CLOSER, BECAUSE THE THINKING ABOUT ALL THE GREAT FOOD TO EAT. SOME BIG CHANGES THOUGH, ARE COMING. YEAH, FOLKS WILL NOW BE ABLE TO CARRY IN THEIR OWN FOOD AND DRINKS TO THE FAIR. vlog BEAU BOWMAN EXPLAINS THE NEW RULES AND WHY THE FAIR MADE THE CHANGE. YEAH, STACEY, OFFICIALS SAY THEY WANTED TO DO THIS FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO LIKE COMING TO THE FAIR, BUT THEY DON’T WANT TO SPEND AN ARM AND A LEG ON FOOD AND DRINKS. WHEN IT COMES TO OUTSIDE FOOD AND BEVERAGE, WE HAVE KIND OF TWEAKED OUR RULES A LITTLE BIT. NOTHING CAN COMPARE TO THE IOWA STATE FAIR. STARTING THIS YEAR, FOLKS WILL BE ABLE TO BRING IN WATER, POP, GATORADE, OR ANY TYPE OF DRINK THEY LIKE ASIDE FROM ALCOHOL. BOTTLES CAN BE SEALED OR UNSEALED. REALLY, WE JUST WANT TO BE AN AFFORDABLE OPTION FOR FAMILIES TO COME TO THE FAIR. CEO JEREMY PARSONS SAYS THEY MADE THE DECISION AS A WAY TO REACH THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE GOING TO THE FAIR, BUT NOT FOR THE FOOD. ANY TYPE OF SNACK PACKED INTO A SOFT SIDED COOLER WILL BE ALLOWED IN AS WELL. WE UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE NEED TO COME TO THE FAIR. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE FAIR REALLY IS FOR ALL IOWANS OF ALL LEVELS OF INCOME, FOR EXAMPLE. AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY CAN ENJOY THAT FAIR EXPERIENCE. FOR SOME, THAT FAIR. EXPERIENCE MIGHT BE IS ALL ABOUT THE FOOD. IN FACT, THE NUMBER ONE REASON WHY PEOPLE COME TO THE FAIR IS FOR FOOD, BUT FOR OTHER FAMILIES, IT MAY BE SOMETHING ELSE. THERE ARE ONLY THREE BIG RULES NO GLASS CONTAINERS AND NO ALCOHOL. THEY WILL BE CHECKING AT THE GATE AND THOSE OUTSIDE FOOD AND BEVERAGES WON’T BE ALLOWED IN THE GRANDSTAND. THERE ARE ALSO SOME CHANGES. THE FAIR MADE AN EFFORT TO DECONGEST LONGER LINES AT THE GATE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE FAIRGROUNDS. WE KNOW MANY FAIRGOERS PARK IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS BETWEEN UNIVERSITY AND DEAN AVENUE, AND ULTIMATELY THEY HAVE TO ENTER THE FAIR THROUGH GATE 11, WHICH IS ON GRAND AVENUE. TO ALLEVIATE THAT LOGJAM, THE IOWA STATE FAIR IS BUILDING NEW GATES ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE WHERE FOLKS CAN ENTER OFF OF EAST 30TH AND WALK IN NEAR THE ELWELL FAMILY PARK. THAT SHOULD REALLY CUT DOWN ON THE LINES FOR PEOPLE COMING INTO THE FAIR. YOU CAN FIND THE FULL LIST OF THINGS YOU CAN AND CANNOT BRING INTO THE STATE FAIR ON THEIR WEBSITE, UNDER THE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS SECTION. ST
Day 3 guide to the Iowa State Fair: What to do at the fairgrounds Saturday, Aug. 9
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Updated: 4:00 PM CDT Aug 8, 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: Outside food and drink now allowed at the Iowa State FairThis year's fair opened Thursday and runs 11 days 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 3 of the 2025 Iowa State Fair. Day 3: Saturday, Aug. 9Grandstand: Megan Moroney with special guest Kameron Marlowe, 8 p.m.; ticketsFree stage headliners: Waylon Wyatt at the Susan Knapp Amphitheater, 8 p.m.; Iowa State Fair Queen Coronation at the Anne and Bill Riley Stage, 7 p.m.; The End (A Tribute to the Beatles) at the MidAmerican Energy Stage, 8 p.m.Weather: Saturday will be mostly sunny and hot with a high of 91 degrees. Showers and thunderstorms are possible. Check out vlog's daily forecast here.Daily attendance record: 128,732 on the first Saturday in 2024Iowan of the Day: Barb Runneberg of AlgonaEat something: The fair takes your favorites and makes them easy to eat. Try one of these mobile foods on a stick:Chicken in a waffle on a stickBacon Wrapped Rib on a stickFunnel Cake on a stickBacon Pecan Pie on a stickUse the Iowa State Fair's food finder to search for your favorites.Don't miss: It's coronation day! Take a trip to the Anne and Bill Riley Stage at 7 p.m. to see who will win the crown. The Iowa State Fair queen contest has contestants from each county in the state. Contestants are judged based on several characteristics including personality, attitude, leadership, citizenship, contribution to community, overall appearance, charm and poise. Last year's queen was Elli Blackford of Clarke County.A fair isn't a fair without amusement rides. Take today to have some thrill-filled fun. Take a float in the Ye Old Mill, reach new heights on the Sky Glider and then fly down the Giant Slide. And visit all three of the fair's "thrill" areas. 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: Outside food and drink now allowed at the Iowa State Fair
This year's fair opened Thursday and runs 11 days 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 3 of the 2025 Iowa State Fair.
Day 3: Saturday, Aug. 9
Grandstand: Megan Moroney with special guest Kameron Marlowe, 8 p.m.;
Free stage headliners: Waylon Wyatt at the Susan Knapp Amphitheater, 8 p.m.; Iowa State Fair Queen Coronation at the Anne and Bill Riley Stage, 7 p.m.; The End (A Tribute to the Beatles) at the MidAmerican Energy Stage, 8 p.m.
Weather: Saturday will be mostly sunny and hot with a high of 91 degrees. Showers and thunderstorms are possible. Check out vlog's daily forecast here.
Daily attendance record: 128,732 on the first Saturday in 2024
Iowan of the Day: Barb Runneberg of Algona
Eat something: The fair takes your favorites and makes them easy to eat. Try one of these mobile foods on a stick:
- Chicken in a waffle on a stick
- Bacon Wrapped Rib on a stick
- Funnel Cake on a stick
- Bacon Pecan Pie on a stick
to search for your favorites.
Don't miss: It's coronation day! Take a trip to the Anne and Bill Riley Stage at 7 p.m. to see who will win the crown. The Iowa State Fair queen contest has contestants from each county in the state. Contestants are judged based on several characteristics including personality, attitude, leadership, citizenship, contribution to community, overall appearance, charm and poise. Last year's queen was Elli Blackford of Clarke County.
A fair isn't a fair without amusement rides. Take today to have some thrill-filled fun. Take a float in the Ye Old Mill, reach new heights on the Sky Glider and then fly down the Giant Slide. And visit all three of the fair's "thrill" areas.
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
