Watch the Fair
on the air!
Watch Iowa Public Television's exclusive, hour-long State Fair programs August 13-18 at 9:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on statewide IPTV.
Iowa Public Television
State Fair News
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Iowa State Fair 2012 Farm Bureau Cookout Contest Winning Recipe
The Iowa State Fair Farm Bureau Cookout Contest is the time to see who really is the best at... more » -
A New Host for Fair 2012
Iowa Public Television Names Bill Riley, Jr., Host of the Network’s Iowa State Fair... more » -
"Fair 2011" Coverage Another Viewer Favorite
IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION’S STATE FAIR COVERAGE AGAIN SERVES HUGE AUDIENCES Online and broadcast... more » -
"How can I purchase Fair programs?"
Complete episodes of Fair 2011 are not available for purchase because of rights issues with... more »
Visit IPTV at the Fair!
There's something for everyone in our booth in the Varied Industries building.
- Take your picture with Clifford the Big Red Dog
- Meet Dan Wardell at 1 p.m. each day
- Tell us what you learn from Iowa Public Television for a free gift
- Members - be sure to bring the coupon from the August Advance to receive your free gift!
The Butter Cow
through the years...
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1974
Duffy Lyon (Mrs. Norma) is shown creating the 1974 State Fair butter cow in this vintage video from the Iowa Public Television library. Del Monaco of KIOA is the interviewer.
Play Video 04:17 -
1983
Bill Riley, Sr. interviews butter cow sculptor Duffy Lyon at the 1983 Iowa State Fair.
Play Video 03:03 -
1993
1993 story highlights the Iowa State Fair's annual butter cow. This year, she gets a pony.
Play Video 04:25 -
1996
At the 1996 State Fair, Duffy Lyon makes Grant Wood's iconic painting butter.
Play Video 03:13 -
1997
Elvis was seen next to the butter cow at the 1997 Iowa State Fair.
Play Video 03:45 -
1999
In her 40th year at the Fair creating cows, Duffy Lyon adds some divinity to the occasion.
Play Video 03:23 -
2001
Hey Pilgrim, guess who is next to the butter cow at the 2001 State Fair.
Play Video 03:18 -
2004
The 2004 Iowa State Fair celebrated its 150th birthday. Duffy Lyon brought the cake…and the cow.
Play Video 03:04 -
2005
Golfer Tiger Woods got butter at the 2005 Iowa State Fair.
Play Video 04:23 -
2006
Duffy Lyon handed the butter over to new sculptor Sarah Pratt at the 2006 Iowa State Fair.
Play Video 04:16 -
2007
In her second year as lead sculptor in the butter case, Sarah Pratt takes on Harry Potter and a Jersey cow.
Play Video 03:00 -
2009
"Butter." If you're an Iowan and it's Fair time you know what that means. This year, a Jersey butter cow is joined by a tableau of the 1969 moon landing.
Play Video 03:00 -
2010
As if making a cow sculpture from 700 pounds of butter isn't enough to garner curiosity, Sara Pratt is also sculpting a tribute to Dr. Seuss.
Play Video 03:30 -
2011
The Butter Cow's 100th anniversary is celebrated at the Iowa State Fair.
Play Video 04:00 -
2012
A butter cow and a chocolate moose make a big impression at the Fair.
Play Video 04:24 - See all our State Fair butter cow video...
Every day of the fair we'll pick one photo to feature here. If you want your photo to be considered for our Photo of the Day, simply add it to our Iowa State Fair Flickr group.
Your Iowa State Fair Photos
Post your photos to our Flickr group, Iowa State Fair, to see them featured below.
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Is a visit to the Iowa State Fair complete without a visit to the Butter Cow? Or is a corn dog tops on your list for the perfect visit to the Iowa State Fair? Let us know the top 5 things you can't miss at the Iowa State Fair!
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