2026 Youth Spelling Bee

State Fair Youth Spelling Bee Winners Honored

Top spellers met in a friendly competition Friday, August 14, during the Youth Spelling Bee, at the 2026 Iowa State Fair.

5th and 6th grade
1st - Owen Shera
2nd - Sylas Jones
3rd - Mariah Sollars

3rd and 4th grade
1st - Aiden Behrens
2nd - Mia Anderson - Mueller
3rd tie – Lane Wright
3rd tie – Anna Dowey
3rd tie - Olivia Welch 
3rd tie – Adel Shepard

1st and 2nd grade
1st – Manuel Ramirez-Sanchez
2nd – Bryce Nicholson
3rd - Grant Behrens

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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.