Friday, January 8, 2010

Find us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube

Thanks for stopping by, but we're not actively blogging right now. We are, however, actively engaged in social media on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube so check us out there! And as always, the latest Fair info is at iowastatefair.org.

See you at the Fair in August!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

2009 State Fair Midway Full of Thrills and Savings


The 2009 Iowa State Fair, set August 13-23, has enough heart-stopping entertainment on the midway and thrill rides to test even the bravest Fairgoers. And with several ways to save, Fairgoers can enjoy even more rides.

The Fair welcomes Belle City Amusements, bringing new rides and lower prices to the midway this year. Don’t miss The Fighter, whose spinning seats lift riders 30 feet in the air and then swing in an 88-foot circle! Ride prices may vary.

Fairgoers can save big at the midway for the 2009 Fair. New this year, purchase a set of five midway tickets for $13; each ticket good for one ride. For an even bigger day of midway excitement, purchase a Mega Pass wristband for just $25. It includes unlimited mechanical rides any one Fair day from open to close, including weekends. These midway special savings must be purchased by August 12 and are available while supplies last at the State Fair Ticket Office and online at www.iowastatefair.org. Mega Passes can also be purchased at statewide Walgreens and Des Moines-area Hy-Vee stores.

West of Walnut Square, thrill rides are guaranteed heart-pounding entertainment. The new Crazy Mouse rollercoaster not only speeds riders down a zig-zagging track, but spins each car around in a complete circle at the same time. Cost is $4.50 per ride per person. The Ejection Seat, which uses two huge bungee cords to launch riders 150 feet into the air at speeds of 60 mph, and the Skyscraper that blasts Fairgoers 160 feet in the air in mere seconds will be returning to the Fair this year. Cost to ride may vary.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Opening Day Gate Admission “Canned” at Iowa State Fair Food Drive

On opening day, August 13, the Iowa State Fair is trading gate admission to help Iowans in need. From 5-7 a.m. get one free admission with a minimum donation of two canned food items or $2 to the Food Bank of Iowa. One admission per person per donation (parking not included).

Today, more Iowans than ever are turning to the Food Bank of Iowa to help feed their families. The Fair is aiming to collect 65,000 pounds of food, which would provide 41,578 meals to Iowans in need.

The opening day celebrations kick-off in the Grandstand at 5 a.m. with a special appearance by Olympic gold medalist and Fair Parade Marshall Shawn Johnson at 7:30 a.m. followed by opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. From 5-8 a.m. Fairgoers can collect raffle tickets for a chance to snag thousands in cash and prizes in the cash cube.

Those attending the Fair later in the day can also enjoy $2 off regular adult admission from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a donation of two canned food items or $1 donation to the Food Bank of Iowa (cannot be combined with other offers). Gate admission is half-price after 5 p.m. Monday through Thursdays.

Fair festivities continue all day with contests, games, food and entertainment including performances by The Nadas, Drew Seeley, Firefall and Trailer Choir. Christian music stars Steven Curtis Chapman and Jeremy Camp will light up the Grandstand stage at 8 p.m. Tickets for the Grandstand show are $27 (plus convenience charges) and are available through Ticketmaster and the Iowa State Fair Ticket Office.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

NEW! This year at the 2009 Fair!


Rock Painting by Ray “Bubba” Sorenson
Cultural Center Atrium (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
Ray “Bubba” Sorenson is primed and ready to wow Fairgoers with his rock-solid talent and creative flare. Stop by the Cultural Center to see the “rock” artist in action as he completes a new Iowa-themed mural each day of the Fair. If inspiration strikes, feel free to grab a brush and begin your own masterpiece on one of the small rocks waiting in the wings.


Fishing Friendzy
Daily, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Expo Hill
Stop by the Fishing Friendzy Bait Shop, load up your tackle box, and grab your rod and reel. Try your hand at casting with the Bull’s-eye Challenge before competing in the Reel ‘Em In Quick obstacle course and hooking the big one in the Fishing Derby. Check out the photos in our photo album!

Welde’s Big Bear Show and Grizzly Falls
Daily, Noon, 2 & 4 p.m., Walnut Square
From full-grown to tiny tots, these cute, cuddly and furry grizzlies educate audiences about the importance of habitat conservation while acting out remarkable tricks and eye-catching stunts. Drop in for one of the daily show times at Noon, 2 and 4 p.m. or just stop by to see the bears play in their Grizzly Falls exhibit throughout the day. Check out the photos in our photo album!

Wine Experience
Daily, Grandfather’s Farm
Stomp grapes, sample wine and learn more about Iowa’s wine and grape industry at the new wine exhibit at Grandfather’s Barn. Pick up a bottle of Chancellor, the Fair’s new dry red wine, or a bottle of the Fair’s sweet crisp Edelweiss.

Butter Sculpting Contest
August 17-23, Milking Parlor

Now Fairgoers can get in on the butter sculpting action. Names will be drawn after each milking demonstration for the chance to test their skills in a sculpting competition. Don’t forget to check out the world-famous Butter Cow in the Agriculture Building.

Quilting Sew-In
Daily, Noon – 5 p.m., Varied Industries Building
Stop by the first-ever State Fair Sew-In to try your hand at simple quilting. Volunteers will be on hand to teach quilting basics. Each participant will receive a commemorative pin and completed quilts will be donated to the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital and Iowa Angel Tree Camps.

Belle City Amusements
Daily, 10 a.m. – Midnight
The Fair welcomes Belle City Amusements, bringing new rides and lower prices to the midway. Don’t miss The Fighter, whose spinning seats lift riders 30 feet in the air and then swing in an 88-foot circle! Ride prices may vary. Now there are even more ways to save! Buy discounted midway tickets before the Fair or a Mega Pass wristband good for one day of unlimited rides.

