Eleven days. Twelve stories. One-thousand, eight-hundred and seventy-four ounces of root beer — conservatively.

From the top of the hill to the Elwell Center’s bright refrigerators, Iowa Columnist Courtney Crowder brought readers behind-the-scenes of the Iowa State Fair to illuminate the inside stories of the fascinating Iowans who help make the state’s biggest event into our favorite annual spectacle.

Catch up on all her work from before, during and after our Great Iowa State Fair below. 👇

Why scotcheroos are having a moment

With the uber-popular Scotcheroo Shake and a new scotcheroo baking contest at the State Fair, this wholly Iowan dessert is no longer pie's sidekick. But what’s behind this nostalgic dish’s recent craze? READ HERE: Why are scotcheroos having a moment?

This Iowa

See Full Page