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Day 2 guide to the Iowa State Fair: What to do at the fairgrounds Friday, Aug. 8

Day 2 guide to the Iowa State Fair: What to do at the fairgrounds Friday, Aug. 8
51-point-9-9 seconds. Tonight is áeast-side nightá at the Iowa State Fair. the community gathers at the grounds on the first Friday of the fair each year. vlog's Pepper Purpura is live on Grande avenue now - Pepper - Ben - Stacey Eastsiders are gathered down at the Bud Tent and The Depot right now. We talked with some of the community about their special tradition - << "50317 - THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT">> Drinking beers- <<NAT>> and catching up << "IT'S A GIANT FAMILY REUNION. YOU KNOW, US IOWANS, WE COME TOGETHER IN AUGUST FOR THE STATE FAIR. THERE'S SO MANY TRADITIONS AND LEGACIES AND STUFF THAT PEOPLE EMBRACE OUT HERE. SO HAVING EAST SIDE NIGHT TO KICK OFF THE FIRST WEEKEND OF THE FAIR IS JUST THE BEST." >> East side night at the Iowa state fair is underway - <<WE'RE ALL PRETTY PROUD OF, WHERE WE GREW UP AND THE SIDE OF TOWN AND STUFF.>> drawing out all with roots in the community east of Des Moines' downtown. << " IT'S A CLASS REUNON, I MOVED AWAY. SO I LOVE COMING BACK AND SEEING ALL MY FRIENDS FROM HIGH SCHOOL, I DON'T GET TO SEE EVERY DAY." >> Although it's not an official State fair event, the community claims the fair's first Friday as their own - << "THE FAIR IS ON THE EAST SIDE SO IT FEELS GOOD TO HAVE A NIGHT DEDICATED TO US AND OUR COMMUNITY ON THE EASTSIDE." >> To reconnect - <<NAT OF PEOPLE SOCIALIZING>> -and show their Eastside pride -
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Updated: 4:00 PM CDT Aug 7, 2025
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Day 2 guide to the Iowa State Fair: What to do at the fairgrounds Friday, Aug. 8
vlog logo
Updated: 4:00 PM CDT Aug 7, 2025
Editorial Standards
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 from 2024: East-siders talk about the State Fair tradition of East Side NightThis 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 2 of the 2025 Iowa State Fair. Day 2: Friday, Aug. 8Grandstand: Parker McCollum with special guest Josh Abbott Band, 8 p.m.; ticketsFree stage headliners: Creed Fisher 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.; The Nadas at the MidAmerican Energy Stage, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.Weather: It'll be hot and sunny Friday with a high in the low-90s and the heat index nearing triple digits. A heat advisory is in effect for much of Iowa from 1-7 p.m. Check out vlog's daily forecast here.Daily attendance record: 115,703 on the first Friday in 2001Iowan of the Day: Emily Grell of DanburyLive vlog newscast: 4:30-5 p.m. at the MidAmerican Energy StageDrink something: The fair introduced 36 new drinks this year, 26 of which are alcohol-free.Frozen Strawberry Acai Refresher: A mix of strawberry and açai flavors with a frozen base (alcohol-free).Cotton Candy Soda Pop: Fizzy cotton-candy flavored soda with edible glitter (alcohol-free).Pink Pony Cooler: A gluten-free sour brewed with pink guava and agave. It's mixed with Cotton Candy Sour. (alcoholic)The Yellowstone: Grapefruit juice with a squeeze of lime on top of a drop of honey. It's topped with a slice of grapefruit is covered in tajín (alcoholic)Use the Iowa State Fair's food (and drink) finder to search for your favorites.Don't miss: Check out fresh and Iowa-grown products at the Farmers Markets. It's located behind the Animal Learning Center and is the place for vendors to sell locally grown fruits and vegetables, flowers, jerky, handmade soaps and more. It's open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day of the fair.The first Friday night of the fair is East Side Night. It's where Des Moines eastsiders come together at different areas of the fair for an unofficial Lee Township and East High School reunion.Air-conditioned buildings on the fairgroundsThere are 10 buildings with air conditioning at the Iowa State Fair, according to officials. They include the Cultural Center, Varied Industries Building, Youth Inn, Pavilion, Elwell Family Food Center, Service Center, Animal Learning Center, Maytag Family Theaters Kitchen, Jacobson Exhibition Center, 4-H Building.Iowa State Fair: 10 air-conditioned buildings on the fairgroundsGrandstand ticket salesFair officials say they sold 15,804 tickets to Thursday night's Forrest Frank concert. Frank was one of three acts to sell at least 14,500 ahead of Opening Day.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 from 2024: East-siders talk about the State Fair tradition of East Side Night

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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 2 of the 2025 Iowa State Fair.

Day 2: Friday, Aug. 8

Grandstand: Parker McCollum with special guest Josh Abbott Band, 8 p.m.;

Free stage headliners: Creed Fisher 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.; The Nadas at the MidAmerican Energy Stage, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Weather: It'll be hot and sunny Friday with a high in the low-90s and the heat index nearing triple digits. A heat advisory is in effect for much of Iowa from 1-7 p.m. Check out vlog's daily forecast here.

Daily attendance record: 115,703 on the first Friday in 2001

Iowan of the Day: Emily Grell of Danbury

Live vlog newscast: 4:30-5 p.m. at the MidAmerican Energy Stage

Drink something: The fair introduced 36 new drinks this year, 26 of which are alcohol-free.

  • Frozen Strawberry Acai Refresher: A mix of strawberry and açai flavors with a frozen base (alcohol-free).
  • Cotton Candy Soda Pop: Fizzy cotton-candy flavored soda with edible glitter (alcohol-free).
  • Pink Pony Cooler: A gluten-free sour brewed with pink guava and agave. It's mixed with Cotton Candy Sour. (alcoholic)
  • The Yellowstone: Grapefruit juice with a squeeze of lime on top of a drop of honey. It's topped with a slice of grapefruit is covered in tajín (alcoholic)

to search for your favorites.

Don't miss: Check out fresh and Iowa-grown products at the Farmers Markets. It's located behind the Animal Learning Center and is the place for vendors to sell locally grown fruits and vegetables, flowers, jerky, handmade soaps and more. It's open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day of the fair.

The first Friday night of the fair is East Side Night. It's where Des Moines eastsiders come together at different areas of the fair for an unofficial Lee Township and East High School reunion.

Air-conditioned buildings on the fairgrounds

There are 10 buildings with air conditioning at the Iowa State Fair, according to officials. They include the Cultural Center, Varied Industries Building, Youth Inn, Pavilion, Elwell Family Food Center, Service Center, Animal Learning Center, Maytag Family Theaters Kitchen, Jacobson Exhibition Center, 4-H Building.

Iowa State Fair: 10 air-conditioned buildings on the fairgrounds

Grandstand ticket sales

Fair officials say they sold 15,804 tickets to Thursday night's Forrest Frank concert. Frank was one of three acts to sell at least 14,500 ahead of Opening Day.

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