The 2026 Iowa State Fair may be behind us, but for some crews, the work continues.
That includes the state fair’s team of gardeners, composed of two full-time employees, Aaron Sudbrock and Charlie McInroy, and seven part-timers.
Later this week, McInroy said he and Sudbrock will be out replanting grass after much of it was left bare due to record-breaking attendance. They will also be out planting and watering several flowers gardens across the fairgrounds.
The two say areas along the Grandstand, Anne and Bill Riley Stage and the Animal Learning Center saw the most foot traffic, resulting in some trash and damage left behind to the gardens they planted. They say as we look to 2027, fairgoers can make their job easier by being mindful of their surroundings.
“Keep out of our gardens and let our flowers be flowers,” McInroy said. “Just try not to step into them. I understand, stuff happens, but let’s just keep the trash and people out of our out of our gardens. That’d be huge for us.”
During the fair, McInroy and Sudbrock arrive each morning at 4 a.m. to maintain the fairground’s garden work, and to pick up fallen debris and trees. They also ask fairgoers what patterns, colors and types of flowers they like best, as they inform what future displays will look like.
Sudbrock said he was proud to have over one million people look at their designs.
“It’s a huge pride factor,” he said. “It really kind of boosts your energy. It makes you kind of excited. Obviously not everybody comes out here for the flowers, but the ones that do, you just try to make them excited about it.”
The two will continue working through the fall, developing fall displays for those who walk through the fairgrounds outside of the summer. Then, when the first frost hits, they say they will get a bit of a break until next year.
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