Photos: Johnson County Fair brings competition and games to Iowa City

The fair continues through Wednesday at the fairgrounds on the south side of Iowa City

Jul. 21, 2025 4:51 pm, Updated: Jul. 24, 2025 1:42 pm

Kaden Recker, 15, tries to coax his cow, Val, to move during the FFA and 4-H dairy cattle show at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City on Monday. Recker received the grand champion dairy and champion master showmanship awards. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Isaac Wagg, 8, tries to balance an egg on a spoon during the 4-H and FFA trail and game horse and pony show at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City on Monday. After competitors completed the same competition on horses, judges urged audience members to come into the arena and do the same tasks on foot. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Olivia Hochstetler, 12, cleans her pig, Reba, at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City on Monday. The FFA and 4-H swine show will be held in the Expo Center at 4 p.m. Tuesday. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Aubrey Keeler-Wilson, 15, jumps over a hurdle during the advanced “Hurry Scurry” division of the 4-H and FFA trail and game horse and pony show at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City on Monday. Keeler-Wilson was disqualified after knocking over the last hurdle in her run. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Aaron Duggan (left), Ashlynn Duggan (center) and Andrea Duggan peer into a mesh tube as a caterpillar turns into a chrysalis at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City on Monday. Forever Green employees said the process for a caterpillar to transform into a chrysalis only takes a few minutes. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Kristi Thiel laughs as she tries to balance an egg on a spoon during the 4-H and FFA trail and game horse and pony show at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City on Monday. After competitors completed the same competition on horses, judges urged audience members to come into the arena and do the same tasks on foot. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Master Gardener Susan Davis shows Jolene Nelson, 11, and Hadlee Burich, 11, how to safely pick up a butterfly at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City on Monday. “I like teaching kids about the importance of being gentle with nature and having things to support them,” Davis said. “My hope is that as they grow up, they’ll remember the things they learned and they’ll think about what they want to have in their yard.” (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Johnson County 4-H member Payton Recker, 11, shows her cow, Rihanna, during the holstein jr. calf class portion of the FFA and 4-H dairy cattle show at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City on Monday. Recker received the reserve champion award. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Quincey Smith, 10, tries to balance an egg on a spoon while riding around the horse arena during the 4-H and FFA trail and game horse and pony show at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City on Monday. Smith received second place in the competition. The judges urged participants to bring their horses to a gallop, a short stride, a long stride, and to a stop throughout the competition. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Forever Green employee Cassy Darling shows Tom Huber and Eden Edgmond, 8, caterpillar eggs at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City on Monday. Darling said she enjoys telling the community about butterflies and showing community members how they can foster a butterfly-friendly habitat at home. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Silas Hoak, 4, and Jack Hoak, 7, play with their balloon swords at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City on Monday. The balloon swords were made by Bob Hill, also known as “Hillbilly Bob.” Hill said he started performing as Hillbilly Bob 32 years ago and has traveled to Canada and several states, including California and North Carolina, for shows. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

A monarch butterfly takes off at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City on Monday. Forever Green employee Cassy Darling said they started the mobile butterfly house this year. “It seems to be working out great, people love it, and we can do more community activities to get information out,” Darling said. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)