'The View' celebrates Sara Haines' birthday with ISU marching band, State Fair-themed set

"The View" brought "a little bit of Iowa" to national TV screens on Friday.

During an episode of the country's No.1 daytime show, producers surprised panelist Sara Haines, a native of Newton, with an Iowa-themed early birthday celebration.

"Sara, we know it's your birthday, so what are you doing for your birthday?" comedian and longtime "View" co-host Joy Behar, who moderates the show Friday mornings, asked.

Haines shared her birthday plans — which include attending a weekend wedding with her husband Max Shifrin in New York City — with fellow co-hosts Sunny Hostin, Ana Navarro, and panel newcomer Alyssa Farah Griffin during a panel conversation.

More: The View's Sara Haines talks coming home to Iowa, Taco John's, and hosting daytime's biggest show

Then, Behar introduced the surprise to Haines and the studio audience.

"Ya know, let's be honest, I'm sure that you'd rather be home going to the State Fair in Iowa, which we went to one time, it's a lot of fun, a lot of fattening food," Behar said. "But since you can't be there, we thought we'd bring a little bit of Iowa to you."

Seconds later, the ISU Cyclone Marching Band appeared from the wings as a "Happy Birthday Sara" banner dropped from the ceiling. Fried potato olés and Taco Johns tacos were served with State Fair-style lemonade for the co-hosts to enjoy.

After a short commercial break, Behar asked if this was a big deal for Haines, who said "to have anything from Iowa, but the State Fair and this band and food and Taco Johns and all of it."

Co-host Sunny Hostin quipped, "I have to say, this is a heart attack in the making," before Navarro said, "Let me remind you, we're trying to be nice to Iowa."

"As Iowans, we know how to pace ourselves at the State Fair, " Haines said.

Hostin responded: "You have to pace yourselves because this is a glazed doughnut with a piece of bacon on it, some powdered sugar, and fried chicken sandwich."

"Because Iowans do it butter!" Haines declared, pointing at the State Fair-themed "Iowans Do It Butter" shirt from Des Moines-based printing and design company Raygun.

Production staff wore the Iowa-printed shirts while delivering fried fare to the co-hosts.

"I was like 'how does Sara look this way?' when this is what Iowans eat," Farah Griffin said.

"I moved out of Iowa, people!" Haines replied.

The 44-year-old mom-of-three, who also hosts the popular ABC game show "The Chase," turns 45 on Sunday.

As a final gift to the former "Good Morning America" third-hour host, Newton's mayor Mike Hanson named Sept. 18 "Sara Haines Day" in her hometown.

"We're moving home kids, I'm a big deal in Newton!" Haines joked.

More: 'The View' co-host Sara Haines praises Iowa during season premiere, calling it 'the simple life'

Haines, who was recently profiled by the Des Moines Register about her love for Taco Johns and Iowa State Fair, frequently stops at the Newton fast-food chain's drive-thru during summer trips home to see her childhood best friend Emily Allen.

Longtime moderator and Academy Award-winning actress Whoopi Goldberg, who is typically seated next to Haines, was not at the celebration; she rarely appears on Friday episodes of the daytime talker.

Jay Stahl is an entertainment reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow him on Instagram, Twitter, or reach out at jstahl@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 'The View' celebrates Sara Haines' birthday with Iowa State Fair theme