdrop from another# one of our flagship state parks, Pikes Peak, and it shows Bridal Falls, and that's the waterfall that you can see# in the park at Pikes Peak in Northeast Iowa.

We also have a shooting range# experience where kids and adults alike can come and do archery.

We also# have programming throughout the week, three times a day, so folks can come out# and learn about opportunities outside.

This is going to be here for a while.

It was built# here.

It's concrete, it's heavy, it looks super cool.

It's visually appealing, it's interactive.# I'm a mom of two little kids and they loved it.

So I think it's also important to note that# it's ADA compliant, so you can take wheelchairs through there, you can take strollers through# there.

It's a very accessible opportunity.

♪ ♪ [Amanda Munson] This is the Older Iowans Cooki.. ♪ ♪ It's a great event for older Iowans here# today.

Anybody 60 and older can come right up.

They don't have to sign up beforehand.

They# can just show up and come decorate a cookie.

♪ ♪ It's free.

It's not something that they have# to sign up for like th..

They can just come and grab a cookie and# fill out their information and just get in line and set up and start decorating.

And# at the end, they turn the cookie in.

They can turn it in for judging and win an award.# Win a ribbon, which everybody's here for, right?

Blue ribbons in this building.

And# they can get a cookie to eat right away.

[Woman 1] I'm trying to do a fair# logo.

I don't know how it'll turn out.

You never know till the end.# So it's fun.

It's part of the fair.

[Amanda] So we have our buttercream that we# use at the store, and then they have a lot of different sprinkle options.

So some# rainbow sprinkles, some sanding sugar, all different colors, and then some# colored gels.

So we have a full array of the rainbow colors now that they can# use.

So, yeah, lots of different options.

We see so many creative things.

A lot of# times people go for fair themed cookies.

[Woman 2] I'm gonna need to get another tube.

[Amanda] It's so fun seeing what people can come# up with.

Well, I will say there's a gentleman that comes every year, and I'm sure he'll be here# this year.

And he comes with some tweezers.

[Don Francois] The first one, they# did about, what, six years ago, I happened to have my little Swiss army# knife in my pocket cause I couldn't.

I said, “How are you supposed to get the colors you# want?” So then I said, “Oh, I have a little tweezer.” So I got it out of my Swiss pocket.# So now I think they call me the Tweezer Man.

[Amanda] He meticulously uses the sprinkles# and will place them in the most, like, beautiful designs.

And he blows us away# every year.

So very impressive.

With, like, corn kernels or, like,# corn on the cob.

It's amazing.

[Don] I didn't have an idea for this year yet# until I was walking from the Ag Building to here, and I went by one of the vendor stands# and they had this ear of corn on the sign.

I said, “That's what I'll do.”# I got a couple ideas to make it pop a little more yet maybe.

Or it# might ruin it.

Who knows, right?

[Amanda] I like just seeing# the fun that people have, the looks on their faces, the# enjoyment that they get out of it.

[Woman 3] It's a tree with a swing.

[Amanda] Being creative and having# fun.

That they have their grandkids, their grandkids can come and# join them and they love it.

♪ ♪ [Bill Riley] Think you’ve got# what it take.. at the fair?

These contestants proved# they do.

Here are the latest results.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [Bill Riley] We’re stepping away for just a moment—but# stick around, because we’re only getting started.

Still ahead, more fair# stories you won’t want to miss.

Some fierce competition at the Ladies’ Rubber# Chicken Throwing Contest.

Advanced Vet Camp, where future animal experts get# hands-on experience.

And a world record attempt from the Iowa Lottery—tons# of people, one unforgettable moment.

We’ll be right back with more# fair fun—only on Iowa PBS.

♪ ♪ [Hayley Schaefer] What's a pro tip for# people.. [Woman 1] Oh, definitely.

Comfortable shoes.# I brought my fan along.

Anything to stay cool.

[Hayley] And what would you# recommend people wear to the fair?

[Man 1] I told him, I said black shirt.