Stitch This!
August 22, 7:30 p.m., 4-H Exhibits Building
Inspired by the hit TV show “Project Runway,” this 4-H competition challenges teams of high school youth to deconstruct a wedding dress and design it into new wearable garments in just 16 hours. Catch their creativity as they take to the runway for final judging on August 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

2009 Free Entertainment Line-up


More than $500,000 in Free Entertainment
Julianne Hough, Matt Nathanson, Jaci Velasquez Among “State Fair Time” Stars


The Iowa State Fair free stage line-up features some of the nation’s biggest stars – all free with gate admission. The 2009 Fair runs August 13-23.

A complete listing of event dates, times and locations follows:

Anderson Erickson Dairy Stage sponsored by KCCI NewsChannel 8
August 13-15: The Nadas (7 & 9 p.m.)
August 16: Authentic Records Live (begins at Noon): Benjamin Wagner, Mike Himebaugh of Hello Dave, She Swings, She Sways, Bonne Finken, Fat Andy, Todd Pipes of Deep Blue Something, Dick Prall, The Josh Davis Band
August 17: Coolio (8 p.m.)
August 18: Black Stone Cherry (8 p.m.)
August 19-20: Hairball (7 & 9 p.m.)
August 21-22: The Blue Band (7 & 9 p.m.)
August 23: Matt Nathanson (8 p.m.)

Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi
August 13: Drew Seeley (8 p.m.)
August 14: Sioux City Rockestra (7 & 9 p.m.)
August 15-17: Hypnotist Ron Diamond (7 & 9 p.m.)
August 18-21: Vocal Trash (7 & 9 p.m.)
August 22: Bill Riley All-Star Show (7 p.m.)
August 23: Jaci Velasquez (8 p.m.)

Budweiser Stage sponsored by ABC5
August 13-14: Firefall (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)
August 15-16: Head East (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)
August 17-18: Pure Prairie League (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)
August 19-21: Papa Doo Run Run (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)
August 22: Richie Lee and the Fabulous Fifties (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)
August 23: Richie Lee and the Fabulous Fifties (6 & 8 p.m.)

Susan Knapp Amphitheater sponsored by Chevrolet with media sponsor KDSM FOX 17
August 13: Trailer Choir (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)
August 14: Jace Everett (8 p.m.)
August 15: Randy Houser (8 p.m.)
August 16: Heidi Newfield (8 p.m.)
August 17-19: Jason Brown (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)
August 19: Jerrod Niemann (Noon & 2 p.m.)
August 20: Country Gold (6 & 8:30 p.m.)
August 21: Lo Cash Cowboys (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)
August 22: Lost Trailers (8 p.m.)
August 23: Julianne Hough (7 p.m.)

Hy-Vee Fun Forest Stage (all shows ASL interpreted)
August 13-23: Denise Shipler presented by VSA of Iowa (11 a.m., 1, 3 & 4:30 p.m., no 11:00 show on Friday, August 14th due to VSA Opening Ceremonies.)
August 13-23: Steve Trash - Green Magic Show (11:30 a.m., 1:30 & 3:30 p.m., no 11:30 show on Friday, August 14th due to VSA Opening Ceremonies.)
August 13-23: The Rhinestone Roper Show (Noon, 2 & 4 p.m.)

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

2009 Grandstand Line-up

Kelly Clarkson, winner of two Grammy awards and recent number one hit “My Life Would Suck Without You”, is scheduled to perform, as well as Fair favorites Brooks & Dunn, who have several Grammy’s and more than 20 #1 hits under their belt, with opener Jamey Johnson. Rock legends Journey will bring back the sensational sounds of the seventies and eighties with special guest Heart.


2009 Grandstand Line-up
presented by U.S. Cellular


August 13: Steven Curtis Chapman and Jeremy Camp, 8 p.m., $27

August 14: Gary Allan with special guest Chuck Wicks, 8 p.m., $32

August 15: Peter Frampton with special guest Gin Blossoms, 8 p.m., $32

August 16: Big and Rich with Cowboy Troy and special guest Candy Coburn, 8 p.m., $38

August 17: Bret Michaels (special guest to be announced), 8 p.m., $32

August 18: Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models, 5:30 p.m. Hot Laps, 6:00 p.m. Races, $15 adults, $5 children ages 6-11

August 19: Grand Outlaw National Tractor and Truck Pull sponsored by Iowa Farmer Today, 2 p.m., $20 Adults, $10 children ages 6-11

August 20: Shinedown (special guest to be announced), 8 p.m., $27

August 21: Brooks and Dunn with special guest Jamey Johnson, 8 p.m., $40

August 22: Demolition Derby, 10 a.m., $12 adults, $5 children ages 6-11

August 22: Kelly Clarkson (special guest to be announced), 8 p.m., $38

August 23: Journey with special guest Heart, 8 p.m., $45


Ticket Info
Tickets for all concert and track events will go on sale Saturday, April 11 at 10 a.m. through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

All concert events are reserved seating; track events are general admission. Beginning July 13, the Fair’s Ticket Office will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays - Fridays and 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturdays for walk-up orders only (no mail, phone or fax orders). Convenience charges will apply to all tickets. Grandstand tickets do not include admission to the Fair.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Still looking for the perfect gift?

How about tickets to the other most wonderful time of the year – the Iowa State Fair! Tickets are on sale now and will only be available online at iowastatefair.org.

Choose from $7 adult admission tickets or punch cards with 11-days worth of admission ($77). Shipping and handling fees apply.

Tickets will be available through December 31. Allow one week for mailing time.