Internationally acclaimed and the largest event in the state, nothing compares to the Iowa State Fair! Don't believe us? Well just ask one of the million people who travel from all over the world to attend! There's a reason it's listed in the New York Times best-selling travel book 1000 Places to See Before You Die. Here are the top activities we recommend adding to your Iowa State Fair itinerary: 

 

Goat Yoga

Join in on the latest craze and get your goat on at the 2019 Iowa State Fair. Find your inner yogi while being face-to-face with goats, ducklings, piglets, chicks and more! Take part in this practice at the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center on August 12 at 2 p.m., August 14 at 6 p.m. and August 17 at 10 a.m. Tickets are available HERE.

Grandstand 

Tickets for this year's Grandstand performers can be found HERE. 

  • for KING & COUNTRY, August 8 at 8 p.m.
  • The Chainsmokers, August 9 at 8 p.m.
  • Slipknot, August 10 at 8 p.m.
  • Zac Brown Band, August 11 at 8 p.m.
  • Toby Keith, August 12 at 8 p.m.
  • Dan + Shay, August 13 at 8 p.m.
  • Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias, August 14 at 8 p.m. 
  • Foreigner, August 15 at 8 p.m. 
  • Luke Bryan, August 16 at 8 p.m.
  • Pentatonix, August 17 at 8 p.m.
  • Hootie & the Blowfish, August 18 at 8 p.m.​

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Farm to Fair

Enjoy a meal sitting next to an Iowa farmer while learning, engaging and discovering how your food makes it from the farm to the table. You and 499 other lunch guests will have the opportunity to ask farmers food questions like how do eggs get their color, what are organic foods, GMO’s or antibiotics? Maybe you’ll discover the secret to pork chops on a stick? On Friday, August 16, you won't want to miss the Iowa State Fair dinner table in the Pioneer Livestock Pavillion! 

Fair After Dark

Fair After Dark, 21 and over VIP events, allows fair attendees to go behind the scenes with their fair food must-haves and crafts! On August 10 from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. there are the Hungry Games in the Elwell Family Food Center with “Chopped” Fair style, ugliest cake competitions and boozy samples galore. Then, on August 15 from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Jim Cownie Cultural Center there are wood crafts, origami, fire art and a photography hunt along with craft beers. Tickets can be purchased HERE. 

Iowa State Fair App

Don’t want to miss any of the Iowa State Fair action? Download the Official Iowa State Fair App to keep up with all the fun! Access the daily schedule, Grandstand shows, purchase Admission Tickets and participate in the AgVenture Photo Hunt all from your mobile device. For additional updates text FAIR to 75782 or follow the Iowa State Fair on social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat! 

Fair Food

There's a reason that people come from far and wide to taste the Iowa State Fair delicacies. With 200+ food stands and 75+ items on a stick, the cuisine is anything but your average fair food. As always, this year there are a number of exciting new dishes making an appearance. Rainbow Poutine (Benoit's Poutine & Fresh Cut Fries), Monster Cookie Popcorn (Zag's Popcorn), Peach Empanadas (Tortilla 911), Soft Serve Cookie Dough Cones (Dipped In Chocolate), The Colossus (The Bird's Nest)...just to name a few. Bring your appetite and make sure to take notes, this year fairgoers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorites at the fair! 

Food Passport

Now that you're excited about the newest fair foods, here's a method to taste them all! This year there will be a New Food Passport. Eat your way through the Iowa State Fair by adventuring to all the new vendors for your chance to win prizes. Passports can be found at the Iowa State Fair information booths. 

Thrill Parks

The Iowa State Fair's three thrill parks, Thrill Town, Thrill Ville and Thrill Zone, have new amusement rides the whole family will enjoy. In Thrill Town, little kids will enjoy the Jungle Twist, Metro Maze, and the Rockin’ Tug. In Thrill Ville, visitors can find the largest Ferris Wheel ever at the Iowa State Fair, the Lamberink Giant. And the Thrill Zone is home to all the classic breath-taking, heart-stopping, and hair-raising rides we know and love. Want to try all three? Purchase the Advanced Thrill Pass Wristband for added savings. 

Annual Fair Time Contests

Visitors of all ages can participate in the Iowa State Fair's Annual Fair Time Contests. From the pedal tractor pull to the bags tournament, one of the 25 contests is sure to suit your skills and strengths! Find the full contest schedule HERE. 

 

Save by purchasing discounted Advanced Admission Tickets sponsored by Taco John’s before August 8 online, at the Iowa State Fair Ticket Office or at participating Hy-Vee, Hy-Vee Drug, Fareway, Price Chopper and Cash Saver Stores. Make sure to enjoy extra savings by purchasing your Family Fun Pack and Thrill Parks Wristbands before the Fair too!