Des Moines, IA – The Iowa State Fair has long been a celebration of agriculture, food, and family traditions, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to Des Moines each summer. As one of the fair’s most beloved attractions, Iowa’s dairy experiences continue to connect consumers with the farmers who produce nutritious, high-quality dairy products while creating memorable moments for fairgoers of all ages.
This year, Midwest Dairy and the Iowa State Fair are once again celebrating dairy with the debut of the official Flavor of the Fair: the Red, White, and Moo Shake. Featuring a creamy vanilla shake topped with colorful cupcake bites and festive sprinkles, the limited-time treat offers a fun, photo-worthy way for visitors to enjoy real dairy while making lasting fair memories beyond the Dairy Barn.
Midwest Dairy helps connect consumers with the farmers behind their food through the Farm to Fair dinner experience on Sunday. Fairgoers had the opportunity to enter for a chance to win a complimentary farm-to-table meal, where they gather with Iowa farmers to enjoy a dinner featuring locally grown ingredients while engaging in conversations about food, farming, and agriculture. The event creates a unique opportunity to build meaningful connections between consumers and the people who produce their food.
The fair also serves as a stage for the next generation of dairy advocates. Throughout the event, Iowa Dairy Princesses and Dairy Ambassadors will engage visitors through “I Milked a Cow”, educational activities, and volunteer opportunities with the Iowa Food & Family Project. By sharing their personal experiences and passion for the dairy community, these young leaders help strengthen the connection between Iowa dairy farmers and consumers.
No trip to the Iowa State Fair is complete without a visit to the iconic Butter Cow, with this year’s theme being: Meet Me at the Pepsi Clock. As one of the fair’s most recognizable traditions, the butter sculpture continues to celebrate Iowa’s rich dairy heritage and the farm families whose dedication keeps dairy at the heart of the state’s agricultural legacy.
From enjoying a handcrafted milkshake to engaging with dairy farmers and future industry leaders, fairgoers have countless opportunities to experience the quality, care, and tradition behind Iowa dairy. Together, these experiences reinforce dairy’s enduring role as a cornerstone of the Iowa State Fair and a proud part of the state’s agricultural story.
Midwest Dairy® represents 3,600 dairy farm families and works on their behalf to build dairy demand by inspiring consumer confidence in our products and production practices. We are committed to Bringing Dairy to Life! by giving Consumers an Excellent Dairy Experience and are funded by farmers across a 10-state region, including Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. For more information, visit MidwestDairy.com, and follow us on Facebook and YouTube.