How does it feel to be the winner of the biggest four contest? I won in 19 and then in 21 as well. And we were close to the record. But, um, I really had my goal set on setting the record and we blew it away. That I'm *** pork producer and I've been raising pigs all my life. I raised this guy since birth and for me to break that record that it's gonna be really, it's really nice. I couldn't believe it. That is that much heavier. Um, back home. I'm known as *** big boar guy. What he eat, he eats regular pig feed. Um, yeah, but he's really finicky. There's *** lot of people here that'll do milk, do the bakery like donuts and everything. He won't touch them. We tried *** different type of feed on him. He wouldn't touch it. He throws it away. Uh, he likes his special feed. We make it sweet. Um, *** couple key ingredients we put in. Um, I'll leave that as *** secret surprise. It's all natural. Everything's natural. Uh, he's been raised in corn stock betting all his life. Um, but no, I pecked him out at birth. Um, thinking he had *** big skeletal, you got to feed him right to get him to the size. It just doesn't happen overnight and he had *** tough time getting up to the scale. Were you *** little nervous there? What was that? Like getting him to finally get on the scale? Well, at home he has *** mind of his own. He doesn't want to go certain places and when he does, you can't stop him when he wouldn't go on. You know, they're raising pigs all my life. I said, turn him around, he wants to back up. Let's let him do something natural. He backed right on.
Day 1 guide to the Iowa State Fair: All events back on schedule after morning rain
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Updated: 2:44 PM CDT Aug 7, 2025
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The 2025 Iowa State Fair marks the 171st year of the state's biggest event. It's a summer tradition that draws more than 1 million people to the east Des Moines fairgrounds.Video above: 2024 Big Boar winner Finnegan tips scales at record 1,420 poundsThis year's fair runs 11 days from Thursday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 17.» Frequently asked questions about the Iowa State Fair» See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here.Here's what you need to know about Day 1 of the 2025 Iowa State Fair. Iowa State Fair events resume after morning rainThe Iowa State Fair's outdoor events are back on as of about 11 a.m. after everything outdoors was suspended for approximately an hour.Multiple Iowa State Fair events canceled; all outdoor events suspendedThe heavy rain early this morning has already forced some changes.The fair announced it is canceling the antique tractor pull in Elwell Family Park due to weather conditions.Iowa State Fair: Would-be competitors disappointed by cancellation of Twins, Triplets and More Contest At 9:40 a.m. the fair announced all outdoor activities are suspended due to lightning in the area.The twins, triplets and more contest is also canceled.You can see the latest weather updates from the fair here.Day 1: Thursday, Aug. 7Grandstand: Forrest Frank with special guest Lecrae, 8 p.m.; ticketsFree stage headliners: Ty Myers at the Susan Knapp Amphitheater, 8 p.m.; The Holy Rocka Rollaz at the Anne and Bill Riley Stage, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Taylor Inspired Dance Party at the MidAmerican Energy Stage, 8 p.m.Weather: Thursday will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain. Expect a high of 91 degrees. Check out vlog's daily forecast here.Daily attendance record: 101,262 on the first Thursday in 2008Iowan of the Day: Brenda DeVore of Promise CityLive vlog newscast: 4:30-5 p.m. at the MidAmerican Energy StageEat something: The fair introduced 67 new foods this year. A panel of judges tried 11 of the new foods and picked the top three to be finalists. Try one of the finalists and cast your vote for this year's best new food.Winn & Sara's Kitchen's Bacon Chicken Ranch Eggroll: A hand-wrapped eggroll filled with tender chicken, crispy bacon and rich white cheddar cheese. The golden, crunchy exterior is drizzled with their homemade ranch dressing.Whatcha Smokin? BBQ's Three Little Pigs: A trio of nostalgic flavors. First is a corndog-inspired savory and sweet honey and mustard-glazed ham ball topped with cornbread crumbles. The next ham ball is coated in a tangy cherry side glaze with Maraschino cherries, inspired by a tangy and sweet cherry soda. The last is funnel cake inspired. It's coated in a butter vanilla glazed and topped with a sprinkle of powder sugar, a play on the classic fair food.Over The Top's The Scotcheroo Shake: Voted Fair's Sweetest Food. This is