Entries for the Iowa State Fair are Due July 1st

Ever thought about entering something from your garden in the Iowa State Fair?  Now is the time to act!

Entries for vegetables, herbs, jumbo crops, fruits, farm crops, floral designs, roses, hostas, potted plants, gladiolus, and dahlias are due on July 1st!  Once you've entered and received your entry tag, you just need to bring your produce or flowers to the show on the day of the show.  The schedule is below.  

Not every contest at the State Fair requires early registration.  Those marked with an asterisk in the schedule can just be brought to the fair that day. 

This is your opportunity to show off your gardening and artistic skills while earning a ribbon and bragging rights.  Anyone living in Iowa can submit an entry, so give it a shot - you just might walk away with a blue ribbon!

Submit Entries for the Iowa State Fair Here

Agricultural and Horticultural Crops Information (PDF)

Floriculture Rules and Information (PDF)

Judging Schedules

Those marked with an asterisk do not require advanced registration. Learn more about these contests in this article: How Gardeners Can Participate in the Iowa State Fair.

Agricultural and Horticultural Crops Judging Schedule: 

Wednesday, August 6

• Most Unusual Vegetable Contest (Division 147) *

Thursday, August 7 

• Corn Creations (Division 112) & Soybean Creations (Division 113)
• Farm Crops (Divisions 110-111, 114-117)
• Fruit Crops (Divisions 118-128) 

Friday, August 8 

• Weed Identification Contest (Division 148) *
• Big Pumpkin Contest (Division 140) 

Saturday, August 9 

• Best Tasting Tomato (Division 150) *

Tuesday, August 12 

• Vegetables (Divisions 129, 134-137, 141, 143-147)
• Jumbo Exhibits (Divisions 138-139)
• Edible Nuts (Division 142)
• Salsa Basket (Division 132)
• Herbs (Division 133)
• Hot Peppers (Division 130)
• Hot Pepper Plant in Patio Container (Division 131)

Wednesday, August 13

• Fruit, Vegetable and Nut Identification Contest (Division 149) *

Floriculture Crops Judging Schedule: 

Thursday, August 7 

• Junior and Intermediate Shows (Divisions 202-203)
• Adult Seed Picture (Division 220, Class 500) *
• Show Off Your Talent Flower Show (Division 201, Classes 1-6)
• Limited Division Flower Show  (Division 209, Classes 402-421)
• Iowa Perennials (Division 220, Class 501) *
• Color Division (Division 220, Class 502) *

Friday, August 8 

• Plant Identification Contest (Division 220, Class 503) *

Saturday, August 9 

• Rose Show (Division 204)
• Show Off Your Talent Flower Show  (Division 201, Classes 7-12)
• Limited Division Flower Show (Division 209, Classes 422-432)

Sunday, August 10 8:00 a.m. 

• Hosta Leaf Show (Division 205)

Monday, August 11

• Show Off Your Talent Flower Show  (Division 201, Classes 13-18)
• Limited Division Flower Show (Division 209, Classes 433-443)
• Potted Plants Show (Division 206)
• Pella Wonderland (Division 220, Class 504) *
• Terrarium (Division 220, Class 505) *
• Gnome Garden (Division 220, Class 506) *

Tuesday, August 12 10:00 a.m. 

• Flower Identification Contest (Division 220, Class 507) *

Wednesday, August 13 

• Gladiolus Show (Division 207)
• Show Off Your Talent Flower Show  (Division 201, Classes 19-24)
• Limited Division Flower Show (Division 209, Classes 444-454)
• Fresh Floral Design (Division 220, Class 508) *
• Holiday Design (Division 220, Class 509) *

Thursday, August 14 

• Guess How Many Rose Petals (Division 220, Class 510) *

Friday, August 15 

• Show Off Your Talent Flower Show  (Division 201, Classes 25-30)
• Limited Division Flower Show (Division 209, Classes 455-465)
• Iowa Flowers (Division 220, Class 511) *
• Iowa Floral Design (Division 220, Class 512) *
• Adel’s Finest (Division 220, Class 513) *
• Fairy Gardens (Division 220, Class 514) *
• Succulent Garden (Division 220, Class 515) *

Saturday, August 16 10:00 a.m. 

• Dahlia Show (Division 208)