Iowa State Fair archives: History and fun facts of an Iowa tradition
The Iowa State Fair has been one of the biggest state traditions for more than 100 years. It draws tens of thousands of people every year from all over the world to ride on the midway to see the prized tears that listen to big name entertainers. But the Iowa State Fair has changed quite *** bit from its early beginnings. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could travel back in time, say about 50 years, and see what the fair was like back then and how it compares to the fair today? Well, through the magic of television, we can do just that. This is home video of the Arthur Johnson family of Palmer shot at the Iowa State Fair some 50 years ago. In it, you can see some familiar buildings, the horse barns, the livestock pavilion. There's the grandstand with the Ferris wheels nearby, and look at the state of the art farm equipment back then. We were primarily agriculture and this certainly was *** showcase of agriculture, but today it's *** showcase for everything and for everybody. You name it, it's here and it's glorious. Herb Lambeck knows the Iowa State Fair. He's been going for some 60 years now. He says the changes are dramatic from the livestock to the people to the type of entertainment you'd find back then. But I go back to the days when they had the great train wreck, two locomotives coming together at 50, 60, 70 miles an hour. What *** sight, and I'll tell you, people were there to see that, me included. He says some things haven't changed over the years. The enthusiasm of the folks who come to the fair and the Iowa State Fair spirit. I don't know how it can be, but some of us that have been around for 60, 70 years still look forward to this Iowa State Fair, and we sincerely believe it's the best in the world.
Iowa State Fair archives: History and fun facts of an Iowa tradition
Updated: 1:06 PM CDT Aug 5, 2024
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As the saying goes: Nothing compares to the Iowa State Fair.Every year, more than 1 million people from around the world flock to Des Moines for 11 days of fair fun.The first Iowa State Fair was held Oct. 25-27, 1854 in Fairfield. It's been held at the fairgrounds in east Des Moines since 1886 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Watch the video above to see a video of the Iowa State Fair from the late 1930's.The 2024 Iowa State Fair will be August 8-18.Fun facts of the Iowa State FairThere are two time capsules buried on the fairgrounds. The first was buried in 1954 to mark the fair's 100th birthday and will be opened in 2054. The second was buried in 1986 to honor the 100th birthday of the fair's current location. That one won't be opened until 2086.In 2002, attendance topped 1 million for the first time (1,008,174). The largest attendance was in 2019 with 1,170,375 attendees.The hottest temperature on record was 108 degrees on August 16, 1983.Over 50 foods are available to eat on a stick.Only six fairs have been canceled: 1898, 1942-1945, and 2020.The largest Grandstand audience, for a single performance, was the Beach Boys in 1975 with 25,400 concertgoers. Click here for more Iowa State Fair trivia.» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayMore from our Iowa State Fair archivesIowa State Fair Archives: The Last Supper butter sculptureRETRO IOWA: Robbie Knievel breaks father's record at the Iowa State Fairvlog Archive: Singing pigs wow Iowa State Fair crowdsIowa State Fair Archives: vlog anchor takes chainsaw challenge
DES MOINES, Iowa — As the saying goes: Nothing compares to the Iowa State Fair.
Every year, more than 1 million people from around the world flock to Des Moines for 11 days of fair fun.
The first Iowa State Fair was held Oct. 25-27, 1854 in Fairfield. It's been held at the fairgrounds in east Des Moines since 1886 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
Watch the video above to see a video of the Iowa State Fair from the late 1930's.
The 2024 will be August 8-18.
Fun facts of the Iowa State Fair
- There are two time capsules buried on the fairgrounds. The first was buried in 1954 to mark the fair's 100th birthday and will be opened in 2054. The second was buried in 1986 to honor the 100th birthday of the fair's current location. That one won't be opened until 2086.
- In 2002, attendance topped 1 million for the first time (1,008,174). The largest attendance was in 2019 with 1,170,375 attendees.
- The hottest temperature on record was 108 degrees on August 16, 1983.
- Over 50 foods are available to eat on a stick.
- Only six fairs have been canceled: 1898, 1942-1945, and 2020.
- The largest Grandstand audience, for a single performance, was the Beach Boys in 1975 with 25,400 concertgoers.
Click for more Iowa State Fair trivia.
» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: |
More from our Iowa State Fair archives
Iowa State Fair Archives: The Last Supper butter sculpture
RETRO IOWA: Robbie Knievel breaks father's record at the Iowa State Fair
vlog Archive: Singing pigs wow Iowa State Fair crowds
Iowa State Fair Archives: vlog anchor takes chainsaw challenge