AMES, Iowa - Visitors to the Iowa State University exhibit at the 2026 Iowa State Fair will take a trip down memory lane from the 1960s through today. Themed "Iowa State University, Then.Now.Next," the exhibit is a visual journey through decades of campus history, the advancements shaping the university today and a peek into the future.
Quick look
A short documentary featuring Iowa State from a USA Today series commemorating America's 250th anniversary will be on display. The film celebrates the university's enduring role in advancing innovation and expanding access to education.
"We're excited for fairgoers to experience a little nostalgia as they take a look back in time," said Angie Strotman, Iowa State strategic marketing and branding manager. "Iowa State's impact reaches communities across the entire state, and this exhibit highlights that shared history in a way that's both meaningful and fun. Whether visitors come to learn something new or reminisce about their own Iowa State connections, there's truly something for everyone."
The exhibit will be open in the Varied Industries Building every day of the fair, Aug. 13-23.
Iowa State's beloved mascot, Cy, will appear at the university's exhibit between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of both weekends, Aug. 14-16 and Aug. 21-23.
Visitors to the exhibit can pick up Cyclone football posters, free waterless temporary Cyclone tattoos and an ISU alumni pin.
The University Book Store will offer a variety of Cyclone merchandise, gifts and apparel for sale in the exhibit. And visitors can take photos of trophies earned by winning the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series, the Cy-Hawk football game, the Big 12 championship in women's golf and third place at the NCAA championship in men's cross country.
4-H at the Fair
Find Iowa 4-H around every corner of the fairgrounds - from creative exhibits in the Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Exhibits Building to livestock shows in the barns and pavilions.
More than 5,000 youth from all 99 Iowa counties and all 100 extension districts are expected to participate in 4-H shows and exhibitions this year. Among them will be more than 8,500 horticulture, livestock and showmanship exhibits. Check out the full schedule of 4-H exhibits.
Learn something new every day at the fair as 4-H members showcase educational presentations and working exhibits at 9:05 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., except on the final Sunday. Share-the-Fun performances will be held daily at noon and 5 p.m. on the 4-H building stage, except on the final Sunday, allowing 4-H youth to share their talents through music, dance, drama, comedy, speeches and more.
Visitors can also participate in interactive learning opportunities led by Iowa 4-H staff and volunteers in agriculture and natural resources, leadership and civic engagement, communication and the arts, healthy living, Clover Kids and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Additional hands-on experiences will be provided by the Iowa Space Grant Consortium, Integrated Pest Management and ISU's mobile Crop Cart.
The 2026 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame Ceremonies will be held Sunday, Aug. 23, at the 4-H building stage. Ceremonies begin at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., honoring nearly 100 dedicated volunteers being inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame for their exceptional contributions to the lives of Iowa 4-H members and the overall 4-H program. The 1:30 p.m. ceremony honors inductees from counties Adair through Jasper, while the 3:30 p.m. ceremony honors inductees from counties Jefferson through Wright.
The Iowa PBS documentary, "The Legacy of 4-H," will air on the stage daily at 1:30 p.m., and at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23.
ISU students care for every fair animal
For more than two decades, a small and dedicated group of fourth-year veterinary students have played an integral role in animal health at the state fair. With guidance from College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) clinicians, the students examine and treat animals in need while working with owners and in view of the public.
Clinicians Rachel Friedrich, Mitch Hiscocks and Allison Vander Plaats will lead the team which will also include fourth-year students Isabel Coufal, Maggie Cronk, Erin Kraeger, Macy Moore, Alex Webster and Emma Zwart. Post doctoral students helping will be Sara Chaplan, Caleb Brezina, Mara Resop and Jenna Trenhaile. Second- and third-year students will also assist with sheep check-ins.
Aubrey Cordray will show a steer during the Governor's Charity Steer Show at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Livestock Pavillion. Cordray, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduate of Iowa State's College of Veterinary Medicine and president of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA), will be showing "Comet," owned by her son, Hayes Cordray. The steer is co-sponsored by CVM and the IVMA.
Morgan LaViolette, student recruiter, will give a series of presentations at Vet Camp, an educational, hands-on learning program aimed at encouraging fourth- through seventh-graders to learn about animal health and what it's like to be an animal doctor.
