Everything You Need to Know for the 2024 Iowa State Fair

The Iowa State Fair is coming up August 8th through the 18th! Here's all the basic information you need ahead of the 2024 event:

What are the fair hours?

From August 8th through 17th, the fairgrounds are open from 8 a.m. to midnight, with no entry/re-entry after 10 p.m. On Sunday the 18th, the final day of the fair, the grounds are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., with no entry/re-entry after 7 p.m.

How much is it to get in?

Regular fair admission is $16 for ages 12+ and $10 for ages 6 to 11. However, if you purchase an advance ticket HERE (through 11:59 p.m. on August 7th), it's only $11 for ages 12+ and $7 for ages 6 to 11.

Additional discounts include:

• Monday through Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. - $12 admission for ages 12+ and $8 for ages 6-11
• Veterans Day (August 12th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) - $12 admission for active and former members of the US military (with proof) and their spouse
• Older Iowans' Day (August 14th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) - $12 admission for ages 60+ (with ID)
• Sunday Funday (August 18th) - $12 admission for ages 12+ and $8 for ages 6 to 11
  • From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., ages 12+ can get in for $9 with a donation of 3 cans of non-perishable food

Where do I park?

Parking is available in the A, B and C Lots (circled in red below) for $10, and you can take the Blue Line Parking Shuttle from those lots for FREE to the admission gates.

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART) is also offering shuttle services to and from the fairgrounds from three different FREE parking areas:

• 7th & Center St. Park & Ride (830 6th Ave)
• Iowa State Capitol Building
• Southeast Polk High School

DART shuttles are available from 8 a.m. to midnight, and they drop off and pick up at Gate 10. A round-trip ticket is $2 per person, or $1 for ages 6 to 10, ages 65+, and people with disabilities. You can purchase your shuttle ticket from booths at the shuttle locations or using the MyDART app starting August 1st. You can get half-off your shuttle ticket if you purchase it through the app.

If you plan to take an Uber/Lyft, there is a designated pick up and drop off area at Gate 8. Use the GPS address: 203 Rock Island, Des Moines, Iowa 50317

Will my bag be searched?

According to the Iowa State Fair FAQ page, "the Iowa State Fair reserves the right to search all bags, backpacks, coolers, purses, containers etc. upon entry to the Fairgrounds and upon request while on the Fairgrounds. Refusal to comply will result in denied entry."

If you're going to a concert at the Grandstand, ALL bags and backpacks are subject to search upon entry, and refusal to comply will result in denied entry.

Guns are prohibited.

Can I bring my dog?

No. The only animals allowed are ADA service animals that are "specifically trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities." Emotional support animals do not qualify.

Who is playing the Grandstand this year?

• Lauren Daigle
  • Thursday, August 8th at 8 p.m.
  • With special guest Blessing Offor
• Foreigner
  • Friday, August 9th at 8 p.m.
  • With special guest Melissa Etheridge
• Jelly Roll (SOLD OUT)
  • Saturday, August 10th at 8 p.m.
  • With special guest Dax
• Greta Van Fleet
  • Sunday, August 11th at 8 p.m.
  • With special guest The Beaches
• Brett Young
  • Monday, August 12th at 8 p.m.
  • With special guest NEEDTOBREATHE
• Thomas Rhett
  • Tuesday, August 13th at 8 p.m.
  • With special guest Priscilla Block
• Mötley Crüe
  • Wednesday, August 14th at 8 p.m.
  • With special guest Pop Evil
• Gabriel 'Fluffy' Iglesias Comedy Show
  • Thursday, August 15th at 8 p.m.
• Avett Brothers
  • Friday, August 16th at 8 p.m.
  • With special guest G. Love & Special Sauce
• Ne-Yo
  • Saturday, August 17th at 8 p.m.
  • With special guest Eric Bellinger
• Kidz Bop
  • Sunday, August 18th at 6 p.m.

If I have a Grandstand ticket, do I still have to pay for fair admission?

Yes. Fair admission is separate.

What are some of the other ticketed events?

Elwell Family Park is hosting a number of events in their outdoor arena. That includes:

• Outlaw Truck & Tractor Pull - Wednesday, August 14th at 12 p.m.
• Demolition Derby - Saturday, August 17th at 12 p.m.
• Figure 8 Races - Sunday, August 18th at 12 p.m.

Other experiences you have to purchase tickets to include Llama Love, Goat Yoga, Fair After Dark - Glow Party in the Garden, and Fair After Dark - Fair Games. All tickets can be purchased online HERE.

Is there any free entertainment?

Tons! If you don't want to purchase tickets for a Grandstand event, you can enjoy live music and performances on multiple stages:

• Susan Knapp Amphitheatre
• Anne and Bill Riley Stage
• MidAmerican Energy Stage
• Fun Forest Stage

Check out a full entertainment schedule HERE.

Can I bring food into the fair?

Yes. Outside food and one sealed bottle of water are allowed, and reusable drink containers are allowed if they are empty (there are multiple water refill stations). It's important to note that metal and glass containers are NOT allowed in the Grandstand or at Elwell Family Park. Small, soft-sided coolers are allowed for medication or perishables.

What are the new foods this year?

There are more than 80 new foods at the 2024 Iowa State Fair, and three of those items have been selected as finalists for 'Best New Fair Food.' That includes:

• Lobster Corn Dog at Destination Grille ($20)
  • A full North American lobster tail that's lightly deep-fried in scratch-made batter and seasoned with cayenne pepper and salt - topped with a lemon aioli drizzle, paprika, herbs, and 24-month-aged Parmigiano Reggiano
• Iowa Sm‘Oak’ed Roll at Whatcha Smokin? BBQ ($14)
  • "...a smoked pork tenderloin stuffed with jasmine rice, jalapeno creamed corn, smoked poblano queso and Giddy Up Texas taco sauce, and finished with poblano ranch, Giddy Up, green onion and smoked sesame seeds."
• Bacon Cheeseburger Eggroll at Winn & Sara’s Kitchen ($12)
  • "...features a rich and flavorful blend of our deliciously seasoned ground beef, perfectly cooked smoky bacon, fresh and tangy pickles and a melty rich cheese filling, all wrapped in a crispy golden brown pastry eggroll, and then drizzled with Winn and Sara’s house-made burger sauce!"

Fairgoers will be able to cast their vote for their favorite fair food finalist on the Iowa State Fair website or app beginning on starting Thursday, August 8th through Wednesday, August 14th at midnight. The winner will be announced Friday, August 16th.

How do I find all the new foods?

There is actually a new food map that shows you exactly where you can find each item HERE. You can also use the Iowa State Fair app to find anything you're looking for!

Where are the rides?

There are three different "Thrill Parks" at the 2024 Iowa State Fair. There's Thrill Ville, located between the Grandstand and Ye Old Mill, Thrill Town (for little ones), located northwest of the Jacobson Exhibition Center and east of Gate 10, and Thrill Zone, which is north of Gate 11.

Thrill Ville and Thrill Zone are open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Thrill Town is open until 10 p.m. On the final day of the fair, all the thrill parks close at 9 p.m.

Advance Thrill Passes and Advance Unlimited Ride Wristbands can be purchased online HERE before August 8th. Get more information on all of the Thrill Parks HERE.

And finally... where can I find the Butter Cow?!

The legendary Butter Cow is located inside the John Deere Agriculture Building and will be visible from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. The other butter sculptures for 2024 include Johnny Carson, Steve Higgins, Jimmy Fallon, and a Sky Glider seat (50th anniversary).

If you have any other questions about the 2024 Iowa State Fair, check out their official website!