Stock Show Report: Campustown Showdown Brings Cattle, Fashion, and Community to Iowa

Campustown Showdown Founder Christian Calliham shared a sneak peek, explaining how the upcoming Iowa stock show evolved from its sister event, the Aggieville Showdown in Kansas.

AMES, IOWA (RFD News) — The second annual Campustown Showdown will feature a mix of cattle showing, a fashion show, local vendors, and live entertainment, all centered around connecting consumers with producers.

Event founder Christian Calliham joined Wednesday’s Market Day Report for a sneak peek, explaining how the idea grew out of his original Aggieville Showdown in Kansas.

“After several years of being in the Aggieville Showdown, we’ve really seen this mission of connecting producers and consumers come to life, and we thought, why not expand our mission to another land grant institution town?”

In his conversation with RFD News, Calliham shared how the event will celebrate beef producers while also creating opportunities for the public to learn more about livestock.

“We also have a new segment this year, brought to us by the Iowa Beef Industry Council as we work on our mission to really bridge the gap between producers and consumers. Consumers can actually go on our socials and our website and ask questions that are topics of theirs and they will answer them on stage.”

The event will also feature a Grand Drive in the heart of downtown Ames, with the goal of bringing agriculture to the Iowa State University community.

The Campustown Showdown, set for April 24 and 25 in Ames, Iowa. More information can be found on the event’s website.

Related Stories
Danielle Lowman’s 1.6-second run will go down in Dickies Arena history
The top-ranked steer wrestler in the world backed it up with the second fastest run of the rodeo in Fort Worth
The final bracket in Fort Worth concludes Tuesday prior to Wednesday’s Wild Card
Both cowgirls started the final bracket in Fort Worth with a bang in the breakaway roping
Leon Fountain topped the Fort Worth leaderboard with 85.5 points
20-year-old Sam Petersen was the best of a decorated bareback riding bunch in Bracket 7, Round 1

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Ag Literacy Week connects students to farming through school visits and hands-on learning
Researchers with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture are studying the clouded plant bug, which causes millions of dollars in damage to crops such as corn, soybeans, and cotton growing across the state.
More than 15 million birds were affected by bird flu, but fewer outbreaks are helping bring egg prices down
Shaun Haney, host of RealAg Radio, outlines potential risks for agriculture as negotiations continue between the two countries
State leaders say the program continues to build the next generation of farmers and producers
Researchers say new technology will continue to drive innovation in forest operations.
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
Twisted Skillet brings a straightforward, hands-on approach to kitchen television, rooted in food and fire. Hosted by Texas chef Sean Koehler, the series explores open-fire outdoor cooking techniques, regional ingredients, and the people who raise, prepare, and inspire the food found across America.
Brought to you by Gus Arrendale & Springer Mountain Farms, join dynamic bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent as they welcome scores of fabulous bluegrass, country, and gospel music acts as special guests. Loads of laughs, your favorite guests galore, and lots of good times are guaranteed. Don’t miss all the fun!
Join popular polka performer Mollie Busta as she hosts the weekly “Mollie B Polka Party” on RFD Network! The one-hour program features the nation’s top polka bands and a wide variety of ethnic styles, recorded on location at music festivals across the country.
Celebrating 16 Consecutive Seasons on RFD Network! “The Penny Gilley Show,” starring “The Sweetheart of Country Music” herself, Penny Gilley.
SharkFarmer TV is the brainchild of Rob Sharkey, a 5th-generation farmer from Illinois. He shares the stories of incredible people in agriculture—both their successes and perhaps a few blunders along the way. You’ll see aerial footage of the field just as the drone crashes into a barn—and hear the story behind it all.