a new take on the Midwest classic. It's a rich and creamy shake with housemade scotcheroo ice cream. It's topped with whipped cream, caramel and chocolate drizzle, and a scotcheroo.Use the Iowa State Fair's food finder to search for your favorites.Don't miss: The first day is all about the animals. The Big Ram Contest will be at noon at the Sheep Barn. The Big Boar Contest is at 1 p.m. in the Swine Barn. Starting at 8:30 a.m., Dairy Cattle Shows will take over the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion with the Super Bull Contest at 7 p.m. but there's another cow you butter not miss.Take a break from the hot weather and visit the iconic Iowa State Fair butter cow. This year's cow companions include fan favorites from Disney's Toy Story to ring in 30 years of the Pixar classic plus some hidden gems from the fair.Where will vlog be at the fair?You can see vlog 8 News live at 4:30 p.m. every weekday during the fair from the MidAmerican Energy Stage.You can also stream vlog 8’s coverage of the Iowa State Fair for free on the Very Local app. Click here to download Very Local to your phone.See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here. vlog skycam: Views from the Iowa State FairgroundsThis image is updated every 60 seconds on this page.Admission, hours and more for the fairLocation: The fairgrounds are located at East 30th Street and East University Avenue in Des Moines.Admission: Adult admission costs $16 at the gate and $10 for children ages 6-11. Kids 5 and under are free. Hours: Fairgrounds are open Aug. 7-16 from 8 a.m.-midnight, Aug. 17 from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and buildings are open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. every day.Thrill park hours include:Thrill Ville: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Aug. 7-16; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Aug. 17Thrill Town: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Aug. 7-16; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Aug. 17Thrill Zone: 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Aug. 7-16; 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. on Aug. 17Iowa State Fair attendance recordsLast year's fair was the biggest ever, with 1,182,682 people attending. That's 12,307 more than the previous record of 1,170,375 in 2019 and 48,724 more than 2023 (1,133,958), which was the second-biggest. Top 10 biggest fairs2024: 1,182,682 2019: 1,170,3752023: 1,133,9582018: 1,130,2602017: 1,130,0712022: 1,118,7632015: 1,117,3982008: 1,109,1502012: 1,097,1422021: 1,094,480 Highest daily attendance all-timeFirst Thursday: 101,262 in 2008First Friday: 115,703 in 2001First Saturday: 128,732 in 2024First Sunday: 115,048 in 2024Monday: 105,522 in 2017Tuesday: 105,384 in 2024Wednesday: 109,323 in 2019Second Thursday: 107,449 in 2015Second Friday: 112,891 in 2019Second Saturday: 128,298 in 2022Second Sunday: 119,754 in 2012
The 2025 Iowa State Fair marks the 171st year of the state's biggest event. It's a summer tradition that draws more than 1 million people to the east Des Moines fairgrounds.
Video above: 2024 Big Boar winner Finnegan tips scales at record 1,420 pounds
This year's fair runs 11 days from Thursday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 17.
» Frequently asked questions about the Iowa State Fair
» See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here.
Here's what you need to know about Day 1 of the 2025 Iowa State Fair.
Iowa State Fair events resume after morning rain
The Iowa State Fair's outdoor events are back on as of about 11 a.m. after everything outdoors was suspended for approximately an hour.
This content is imported from Facebook.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Multiple Iowa State Fair events canceled; all outdoor events suspended
The heavy rain early this morning has already forced some changes.
The fair announced it is canceling the antique tractor pull in Elwell Family Park due to weather conditions.
Iowa State Fair: Would-be competitors disappointed by cancellation of Twins, Triplets and More Contest
At 9:40 a.m. the fair announced all outdoor activities are suspended due to lightning in the area.
The twins, triplets and more contest is also canceled.
You can .
This content is imported from Facebook.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Day 1: Thursday, Aug. 7
Grandstand: Forrest Frank with special guest Lecrae, 8 p.m.;
Free stage headliners: Ty Myers at the Susan Knapp Amphitheater, 8 p.m.; The Holy Rocka Rollaz at the Anne and Bill Riley Stage, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Taylor Inspired Dance Party at the MidAmerican Energy Stage, 8 p.m.
