Photos: 2025 FRYfest kicks off Hawkeye football season

Photos from FRYfest at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center on Friday. The event, started in 2009, precedes the first University of Iowa football game.

Savannah Blake

Aug. 29, 2025 3:27 pm, Updated: Aug. 29, 2025 5:57 pm

Beckett Nicholson, 3, points a large green John Deere tractor as his grandfather, Dave Nicholson of Iowa City holds onto him during FRYfest at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center in Coralville on Friday. FRYfest is an event that is dedicated to Iowa football and former coach Hayden Fry. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Shelbi Thomas of Iowa City points out the Heartland trophy before taking a photo during FRYfest at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center in Coralville on Friday. FRYfest is an event that is dedicated to Iowa football and former coach Hayden Fry. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Kerry Schmitz of Fairfax (left) kisses the bobblehead statue of former Iowa football head coach Hayden Fry for a photo during FRYfest at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center in Coralville on Friday. FRYfest is an event that is dedicated to Iowa football and former coach Hayden Fry. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Josh Shaw of North Liberty tosses a bag during the annual bags tournament during FRYfest at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center in Coralville on Friday. This year the tournament welcomed more teams to participate and teams that placed first through sixth won cash prizes. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Community members walk past the FRYfest 2025 sign at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center in Coralville on Friday. This year’s theme is, “Farm to Field: 40 Years of ANF,” to honor 40 years of America Needs Farmers. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Eleanor Porter, 7, of Illinois slides down an inflatable slide in the kids zone during FRYfest at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center in Coralville on Friday. Her and her family are in town for the weekend to attend the Iowa football home opener game against Albany. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Iowa junior and gymnast Alyse Karenbauer (middle) and her mother, Heather Karenbauer of Pennsylvania (left) talk with professional wrestler Dan Gable during FRYfest at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center in Coralville on Friday. The event featured a trade show, autograph sessions from Iowa teams and former players and coaches, a block party, pep rally and bags tournament. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Tim Gribel of Dubuque (right) gives his bags partner Josh Shaw of North Liberty a fist-bump during the annual bags tournament during FRYfest at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center in Coralville on Friday. This year the tournament welcomed more teams to participate and teams that placed first through sixth won cash prizes. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Michelle Morarie of Vinton laughs as she holds a pair of black and gold bibs up to her to find the right size during FRYfest at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center in Coralville on Friday. This year’s theme is, “Farm to Field: 40 Years of ANF,” to honor 40 years of America Needs Farmers. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Bryan Sherry of Iowa City throws a bag while competing in the annual bags tournament during FRYfest at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center in Coralville on Friday. Teams whoa competed in the tournament played a minimum of six games. Instead of playing best two out of three, teams who won the first game would move onto the next round. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Tanner Hayslett of West Branch tosses a bag before the bags tournament begins during FRYfest at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center in Coralville on Friday. Teams who competed in the tournament played a minimum of six games. Instead of playing best two out of three, teams who won the first game would move onto the next round. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Tim Gribel of Dubuque (right) watches his bags partner Josh Shaw of North Liberty toss a bag during the annual bags tournament during FRYfest at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center in Coralville on Friday. This year the tournament welcomed more teams to participate and teams that placed first through sixth won cash prizes. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

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