Iowa State Fair Crowds Celebrate New Queen, Record Pumpkin

The 2025 Iowa State Fair featured a range of exciting events, highlighted by the crowning of 17-year-old Riah Schrage of Grundy County as the Iowa State Fair queen, a moment she described as "living the dream." Schrage received multiple scholarships and prizes, while the event drew a record crowd, emphasizing the strong community spirit among the 102 county fair queens. The fair also showcased traditional attractions such as the tractor parade, the largest pumpkin contest, the Ugliest Cake Contest, and the Classic Car Display, delighting attendees of all ages. On the third day, the fair offered a cooler respite with special events including Chevron Day focused on biofuels, live broadcasts, and a concert featuring Georgia-native singer-songwriter Megan Moroney, followed by a drone show and fireworks. Weather forecasts predicted a cooldown with possible showers and thunderstorms, but the festivities continued to attract large crowds. Overall, the fair combined tradition, community celebration, and entertainment, creating memorable experiences for participants and visitors alike.