I# wish you could pan over there, but my buddy, he's got a black shirt on.

Don't sweat through# a gray shirt.

Absolutely no gray shirts.

[Hayley] If you got lost at the# state fair, what would you do?

[Child 1] Find a cop.

[Teen 1] Or a nice citizen around here.

There's a lot of nice people around here.# I'm pretty sure they would help.

[Hayley] I think so too.

[Child 2] If you're, like, getting lost, you just gotta, like, look for# what your parents were wearing.

[Hayley] Good call.

[Child 3] And you also have to like.

you can also# go tell somebody who works at the state fair.

[Hayley] What is something you would recommend people do not do or something they# should not wear to the state fair?

[Woman 2] High heels.

[Man 2] A mullet.

[Hayley] A mullet.

(Laughter) [Woman 3] Definitely don't wear sandals.# Wear.. be moving around the whole day and# getting over 10,000 steps, probably.

♪ ♪ [Bill Riley] Now, there are a lot# of contests at the Fair that take serious skill and strategy, and# then there’s this one.

It’s loud, it’s silly, and it’s a fan favorite —the# Ladies’ Rubber Chicken Throwing Contest.

♪ ♪ [Blair Ryan] We're about to find out which one of these ladies can fling their# featherless fowl the furthest.

♪ ♪ We have three sisters here with us# today that all participated in the Rubber Chicken Throwing Competition.# Who was the winner of the sisters?

How far did you throw it?

[Tammy Toth] I think around 49.

I'm not sure.

[Blair] Are you all rooting for each# other or do you have a bet on a winner?

[Barbara] Oh, no, we're all rooting# for each other.

We always have.

[Lisa Hauenstein] I'm not.

She's probably gonna# win, but I want to beat her.

I'm gonna practice.

[Blair] You have a year to gear up.

[Lisa] Yes.

I never threw a chicken before.

[Blair] Hey, there's a first time for everything.

[Barbara Pieklo] My first time.# Now I know how to do it.

Okay.

[Blair] Yeah.

Tell us.

What's the trick?

[Barbara] Well, yeah, she.

[Lisa] ..hit her wheel.

[Barbara] It’s her .. [Blair] Absolutely.

Blame your sister.

Good.

[Barbara] I probably only threw it 8 feet.

[Blair] Mine would have gone behind me, so.

♪ ♪ [Emcee] I do want to say thank you for# coming out.

It's a little bit warm, but it's a beautiful day at the Iowa State# Fair, and this is always a fun contest.

♪ ♪ [Antoinette Norris Woodson] I'm here visiting# .. and she told me before I came.

She's like, “Mom,# we have to do the chicken throw.” I was like, “What the devil is a chicken throw?” I was# like, “Well, I just had my shoulder replaced, so I can't throw overhand yet.” She's like,# “No, mom, you'll be great because.” I played basketball, so she was like, “Okay, you can# do it.” So I just got as much weight in there as I could.

It was the first time I've ever# thrown one, and I got 55.

I was like, whoop, whoop.

♪ ♪ [Bonnie] Roy.

Roy, can you hear me?

You get# yourself in here right now.

Come on.

[Narrator] At the Iowa State Fair,# certain voices rise above the crowd, and one of the most unforgettable ones# belongs to Bonnie Swalwell Eilert.

[Bonnie] Roy.

Roy.

Roy.

Roy.

Roy.

Royyyyyy!

[Narrator] A loyal contestant in just# about ev.. She'd take the mic with confidence,# charm, and a little bit of mischief.

[Bonnie] My husband said to me,# “You're not going to do that, Bonnie.

You're not.

Oh, please don't do it.”# I said, “I'm going to do it.” I defied him, and I won first.

So after# that, he's gung ho for me.

Roy!

[Regina Pirtle] She was a very colorful person.# She always came - if it was chicken calling, she would have a chicken hat on.

If it was# hog calling, she would have a pig on her head.

[Reporter] Bonnie Swalwell Eilert of rural# Newton is the winner of the Chicken Calling Contest.

