Iowa State Fair 2026 Preview: New Foods, Free Tickets & Fair Traditions - Katie Patrizio - 07/15/2026

Save the Date: August 13–23, 2026 The Iowa State Fair returns to Des Moines for 11 days, celebrating America's 250th birthday with a "Fair Spirit" theme throughout the grounds. Find Us at the Fair Stop by the Iowa Catholic Radio booth, just west of the Anne and Bill Riley Stage. Follow along on social media this week for the announcement of this year's Grandstand ticket giveaway. 2026's Top New Foods A panel of judges narrowed more than 80 entries down to three finalists for Best New Food, with fairgoer voting August 13–19 and the winner announced August 21: All-American Scrambled Egg Roll (Winn & Sara's Kitchen, $15) — bacon, sausage, hash browns, scrambled eggs, and cheddar with cheesy ranch, going for a "three-peat" after two straight wins. Porky Parm Gnocchi (Destination Grille, $14) — gluten-free potato gnocchi with sausage, parmesan cream, and pesto. Ultimate Minneapple Pie ($13) — fried apple pie with vanilla and cinnamon ice cream and apple syrup, from a Minnesota State Fair vendor making its Iowa debut. Live Music & Fair Favorites The Grandstand welcomes The Red Clay Strays with special guest The Bends on Saturday, August 15. Elsewhere on the grounds, catch the always-popular Twins Contest on opening morning at the Anne and Bill Riley Stage, and a full lineup of free entertainment across the fairgrounds. Follow Along Catch Iowa Catholic Radio's viral Pope cutout moments and more on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. #IowaStateFair2026 #IowaStateFair #DesMoines #FairFood #CatholicRadio #America250 #StateFairFood #CatholicPodcast #DesMoinesIowa Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm. ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show. 🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations LINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.