JOHNSTON — Iowa Public Television has brought Iowa State Fair highlights statewide for 49 years and will once again broadcast extensive coverage on-air and online. This year's programming begins August 7 with a live broadcast of the 2019 Iowa State Fair Parade, continues August 12-18 with Fair 2019 and the State Fair Talent Championship 2019, and concludes August 27 with a broadcast of the Shining Stars Talent Show.
The 2019 Iowa State Fair Parade will be broadcast statewide and livestreamed on Facebook and Iptv.org on Wednesday, August 7 at 6:15 p.m. Iowa's largest parade features high school marching bands, floats, animals, vehicles and more as the procession makes its way through downtown Des Moines.
Fair 2019 nightly highlights air Monday, August 12 through Saturday, August 17 at 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Featuring contest results, unique stories, food, animals, music and more, these hour-long programs are among the network's most-watched of the year. Fair 2019 will also be livestreamed on Facebook and Iptv.org. Host Bill Riley will join viewers on Facebook, responding to comments and questions in the livestream chats. Episodes will be rebroadcast back-to-back on Sunday, August 18 beginning at 2 p.m.
Following the marathon, coverage of the finals of the State Fair Talent Championship 2019 will air Sunday, August 18 at 8 p.m. The annual competition showcases some of the amazing talents of Iowa's young people.
This year, IPTV will also broadcast Shining Stars Talent Show, a new talent competition organized by the Bill Riley Talent Show for people up to age 30 with special needs.
Below is a list of topics scheduled for each Fair 2019 episode. Please note, topics are subject to change. Visit Iptv.org/fair for the latest updates.
Monday, August 12 at 9 & 10:30 p.m. (Also airs Sunday, August 18 at 2 p.m.)
State Fair Parade
New Fair Foods
FFA Swine
Butter Sculpting Contest
Kachunga & The Alligator
Mutton Bustin’
Iowa State Fair Volunteers
Food Contest - Ugliest Cake
Iowa Honey Producers
4-H Horse Show
Fair Flashback
Open Air Painting at the Fair
Woodcarving
As If You Were There ... At the Fair
Tuesday, August 13 at 9 & 10:30 p.m. (Also airs Sunday, August 18 at 3 p.m.)
Monster Arm Wrestling
Butter Cow
Cowgirl Queen Contest
Fair Flashback
Weed Identification Contest
Big Animals
Bacon Buddies
Cultural Building Artist Profile
FFA Parade of Champions
Food Contest - Best Banana Bread
Rock-It The Robot
As If You Were There ... At the Fair
Wednesday, August 14 at 9 & 10:30 p.m. (Also airs Sunday, August 18 at 4 p.m.)
Politics on a Stick
Horseshoe Pitching
Dairy Tours
Fishy Fun Day
Queen Contest & Interview
FFA Tractor Restoration
Governor’s Charity Steer Show
Fair Flashback
Food Contest - Jams & Jellies
Chainsaw Carver
As If You Were There ... At the Fair
Thursday, August 15 at 9 & 10:30 p.m. (Also airs Sunday, August 18 at 5 p.m.)
Most Unusual Vegetable Contest
4-H Sheep
Rooster Crowing Contest
Fair Flashback
Bandaloni
Youth Livestock Judging Contest
Veterans Parade
Cookout Contest
Sea Lion Splash
Pigeons
County Fair Kings
Fair After Dark: Hungry Games
As If You Were There ... At the Fair
Friday, August 16 at 9 & 10:30 p.m. (Also airs Sunday, August 18 at 6 p.m.)
Timber Sports Contests
4-H Grand Champion Steer
Riding the Rides
Fair Flashback
Accordion Contest
Have You Herd?
Grandstand Racing History
Cow Chip Throwing
Church Cookbook Recipe Contest
Shining Stars
Snakes Alive
Fly Tying Competition
Bubblegum Blowing Contest
As If You Were There ... At the Fair
Saturday, August 17 at 9 & 10:30 p.m. (Also airs Sunday, August 18 at 7 p.m.)
Kids Joke Telling Contest
Chess Tournament
Rubber Chicken Throwing
Fair by Air
Fair Scavenger Hunt
Fair Flashback
Food Contest - Decorated Cakes
Pie Eating Contest
Elvis Impersonator
4-H Family Volunteers
Goat Yoga with Kids
4-H & FFA Sale of Champions
Support for Fair 2019 is provided by EMC Insurance Companies and the Iowa Lottery.
Visit Iptv.org/fair for more Fair 2019 activities and additional broadcast times.
For more information about Iowa Public Television, please contact Susan Ramsey at 515.725.9703 or Susan.Ramsey@iptv.org.