Final touches being made in preparation for Iowa State Fair

Date:2025-08-07 08:59:00 Category:US Views:1 Comment:0

DES MOINES, Iowa — The countdown to the Iowa State Fair is almost over. The gates open Thursday morning at 8 a.m., but before then, organizers are putting on their finishing touches.

The day before started with a little rain but the sun was shining by the afternoon. The fair grounds were full of workers checking in, setting up and enjoying the calm before the storm.

“A little rain to kind of get everything all shined up, slowed preparations a little bit. But thankfully, we were in good shape and we’ll be ready for opening day, bright and early tomorrow morning,” Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons said.

While fair traditions make the experience great, there are also several new additions.

There is a new Variety inclusive playground that is agriculture themed, there is Shiver’s plaza- which has shade, picnic tables and restrooms, and there’s also a brand new entrance on the west side.

Everything you need to know before you go to the Iowa State Fair

Some new foods will be The Scotcheroo Shake, Three Little Pigs ham balls, and Bacon Chicken Ranch Eggrolls. There’s lots to explore and enjoy this year.

“I think really for fairgoers this year, it’s a chance to really just have a better experience while they’re here,” Parsons said.

He also said the Iowa State Fair is on pace to sell the most grandstand tickets ever.

“This year we have a really diverse grandstand lineup that has been really well-received,” Parsons said. “As of now, we’ve got three shows that are limited availability. So that means there aren’t two seats together. Those shows for us are Forrest Frank, Megan Moroney and Pitbull. So what happens when a show goes into limited availability? Tomorrow morning, first day of the fair, 9 a.m. at our ticket office located here on the administration building porch, we will open up a section of standing room only tickets. But again, you can only get those tickets in person here at the Iowa State Fair box office starting at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning.”

Forrest Frank opens up the grandstand Thursday night. There was concern of him getting injured in a skateboarding accident playing with his children, but he is okay and will be good to perform. This will be the largest Christian concert in the history of the Iowa State Fair.

Another reminder, new this year, you are allowed to bring food and drinks, just not glass or alcohol.