2026 Banjo, Guitar and Mandolin

The Sweet Sounds of Strings Wowed Judges

The talents of stringed instrument players were on display during the Banjo, Guitar and Mandolin Contests, judged Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, at the 2026 Iowa State Fair.

Banjo
1st – Darin Manson, Albia
2nd - Johnny Butten, Springview, NE
3rd - William Lawson, Webb

Guitar
1st - William Lawson, Webb
2nd - David Green, Avoca
3rd - David Hargrove, Van Meter
4th - Pete Miller, Altoona

Mandolin
1st - William Lawson, Webb
2nd - David Hargrove, Van Meter
3rd - Ben McClure, Des Moines
4th - Mike Gonzalez, Altoona

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The Iowa State Fair is one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country and the single largest event in the state. The Fair began over 170 years ago and is now considered one of the best events in the nation, attracting more than one million Fairgoers every year from all over the world. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University, just off the interstate and minutes from Downtown Des Moines. Fair Spirit, August 13-23, 2026. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.