Ames is preparing to welcome a new tradition this spring with the debut of the Campustown Showdown, a unique cattle show and community event set to take place April 25–26, 2025. Presented by MaxAg, the event will spotlight the region’s agricultural roots in a vibrant, urban setting.
Modeled after the successful Aggieville Showdown in Manhattan, Kansas, the Campustown Showdown aims to bring together livestock exhibitors, students, businesses, and the public for a weekend of competition and celebration. The inaugural event will begin at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center, where participants will compete for a chance to showcase their cattle in the heart of Campus town.
“We are excited for the inaugural Campustown Showdown event in Ames, Iowa to unite exhibitors, students, businesses, and the public to celebrate agriculture in Campustown,” said Christian Calliham, Founder and Executive Director of the event. “Our mission is to bridge the gap between rural and urban communities by hosting engaging livestock show events in entertainment districts, providing consumers with an immersive experience of the cattle industry’s producer-to-consumer journey.”
The event kicks off Friday, April 25, at 6 p.m. with a showmanship competition at the Hansen Ag Center. On Saturday, April 26, the show continues at 9:30 a.m. with market beef and breeding heifer divisions. The top exhibitors will then advance to the much-anticipated Grand Drive, which will transform Welch Avenue in Campustown into a showcase arena.
Scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Grand Drive will take place on Welch Avenue between Chamberlin and Hunt Street and will feature:
- The crowning of Grand Drive champions, with over $7,500 in cash prizes
- A western fashion show
- Live music and entertainment
- Interviews with the winners
- Vendor booths offering a unique shopping experience
The event is free and open to the public, with attendees encouraged to visit both the Hansen Ag Center and Campustown to take part in the festivities.
Kevin Bourke of Discover Ames expressed excitement for the event’s arrival. “Campustown has never hosted an event like this before,” he said. “It’s a chance to showcase our vibrant community and its rich agricultural heritage to a wide audience. We are thrilled to welcome cattle exhibitors from across the Midwest to Ames.”
The Aggieville Showdown, launched in 2021, has become a cherished annual tradition in Manhattan. Its expansion to Ames reflects the growing popularity of combining agricultural experiences with urban celebration.
For more information, visit campustownshowdown.com or follow @campustownshowdown on Facebook and Instagram for event updates and highlights.