And Bonnie, aside from dressing up for# the occasion, how did you prepare for this event?

[Bonnie] I don't know, it just# comes natural because my parents were farmers.

I married a farmer, and it# just is natural.

We always had chickens.

[Regina] She had a lot of energy.

She# was very competitive.

When she got up to the microphone, she knew# what she wanted to produce.

[Bonnie] Come on, girls.

You know# mommy wants to make an angel food cake.

[Narrator] Bonnie's love for the# fair went far beyond the stage.

[Regina] She did the hymn sing in the log church, and her husband actually created some stained# glass windows for Pioneer Hall.

And she was quite proud of that and felt very happy to# be able to donate that to the fairgrounds.

[Reporter] And why did you decide to# enter the rubber chicken throwing contest?

[Bonnie] I have done it for years.

I never# get any place.

But I always think, well, I better do it again this year because they're# going to wonder where that little old lady's at.

I don't get very far.

But I love to do it, and the# people here love to have me do it, too, I think.

[Narrator] Bonnie passed away earlier this year, but her spirit will always be# part of the sound of the fair.

[Bonnie] Hurry up.

Get your# you know what out of that bed.

[Regina] First place for 2017,.

823.

She was a jewel, a gem, a many faceted gem.

♪ ♪ [Abby Brown] One thing's for sure.

There's# so..

Some of us love the big crowds, the big# sounds, the bright lights, and some of us don't.

This year, Sensory Friendly# Morning has even more fun opportunities.

♪ ♪ All right, Peter, tell me about# this very special playground.

[Peter Cownie] Well, we're very excited# about our new Variety Star Playground.

We were able to dedicate this playground at# opening ceremonies of the 2025 Iowa State Fair.

And we were able to do it because we received a# note last year, an email from the Hagerman family.

Kinsley Hagerman, who is handicapped, wasn't# able to experience the old playground, and it kind of ruined her# day at the Iowa State Fair.

And she called us to task for this.# And we were really proud to be able to build this new playground# this year because of that.

[Abby] Wait, and that was a letter from a child?

[Peter] Yeah, Little Kinsley.# It was really quite wonderful.

And this was a unique one for us because# we were able to partner with Variety, and they raised some of the money.

We raised some# of the money.

We were able to put together $700,000 for this beautiful new playground# for all fairgoers to enjoy.

And this is also, it's also kind of special because this is open# every day of the year outside of the fair, too.

So it's a neighborhood amenity now, too.

[Abby] What's the response been?

[Peter] Oh, it's been wonderful.

I think# it's great.

My own kids love it.

You know, everyone loves the surface.

It's twice# as big as the old playground.

The merry go round is really neat, and it's just been a# really special treat for the fair this year.

♪ ♪ [Abby] So, Jordan, tell me about# Sensory Friendly Morning.

[Jordan Juhl Marcon] So Sensory Friendly can look# like a couple different things.

What we try to do, we can't control everything, but to minimize# the distractions in the environment.

Taking on an event of this magnitude without knowing that there's assistance and understanding# can be really difficult for families.

So today, ChildServe and the Iowa State# Fair are saying, you're welcome every day, but we're here for you today, all day today,# to help you navigate this important event.

[Abby] Cindy, tell me about your family.

[Cindy Pommrehn] So our family is a# family of three.

Our son Aiden is 14, and he has Emanuel syndrome.

[ChildServe Staff] Nice,# Aiden.

That was awesome, buddy.

[Cindy] So this is just such a, I guess, is# just such a relief for us to have staff that are trained to have resources, to have# spaces that are appropriate for Aiden, to have activities that help him engage, because# he does have a lot of limitations, and those are ways that he can connect and enjoy something fun,# and then we, as a family, can enjoy that together.

[Abby] And truly, the Iowa# State Fair is for everyone.

[Cindy] Yes.

♪ ♪ [Bill Riley] The competition is# heating up as we.. final stretch on the Riley Stage.

Here are# the performers who made it through today.

