DES MOINES, IA (08/03/2026) (readMedia)-The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to present David Colbert of Danbury as a 2026 Iowa State Fair "Iowan of the Day" on Friday August 21.
    For decades, David has dedicated his time, leadership, and talents to strengthening the Danbury community. Whether serving in public office, supporting local businesses, volunteering with youth programs, or lending a helping hand wherever it is needed, David has consistently worked to make his hometown a better place to live.
    A former mayor of Danbury, David has also served on the Danbury City Council, the Maple Valley School Board, and the Danbury Ambulance Department for 20 years. His commitment to preserving community resources led him to help save the Danbury Public School from demolition, transforming it into the Danbury Recreation Center. Through fundraising, volunteer labor, and ongoing maintenance, he has helped create a year-round gathering place that provides recreational opportunities for youth and families throughout the region.
    As the owner of Colbert's Market, a third-generation family grocery store, David has built his business around serving others. He donates food and supplies to schools, churches, and countless community organizations.
    Long before the COVID-19 pandemic when other groceries began offering delivery, Colbert's Market had a home delivery service to ensure residents had access to groceries. He also provides weekly grocery deliveries to Danbury Catholic School and works to special-order products requested by customers when possible. Under his leadership, Colbert's Market has expanded while remaining the only grocery store outside the Sioux City area in Woodbury County.
    David's service reaches every corner of the community. He chaired Danbury's RAGBRAI and Corn Days committees, helped recruit a new veterinarian to ensure local farmers continued to receive essential services, helped save the local hog buying station, and stepped in to continue publishing the Danbury Review when the newspaper was in danger of closing.
    Known for his charismatic sense of humor and willingness to work behind the scenes, David is often described as Danbury's "unsung hero" and is affectionately known as "Mr. Danbury" to some. His lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and community pride has left an immeasurable impact on the town he proudly calls home.
    Dave will be recognized for his Iowan of the Day Award on the Iowa State Fair's Anne and Bill Riley Stage at noon on August 21st. Along with being recognized, he will receive four admission tickets, four grandstand concert tickets, a VIP parking pass, hotel accommodations with the Des Moines Marriott Downtown, $200 cash, a golf cart for the day, and an Iowa State Fair Swag Bag.
    The Iowan of the Day program, presented by the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation, recognizes outstanding Iowans who have made a positive difference in their communities through service, leadership, and dedication to others.
    The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $220 million for the renovation and preservation of the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. For more information, please contact the Blue Ribbon Foundation at 515-262-3111 Ext. 371 or Info@BlueRibbonFoundation.org.

    SIOUX CITY – Missouri River Historical Development, Inc. (MRHD) will accept applications for its 2026 Impact Match Grant throughout the month of August. The grant program provides awards ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 for one year to support proposals that demonstrate substantial community or organizational impact and align with MRHD's mission. In total, $1.5 Million in funding is available for this grant cycle. The application period ends on August 31st.
    Eligible applicants include tax-exempt organizations, educational institutions, and local governments in Cherokee, Crawford, Ida, Monona, Plymouth, and Woodbury Counties in Iowa; Union County in South Dakota; and Dakota County in Nebraska. Projects located in South Dakota or Nebraska must demonstrate a substantial impact on Woodbury County to be considered.
    Grantees are required to provide a 25% match of the grant amount. Up to half of the required match may be in-kind contributions. For full program details and to apply, visit: mrhdiowa.org/impactmatchgrants.
    MRHD is the non-profit Qualified Sponsoring Organization (QSO) that holds the license for casino gaming in Woodbury County and receives funding from an agreement with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sioux City. Under Iowa law, a percentage of the casino's gaming revenues is allocated to MRHD for community development. Since 1989, MRHD has invested over $60 Million into Woodbury County and the Siouxland community through grants funded by casino gaming revenue. For more information about MRHD or the 2026 Impact Match Grant cycle, contact MRHD Executive Director, David Gleiser at: (712) 899-6631, or execdir@mrhdiowa.org.

    Thirteen youth. Seven animals. One final competition. One winner. Oh...wait...two winners.
    This year, as in previous years, the top two available senior division showmen in the beef, dairy, sheep, swine, goats, dairy goats, and horse competitions bring their champion or reserve champion animal to the show ring to determine which human has the best overall showmanship with each animal. Normally, those exhibitors would be the champion and reserve champion showmen for the species, but if for some reason one of these cannot participate, the next one available is chosen. The youth rotate amongst the species, proving their ability in showing the animal and basic knowledge of the animal. When done, they will have exhibited their skills with all seven animals. This year, when all was said and done, two shared the title of top overall showmen - Gabby Hamann, daughter of Julie and Jason Hamann of rural Correctionville, and Drew Castle, son of Tracy and Dan Castle of rural Smithland.
    Gabby, an incoming freshman at University of Nebraska - Lincoln, earned reserve grand champion showman in the sheep department. This in itself is quite impressive. Normally, top showmen in the senior division have been working with their respective species throughout their 4-H and/or FFA years. Gabby decided this year to try her hand at showing sheep. So, as a rookie sheep showman, she took the second top honors. Because the champion was unable to participate, Gabby was bumped up to the champion spot in Sheep for the competition against the best of the best of the other animals in Woodbury County.
    "I prepared by watching all of the senior showmanship classes, studying immensely each night after I qualified and a bit in the weeks prior to fair," stated Hamann.
    As Gabby mentioned, these exhibitors were the elite showpersons in their species. They were in the overall competition because they worked with their animals and knew how to show the animal to a judge. They also know that part of showmanship happens outside the ring - the courtesy and sharing of their knowledge they give to others. This was definitely true prior to this final competition.
    "I practiced with each showman's animal and let people practice with my sheep "Briar" and gave them tips on how I best show her," added Hamann.
    Gabby isn't a stranger to showmanship for other animals. Over her years as a 4-H member with the Anthon Advancers, Gabby has participated in the beef, horse, and swine projects, too, giving her some knowledge in them. Some of the projects were more successful than others, but at least she knew a little before her final competition at her final fair. However, these were the best of the best. How would she compare?
    "I told some that I was confident walking into the competition, but I was not comfortable knowing how well most of the contestants practiced and studied," she said. "I knew I was against elite competition."
    Confident or not, Gabby did well with this challenge, earning top accolades with Drew Castle.
    "When I figured out Drew Castle was the one I tied with, I was overjoyed because he and I spent a lot of time studying the night before and the morning of with his amazing girlfriend, my sheep mentor, and the 2024 Woodbury County Fair Grand Champion Overall Showman, Grace Flannigan," exclaimed Gabby.
    With the accolade comes a couple prizes. Both Gabby and Drew were awarded belt buckles. They were both also offered a one-year lease of a Wilson livestock trailer. Finally, they will share custody of a traveling trophy which will be inscribed with both of their names. How does that work with two winners? Well, the teens have worked out a shared custody plan for the trophy. Each will house the trophy for six months with the other getting visitation when they would like to use it. For example, Drew may want to trophy when he has his senior pictures taken or for his graduation party. As Gabby pointed out, the trophy and the trailer aren't the true prizes. Being able top these elite showpersons is indeed the true prize. Congratulations, Gabby and Drew!