Iowa State Fair | Enter Contests and Competitions

Aug 13 - 23, 2026 | Days | Hours | Min

Iowa State Fair

Fair Spirit

August 13-23, 2026

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Enter Contests and Competitions

Enter Contests and Competitions

Part of the spirit of the Iowa State Fair comes from contests and competitions. From cow-chip throwing, to bags tournaments, to livestock competitions and entering your best pie, nothing compares to winning a ribbon at the Iowa State Fair. Learn how to enter these events at the Iowa State Fair.

Check this page for Fair events and competitions celebrating America's 250th birthday.

01/22/2026 | Win Red, White or Blue at the Iowa State Fair’s America 250 Celebration

Heritage contests at the Fair

Fair Time
Contests

From checkers to backgammon, to heritage contests and pedal tractor pulls, the Iowa State Fair has a contest for YOU! Learn how to enter the different contests.

Fair Time Contests

Floriculture entries

Iowa Family
Living

Enter your best baked goods, sewing projects, antiques, ag and hort crops and more at the Fair. Learn entry deadlines, procedures and rules for Iowa Family Living competitions.

Iowa Family Living

Photography entries

Fine Art &
Photography

Do you have an artistic eye for art and photography? Learn entry deadlines, procedures and rules for the fine art and photography competitions at the Fair.

Fine Art & Photography

Super Bull

Open Class
Animals

With entries for beef or dairy cattle, dairy or Boer goats, dogs, llamas, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine, find out the entry deadlines, procedures and show schedules for livestock competitions.

Open Class Animals

Horse shows

Horse &
Pony

Thrills and excitement are abundant in the cowgirl queen and horse competitions at the Iowa State Fair. Find entry deadlines, procedures and show schedules for the Iowa State Fair.

Horse & Pony

FFA sheep exhibitors

FFA &
4-H

FFA and 4-H members and families, find the entry process for entering each organization's livestock or static competitions. Sale of Champions scholarship information is also available.

FFA & 4-H

Other contests

Other
Contests

Find even more unique competitions at the Iowa State Fair. Learn entry deadlines, procedures and more.

Other Contests