Why is the Iowa State Fair such a big deal?

It’s just a few days on the political calendar, but what happens at the Iowa State Fair can echo through an entire presidential race.

It takes on its political significance in the year before a presidential election (that’s now). Because most presidential campaigns circle this event in red on their calendars, Washington Post reporters have covered the Iowa State Fair for years. Below is some of what they, and The Fix, have learned about it.