THE SUN ISN’T UP YET, BUT TODAY IS GOING TO BE THE FINAL DAY OF THE 2020 IOWA STATE FAIR. IT HAS BEEN REALLY A BRUTALLY HOT WEEKEND SO FAR, AND TODAY IS GOING TO BE NO DIFFERENT. vlog NICOLE TAM WAS OUT THERE AT THE FAIRGROUNDS CHECKING IN ON THE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE ALL THE IOWANS CAN STAY SAFE WHILE HAVING FUN. THIS DES MOINES FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRST AID TEN HAS BEEN BUSY ON FRIDAY, RESPONDING TO MULTIPLE MEDICAL EMERGENCIES. WE’RE TOLD BY OFFICIALS SOME OF THEM WERE HEAT RELATED AND MORE CREWS ARE ON STANDBY IF NEEDED. BEFORE FEELS LIKE TEMPERATURES SOARED INTO THE TRIPLE DIGITS. MANY FAIRGOERS WERE ALREADY TRYING TO STAY COOL SATURDAY MORNING, WEARING THE RIGHT CLOTHING, DRINKING A COOL BEVERAGE OR HAVING A FAN. LIEUTENANT JEAN EMERY WITH THE DES MOINES FIRE DEPARTMENT WORKED AT THE FAIRGROUNDS FRIDAY NIGHT, HE SAID. CREWS RESPONDED TO AN ABOVE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF CALLS. THAT’S WHY, HE SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE AND PREPARE FOR THE IMPACT OF HEAT. IF YOU TYPICALLY ARE ONLY OUTSIDE FOR 30 MINUTES A DAY, YOU DON’T REALIZE WHAT EIGHT HOURS IN THIS KIND OF WEATHER CAN DO TO YOU. SO IT REALLY CAN BE UNUSUAL. IT CAN BE VERY TAXING. DON’T BE AFRAID TO COME IN AND SEE US. WE’VE GOT COOLING CENTERS IN THE FIRST AID STATIONS. THERE’S SEVERAL FACILITIES HERE ON THE GROUNDS THAT YOU CAN GO IN THE AIR CONDITIONING. WHETHER YOU’RE GOING INSIDE A BUILDING WITH AC TO COOL OFF OR GOING HIGH ABOVE ON THE SKY GLIDER, IT’S IMPORTANT TO THINK OF WAYS TO STAY COOL WHILE HAVING FUN AT THE STATE FAIRGROUNDS. NICOLE TAM, vlog EIGHT NEWS IOWA’S NEWS LEADER. PLAN AHEAD. AND THAT INCLUDES KNOWING THAT SEVERAL BUILDINGS ON THE FAIRGROUNDS HAVE AIR CONDITIONING. IF YOU NEED A BREAK, THEY’RE LABELED ON THE MAP ON YOUR SCREEN RIGHT NOW, SEVERAL OF THEM OUT THERE. PLACES LIKE THE VARIED INDUSTRIES BUILDING, THE ANIMAL LEARNING CENTER AN
Iowa State Fair implements safety measures amid extreme heat
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Updated: 2:52 PM CDT Aug 17, 2025
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The Iowa State Fair is taking extra precautions to keep fairgoers safe as temperatures soar into the triple digits on the final day of the event.The Des Moines Fire Department has been busy at the fairgrounds, responding to various medical needs, including heat-related issues, with extra crews ready to assist if necessary. Lt. Gene Emery, who worked at the fairgrounds Friday night, said crews responded to an above-average number of calls. "If you typically are only outside for 30 minutes of the day, you don't realize what eight hours in this kind of weather can do to you. So it really can be unusual. Can be very taxing," Emery said. He encouraged fairgoers to visit cooling centers and first aid stations, saying, "Don't be afraid to come in and see us. We've got cooling centers in the first aid stations or several facilities here on the grounds that you can go in the air conditioning."Fairgoers have been trying to stay cool by wearing appropriate clothing, drinking cool beverages, and using fans. Whether seeking refuge in air-conditioned buildings or riding the sky glider, attendees are advised to enjoy the fair safely in the heat.Several buildings on the fairgrounds, including the Varied Industries Building, Animal Learning Center, and Jacobson Exhibition Center, are equipped with air conditioning to provide relief from the heat.» See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here.
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa State Fair is taking extra precautions to keep fairgoers safe as temperatures soar into the triple digits on the final day of the event.
The Des Moines Fire Department has been busy at the fairgrounds, responding to various medical needs, including heat-related issues, with extra crews ready to assist if necessary.
Lt. Gene Emery, who worked at the fairgrounds Friday night, said crews responded to an above-average number of calls.
"If you typically are only outside for 30 minutes of the day, you don't realize what eight hours in this kind of weather can do to you. So it really can be unusual. Can be very taxing," Emery said.
He encouraged fairgoers to visit cooling centers and first aid stations, saying, "Don't be afraid to come in and see us. We've got cooling centers in the first aid stations or several facilities here on the grounds that you can go in the air conditioning."
Fairgoers have been trying to stay cool by wearing appropriate clothing, drinking cool beverages, and using fans. Whether seeking refuge in air-conditioned buildings or riding the sky glider, attendees are advised to enjoy the fair safely in the heat.
Several buildings on the fairgrounds, including the Varied Industries Building, Animal Learning Center, and Jacobson Exhibition Center, are equipped with air conditioning to provide relief from the heat.
» See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here.