Weather: Thursday will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain. Expect a high of 91 degrees. Check out vlog's daily forecast here.
Daily attendance record: 101,262 on the first Thursday in 2008
Iowan of the Day: Brenda DeVore of Promise City
Live vlog newscast: 4:30-5 p.m. at the MidAmerican Energy Stage
Eat something: The fair introduced 67 new foods this year. A panel of judges tried 11 of the new foods and picked the top three to be finalists. Try one of the finalists and cast your vote for this year's best new food.
- Winn & Sara's Kitchen's Bacon Chicken Ranch Eggroll: A hand-wrapped eggroll filled with tender chicken, crispy bacon and rich white cheddar cheese. The golden, crunchy exterior is drizzled with their homemade ranch dressing.
- Whatcha Smokin? BBQ's Three Little Pigs: A trio of nostalgic flavors. First is a corndog-inspired savory and sweet honey and mustard-glazed ham ball topped with cornbread crumbles. The next ham ball is coated in a tangy cherry side glaze with Maraschino cherries, inspired by a tangy and sweet cherry soda. The last is funnel cake inspired. It's coated in a butter vanilla glazed and topped with a sprinkle of powder sugar, a play on the classic fair food.
- Over The Top's The Scotcheroo Shake: Voted Fair's Sweetest Food. This is a new take on the Midwest classic. It's a rich and creamy shake with housemade scotcheroo ice cream. It's topped with whipped cream, caramel and chocolate drizzle, and a scotcheroo.
to search for your favorites.
Don't miss: The first day is all about the animals. The Big Ram Contest will be at noon at the Sheep Barn. The Big Boar Contest is at 1 p.m. in the Swine Barn. Starting at 8:30 a.m., Dairy Cattle Shows will take over the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion with the Super Bull Contest at 7 p.m. but there's another cow you butter not miss.
Take a break from the hot weather and visit the iconic Iowa State Fair butter cow. This year's cow companions include fan favorites from Disney's Toy Story to ring in 30 years of the Pixar classic plus some hidden gems from the fair.
Where will vlog be at the fair?
You can see vlog 8 News live at 4:30 p.m. every weekday during the fair from the MidAmerican Energy Stage.
You can also stream vlog 8’s coverage of the Iowa State Fair for free on the . .
See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here.
vlog skycam: Views from the Iowa State Fairgrounds
This image is updated every 60 seconds on this page.
Admission, hours and more for the fair
Location: The fairgrounds are located at East 30th Street and East University Avenue in Des Moines.
Admission: Adult admission costs $16 at the gate and $10 for children ages 6-11. Kids 5 and under are free.
Hours: Fairgrounds are open Aug. 7-16 from 8 a.m.-midnight, Aug. 17 from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and buildings are open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. every day.
Thrill park hours include:
- Thrill Ville: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Aug. 7-16; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Aug. 17
- Thrill Town: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Aug. 7-16; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Aug. 17
- Thrill Zone: 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Aug. 7-16; 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. on Aug. 17
Iowa State Fair attendance records
Last year's fair was the biggest ever, with 1,182,682 people attending. That's 12,307 more than the previous record of 1,170,375 in 2019 and 48,724 more than 2023 (1,133,958), which was the second-biggest.
Top 10 biggest fairs
- 2024: 1,182,682
- 2019: 1,170,375
- 2023: 1,133,958
- 2018: 1,130,260
- 2017: 1,130,071
- 2022: 1,118,763
- 2015: 1,117,398
- 2008: 1,109,150
- 2012: 1,097,142
- 2021: 1,094,480
Highest daily attendance all-time
- First Thursday: 101,262 in 2008
- First Friday: 115,703 in 2001
- First Saturday: 128,732 in 2024
- First Sunday: 115,048 in 2024
- Monday: 105,522 in 2017
- Tuesday: 105,384 in 2024
- Wednesday: 109,323 in 2019
- Second Thursday: 107,449 in 2015
- Second Friday: 112,891 in 2019
- Second Saturday: 128,298 in 2022
- Second Sunday: 119,754 in 2012
