A Comeback on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage

Caleb Meiners, 20, of Ottumwa, won the 2026 Bill Riley Talent Search grand prize of $10,000 at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 23. His contemporary dance solo to "This Bitter Earth" by Dinah Washington earned him the top spot on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage — a redemption after he did not place in the top five at the 2024 finals.

Meiners said he almost didn't perform to Washington's song, but decided at the last minute to follow his gut and dance to music that spoke to him. "I wanted to go out here doing what I know I do best and doing what I know makes me feel good, and hopefully someone out here can feel what I'm showing on stage," he said.

His performance showcased skills honed over eight years of dance, preceded by his younger years in tumbling, which he incorporated into flips and nimble movement. Meiners admitted he initially did not enjoy dancing, but stuck with it and grew to love it — so much that he now coaches dance.

Support from the Fair Community

Hundreds of fairgoers, friends, and family supported the 10 talent show finalists. Among them was Karen Adams, Southern Iowa Fair talent show coordinator, who called herself Meiners' biggest fan. She had watched him advance from the Mahaska County fair to the talent search finals in both 2024 and 2026. "He's excellent in his craft," Adams said, choking up. "It's just so cool now to see someone go from the county show to this."

Plans for the Prize

Meiners said he plans to save his cash prize — after treating himself a bit — and put it toward honing his craft.

Seniors Competition Results

The Bill Riley Talent Search seniors competition awarded prizes to the following finalists:

  • First place, $10,000: Caleb Meiners, 20, of Ottumwa, contemporary dance solo
  • Second place, $5,000: Sage Minnihan, 20, of Onawa, musical theater vocal solo
  • Third place, $2,500: Camden Lewis, 18, of Des Moines, classical flute
  • Fourth place, $1,000: Reece O'Leary, 17, of Grimes, instrumental guitar solo
  • Fifth place, $750: Gwen Franczyk, 16, of Urbandale, piano solo

The remaining senior winners each received $500: Bella De Haan, 17, of Pella (piano solo); Ava Kloppe, 17, of Cumming (contemporary dance); Sebastian Gearhart, 16, of Urbandale (piano); Kaelyn Townsley, 18, of Morning Sun (tap dance); and Annie Hopkins, 16, of Unionville (vocal and guitar).

Sprouts Competition Finalists

In the Sprouts competition for ages 2-12, finalists included Faith Eugenia Scott, 10, of Johnston (violin); Dylan Finch, 9, and Dixon Lynch, 10, of Centerville (jazz duet); Eloise Pohlmann, 8, of Truro (vocal); Lucy Smid, 11, of Des Moines (jazz dance); Micah Rusch, 12, of Cedar Falls (stand-up comedy); Brinley Koster of Breda and Charlee Stitz of Carroll, both 12, (jazz dance duet); Arnav Dervesh, 12, of Ankeny (piano); and Brody Taylor and Rio and Renzo Slaughter, all 11, of Clive (trio dance).