From a turkey-tending robot to ceremonial scissors, the third annual Coolest Thing Made in Iowa contest is showcasing the variety of manufacturing in the state.
This year’s field of 58 nominees from around Iowa ranges from the practical (a potato peeling machine made in Creston) to the decadent (Cedar Ridge Straight Bourbon Whiskey made in Swisher) to the fancifully named Frosted Frog cooler from Rock Valley.
Nominees span the state from Davenport to Council Bluffs and Forest City to Keokuk.
Iowans now have the chance to cast their votes on which products will move on to the Sweet Sixteen. Votes can be cast here at coolestthingia.com/contest-information/vote, with the 16 finalists announced April 16. The eventual winner will be announced June 3 after further elimination rounds.
The previous winners were the ZR5-1200 self-propelled baler manufactured by Pella’s Vermeer Corp. in the initial contest in 2024 and in 2025, the CP770 Cotton Picker made by John Deere at its plant in Ankeny. A winning company is not eligible to compete in the following year.
Last year, Iowans nominated 69 products. The nearly 10-week-long voting process saw more than 93,000 votes cast, a 21% increase from the 76,382 in 2024.
The Iowa Association of Business and Industry and Nicolet National Bank sponsor the contest as a way of highlighting the importance of manufacturing to Iowa’s economy.
The 2026 nominees are:
Kevin Baskins covers jobs and the economy for the Register. Reach him at kbaskins@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: A turkey robot? Nominations in for Coolest Thing Made in Iowa contest
Reporting by Kevin Baskins, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