Don’t forget the Talent Championships# this Sunday, August 17 at 8pm on Iowa PBS.

[Bill Riley] For many young Iowans, the fair# is more than just fun—it’s a place to learn and explore future careers.

We’re heading over# to Advanced Vet Camp, where students with a passion for animals get hands-on experience# and a real-world look at veterinary medicine.

[Brooke Kohlsdorf] We're here at the Jacobson# Center where students are getting a hands-on look at what it's like to work in the vet field.

It's# a chance for students who are interested in taking care of animals someday to get their gloves dirty# and ask lots of questions.

Let's go check it out.

[Heidi Mandt] We're running our Advanced Vet# Camp here today at the Jacobson Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

And we're running a few# different lab experiences for the students that are here at the vet camp.

So today it's some# middle school and high school students that are here right behind us.

They are dissecting# fetal pigs.

So lots of fun experiences.

In the other room they're doing kind of# like a blood sampling lab.

So giving them some really hands-on activities at a# look for what kind of the vet industry is like and different experiences within# like animal health and animal medicine.

[Instructor] The heart's gonna be# up here in the thoracic cavity.

[Heidi] Something they can just sign up for.

It's# free.

When the signups come out, the classes fill up really quickly.

But it's put on through the# education department at the Iowa State Fair.

[Instructor] So I would recommend# cutting into the abdomen first.

And here's why.

If you cut into the chest# first, you're going to get rid of that negative pressure.

And we don't know if# they had pathology in their chest or not.

[Brooke] What are you hoping that# kids learn and walk away with?

[Dr. Amy Fertig] Well, I hope they# learn a little bit more about the veterinary profession as a whole and what# veterinarians and veterinary technicians do on a daily basis when they're in# their clinics and doing their jobs.

[Brooke] It seems like they're# getting hands-on experience today.

[Dr. Fertig] Yes.

We try to make all of# our vetcamp stations very hands-on and very interactive for students.

So they aren't# just sitting, having people talk at them or lecture at them.

They're getting to roll up their# sleeves and get their hands dirty and vet med.

[Brooke] Describe what this is like.

[Marley Van Schoick] Gross, but also fascinating.

[Mariella McClellan] It's# disgusting to say the least.

[Brooke] Are you interested in# medicine someday, veterinary medicine?

[Marley] I am.

I would love to be a vet someday.

[Heidi] I hope they walk away first with some just fun memories and experiences of# something they could do at the fair.

[Dr. Fertig] Yep, fluid is normal.

[Heidi] But also hopefully to open their# minds and show them some visions of what their future could look like.

Maybe within the# animal industry or just within the agriculture industry as a whole.

Part of a big part of# my job that I do throughout the school year is helping kids kind of figure out what# their future looks like after school.

So maybe this camp can be kind of the start of thinking through what they# want to do for their careers.

[Izzy Duncan] So I've been in FFA and I# was a volunteer last year for it.

And so this year I was like, oh, I'll just, like,# help and be the manager because I've already been in it and helped with it.

So I was like,# I know what I'm doing, so I'll come and help.

[Heidi] They come, and then we just really# get going right away and they start digging in and asking questions and are really# curious about it.

So it's a really fun experience and something that helps them# kind of bond with other students as well, make some new friends and# make some fun memories, too.

[Instructor] You can still follow this# out a little bit, too, and kind of open it up where you can get these.. [Bill Riley] Behind the Blue Ribbon is a# new documentary that shares the personal stories behind the Iowa State Fair,# including Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons.

[Jeremy] Hello?

Good afternoon.

Hello, everybody.# In case you didn't know, we have a fair starting in less than a month.

Some of you# look excited and some of you look terrified.

(laughter) We're going to do two things today.

We're# going to.. year's fair and then we're going to talk# about ways we want you to be contagious, how we want you to spread the fair fever.

The Iowa State Fair when you# look at our mission statement, ultimately, it's a celebration of all the# very best things of Iowa.

We want to make sure we're a place that people want to be.

