The Iowa State Fair will be going on daily on Aug. 10 through August 20, 2017, on East 30th St. and East University Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50317. Admission: see site. Here are the top reasons to check out the Iowa State Fair:
Iowa State Thrill Parks
THRILL ZONE, THRILL TOWN, and THRILL VILLE officially opened in 2017. From cutting edge reloadable digital wristbands over to ultra-spectacular rides, join in on the fun in the year 2017 with the all-new THRILL PARKS in the Iowa State Fair, on August 10, 2017 to August 20, 2017. THRILL VILLE: Jaw dropping, thrill seeking, super-speed, gut wrenching screams. Situated between the Ye Old Mill and Grandstand. THRILL TOWN: Pint size thrills for parents and kids. Situated NW of the Richard Jacobson Center and E of Gate Ten. THRILL ZONE: Memory making, heart-stopping, thrilling, and unforgettable rides. Situated W of the Bruce Rastetter 4 H Building that is sponsored by Iowa’s Touchstore Energy Cooperative.
Blue Ribbon Foundation’s Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Celebration
For 25 years, Blue Ribbon Foundation was an important Iowa State Fair component. Since its 1993 inception, the Blue Ribbon Foundation raised over $135 million for capital improvements and renovations upon the historic Iowa St. Fairgrounds. Read about the Foundation’s journey in the book, available for sale inside the State Fair Store situated inside the Robert Horner & Sheri Avis Horner Center. Fairgoers may support the Foundation by buying Iowa State Fair bottled water and memorabilia. And speaking of anniversaries, the year 2017 will mark the Fiftieth anniversary of the First Church upon the Fairgrounds.
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Regional Contest
On Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, catch up with your closest comrades for nationally-acclaimed Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. The leading female and leading male finishers are going to relish in their victory and be welcomed to compete within the Nationwide Nathan’s 4th of July International Hot Dog Contest upon July 4th, 2018. Nathan’s Hot Dogs is going to be offering samples of hot dogs N of the Susan K. Amphitheater Stage on August 11th, 2017 through August 13, 2017 sponsored by Coors Light in conjunction with KSDM Fox 17, media sponsor.
Fair Food
Fair food is amongst the primary Iowa State Fair attractions with almost two-hundred food stands, as well as seventy-five delicious things on-a-stick. All of your favorites are going to return in conjunction with a list of thrilling, occasionally wacky foodie adventures.
New foods this year are going to include: Ultimate Bacon Brisket Grilled Cheese, Ice Cream Nachos, as well as Loaded Tators on a stick (cheese, potatoes, sour cream and bacon dipped in batter and then fried), to name a few. A couple of popular eating spots which draw lengthy lines include Iowa Pork Producers Tent and Iowa Cattlemen’s Tent. Note: It is recommended to go on off hours; however, if you go within peak hours and you do not care about sitting down inside, there’s a window upon the back side of the Cattlemen’s structure, as well as Pork Producers tents in which it is possible to order and take it over to a shady area of your choice.
Fair-Ovation
Be prepared to study the most innovative and latest ideas from the youth in Iowa on Sun., Aug. 13th, 2017 in the Oman Family Youth Inn. Fair-Ovation, within partnership with the governor’s STEM Advisory Council, includes a chance for youth to highlight their inventions, ideas, as well as concepts for experts to assess. You will not want to miss out on Iowa’s future innovators!
Panorama Photo Display
At the Iowa State Fair for 2017, photographers Tony Moline and Tim Olson utilized 1920’s equipment in order to capture a 150’ long panorama portrait that showcased around 800 vendors, exhibitors, and visitors within the Iowa State Fair. The panoramic print, this year, is going to be on display, in conjunciton with excerpts from interviews, within the Patty and Jim Cownie Center Atrium within the Fair.
Nationwide Livestock Shows
On Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, Iowa State Fair has the honor of hosting the Red Angus Nationwide Show within the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion that is sponsored by Prairie Meadows. If you like horses, you’ll be excited about the Nationwide Shire Horse Show on Aug.12th through August 15, 2017 in conjunction with the Nationwide Percheron Show on Aug. 17, 2017 through August 20, 2017. They charge admission to the nightly horse shows.
Tribute Bell – Spirit of Iowa
The Tribute Bell exists to raise awareness of the needs of vets. Fairgoers may be a portion of the development of the bell Aug. 12th, 2017 to August 14, 2017. The completed bell is going to be showcased inside the Veterans Day Parade on Aug. 14th. The bell is set to honor the ones who’ve served, the ones who serve, as well as the ones who are going to serve in the future.
Heroes’ Day
This event will celebrate fire and rescue, EMTs, paramedics and policemen for Iowa State Fair’s opening day on Thurs., Aug. 10th. Special displays are going to be on Grand Ave. and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards, as well as Outstanding Service Awards are going to be presented in the Susan K. Amphitheater that is sponsored by Coors Light with KDSM Fox 17 (media sponsor) at 9:30 a.m. For all that you do, thank you to our Heroes in fire and rescue, police, as well as EMTs.
Extra Parking
It is easy to get to the Fair. Because of popular demand it now will provide extra parking within the NE corner. Fairgoers, for easy access, may take Blue Line Parking Shuttle from NE Lot for $10 to gates 16, 15, and 13. In addition, bike parking is available inside of Gate 10.
Budweiser Clydesdales
At the Iowa State Fair, the American icons are making an additional appearance. Starting at 5:00 p.m., Budweiser Clydesdales are going to have a parade on Aug. 16, 2017 through August 20, 2017. In 1933, from their initial appearance to their enduring existence upon the American landscape, the Budweiser Clydesdales are more than merely Budweiser beer’s symbol; they’re the embodiment of the great industrial spirit in America. In 2014, was their last appearance in the Fair. Get more info on things to do in Des Moines here.