And# I think one of the ways we become that place, the place where people want to be, is that# they have a good experience while they're here.

The fair is not a prison.

What that means is none of them are required to be# here.

Every single fairgoer made a choice to come to the Iowa State Fair.

It's not a requirement.# In all reality, we could open the fair on August 8 and no one could show up.

It is not guaranteed.# The accounting department just fainted.

We have to be a place that every Iowan feels# like they are welcome.

We have to be that place.

That's our job.

We hope, though, that# when people come that they are able to see, again, those kids excelling at# the highest level.

They're able to see their neighbors showing off# some skill that you had no idea.

Or forget about everything during a Grandstand# concert.

We hope we provide those experiences, but yet still provide that commonplace.# And we hope that's what the fair provides.

Thank you for your time and we will see you, well# we'll see you around.

So, see you at the fair.

[Bill Riley] You can watch the full Behind the# Blue Ribbon documentary anytime at IowaPBS.org ♪ ♪ [Travis Graven] You occasionally run# into some lines at the fairgrounds, maybe waiting to see the butter cow or to buy one# of the popular new foods.

But this is a really, really long line, and it's full of people# waiting for a chance to win some cash, but also maybe be part of history.

The# Iowa Lottery is trying to set a new Guinness World Record for the most people# scratching off a scratch ticket at once.

♪ ♪ [Matt Strawn] Ah, Travis, I can't think of a better way to# celebrate 40 years of the Iowa Lottery.

When you think of that first ticket that was sold here# at the fairgrounds, Aug. 22, 1985.

For Iowans to show up and help us attempt to set a Guinness# World Record with scratch tickets 40 years later, I can't think of a better way to celebrate# 40 years of the Iowa Lottery giving back.

[Travis] Becky, why are you here?

[Becky Schneider] Because I feel# lucky and I brought my lucky pigs.

That's what I was gonna tell you.

Here# you go.

I give them out to people.

You take two and give one to someone# else.

Take three.

There you go.

[Travis] So you're feeling lucky today.

[Becky] Feeling lucky.

[Travis] Are you feeling# lu.. [Scott Duden] Absolutely.# Absolutely.

I'm always lucky.

[Travis] Are you a regular scratch ticket player?

[Scott] I am.

Well, not too many scratch# tickets.

More lotto.

The lotto.

I play that one.

[Travis] Are you feeling lucky today?

[Tanner Nygard] Yes, very lucky.

[Travis] Well, that's half the battle right there.

[Tanner] Yeah.

[Travis] And you can't.. [Tanner] Right.

Exactly.

[Travis] Now, if you won one of the# big prizes, you go.. [Tanner] Um, hmm.

Probably a new car.

[Travis] What would you do if# you won one of the big prizes?

[Becky] That is a really good question.# Um, enjoy.

Just do something enjoyable.

[Travis] Something you wouldn't normally do.

[Becky] Correct.

[Emcee] When I s.. [Crowd] Money!

[Matt] It was that $1 Scratch Match and Win# ticket that was sold here on the fa.. 40 years ago.

And it's awesome that fast forward# 40 years later, there was a $5 Scratch Match and Win ticket in the hands of all the Iowans# attempting to set a new Guinness World Record.

Tonight, we thought it would be cool to create a# special gold plated commemorative scratcher for the occasion.

So everybody that's here tonight is# going to get that and they're gonna scratch with that.

And of course, we'll make sure they have# a t-shirt.

So as they're walking around town, everybody can know, hopefully, that they were# part of setting a new Guinness World Record.

[Michael Empric] Everyone in the# black shirts is a steward.

They are watching to make sure you# don't scratch until we say go.

[Emcee] Ready?

Go.

[Woman 1] What are you supposed to do?

[Woman 2] You gotta match three.

[Matt] Of course, we're the Iowa Lottery, so# we've gotta have a little bit of fun beyond trying to set a new world record.

So we had three# cash prizes for everybody in attendance as well, that we anticipate giving away.# A $4,000 prize, a $4,000 prize, and, of course, a $40,000 cash prize.

So those are going to be given# away while we're waiting for the Guinness World Adjudicator to# officially sanction the attempt.

[Michael] I can announce that today in# Des Moines, we have a total of 1,380.

(Crowd cheering) ♪ ♪ (Saws buzzing.)

[Gary Keenan] Virtually stumbled into it 25 years ago.

A friend# of mine had seen it done here at the Iowa State Fair.

In all my adult life, I appreciated# art, but especially sculpture.

And often when I saw sculpture, I'd say to myself, well,# that'd be easy to do.

I know I could do that.

And when they were telling me about the chainsaw# carving done here, they said, it's really cool.

I found it interesting.

And I said, I think I# could do that.

And they essentially dared me to come over to their house.

They had logs# in the yard.

I had a homeowner's chainsaw, and I carved something.

It was a fish.

It# was crude and it slow, but I was intrigued with the process.

Started playing around with# it on weekends, and it took off from there.

Well, I'm carving with TJ Jenkins and Clint# Hennick, and together we'll create probably at least 44 pieces for the two auctions.

The# traditional auction is the live auction at the cattle sale barn, 3:30 on Sunday.

The# other half of the carvings will be sold online through the Blue Ribbon Foundation.# All the money for both auctions goes back into the Blue Ribbon foundation, and they# invest that back into the fairgrounds.

♪ ♪ Choose a log based on what we want to carve, and# then we go.. with the bigger cuts.

Switch to smaller saws# for more detail, more shaping.

Often we'll use electric tools such as a die grinder or an angle# grinder as a high speed sander to finish it out a little nicer.

Sometimes even some burning,# taking a torch and darkening certain features.

The hummingbird.

I'm proud of the# hummingbird.

It's been a popular piece.

It's fun.

A lot of people come up to us and# say that this is our favorite thing to see at the fair.

So we're here every day.# It's a busy day.

It can be a long day.

Sometimes to us, it feels a little bit# like Groundhog Day.

It doesn't matter that it's Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.

It's# kind of the same day over and over again, but it's still fun.

It's great to be here.

♪ ♪ [Bill Riley] That brings another night of Fair# 2025 to a close... part of your Friday evening with us.

There’s# a lot to watch out there, and we’re glad you tuned in.

If you’d like to revisit any of the# highlights from tonight’s show you’ll find it all, from videos to photos, on our website, our YouTube# channel, and the PBS App, plus our Facebook and Instagram pages.

We love bringing the State# Fair to you wherever and whenever you want it.

We’ll be back tomorrow night with a# special Saturday edition of Fair 2025, featuring a mix of fresh fun and time-honored# tradition.

Like the high-climbing action of the Lineman’s Rodeo.

The fierce and friendly# competition of the Cornhole Tournament.

And the inspiring achievements on display# at the 4-H and FFA Sale of Champions.

It’s all part of the best State# Fair coverage around—right here on Iowa PBS.

Until tomorrow, I’m# Bill Riley.

Have fun at the fair!

[Announcer] Funding for Fair 2025 is provided by — At Iowa Corn we know that corn is more# than just a crop.

It fuels our cars, feeds our livestock, and is in over# 4,000 products on your grocery store shelves.

Iowa doesn't just grow corn.

Corn# grows Iowa.

Learn more at iowacorn.org.

As Iowans, we all want clean air, land,# and water.

Iowa's pig farmers do too.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association invites# you to learn more at iowapork.org/wecare.

Since 1929, Wellabe has offered insurance# solutions to help people protect their health and financial well-being.

Wellabe# strives to empower people to be well, well prepared and well protected.# Learn more at wellabe.com.

The Pella Rolscreen Foundation is a# proud supporter of Iowa PBS.

Pella Windows and Doors strives to better our# communities and build a better tomorrow.

Banking in Iowa goes beyond transactions.

Banks# work to help people and small businesses succeed, and Iowa banks are committed to building# confident banking relationships.

Iowa Banks.

Your partner through it all.