Thursday, Aug 7, 2025 at 8:00am
Schedule:
Midamerican Energy Day
Join Midamerican Energy And Learn More About Our Commitment To Serving Customers With Safe, Reliable And Affordable Energy. Try Our Hands-On Electric Generator Acɵviɵes, Nominate Your Favorite Charity For The Cares Daily Donaɵon And Spin The Wheel To Win Fun Prizes.
Heroes’ Day Presented By Suffolk Construction
Heroes’ Day, Presented By Suffolk Construcɵon, Celebrates Emts, Fire And Rescue, Police Officers, And Paramedics. Special Displays Will Be On Grand Avenue. Wear A Shirt Represenɵng Your Hometown Department In Honor Of Those Who Serve Our Communiɵes.
11th Annual Historical Walking Tour
Iowans Are Invited To Take A Step Forward For Their Health By Taking A Step Back Into Fair History At The 11th Annual Historical Walking Tour Hosted By The State Historical Society Of Iowa And The Iowa Healthiest State Iniɵaɵve. This Free Walking Tour Begins At 8:15 A.M. On The Grand Concourse (Near The Administraɵon Building) And Ends At The State Fair Opening Ceremonies In Fun Forest. Guides Will Make Mulɵple Stops At Historic Sites Along The 1k Route.
Gate Admission
Adult (ages 12 and up): $16
Child (ages 6-11): $10
Under 5: Free
AŌer 10 p.m., there are no on-site Ɵcket sales or entry/re-entry at the gates
Special Savings
Monday-Thursday Evenings: $12 Adult (Ages 12 And Up), $8 Child (Ages 6-11)
During The Fair, You’re In Luck, Save A Buck. Monday-Thursday, Every Ride And Game In Thrill Town (10
A.M. To 4 P.M.) And Thrill Ville (11 A.M. To 4 P.M.) Is $1 Off.
Thrill Park Wristband
Good During Fair time Only On Any Ride Or Game In Thrill Town And Thrill Ville. Tickets And Credits Can Be Purchased And Reloaded Onto The Thrill Park Wristband At Any Thrill Park Kiosk In Thrill Town Or Thrill Ville.
$1 For 1 Credit
Thrill Park Wristbands Are Not Valid In Thrill Zone.
Upon Iniɵal Purchase Of A Thrill Park Wristband, A One-Ɵme $1 Fee Is Charged.
Entertainment:
Iowa State Fair Grandstand presented by Iowa Lottery – Krause Group Stage
Drone Show presented by Travel Iowa
Fireworks Spectacular presented by Coca-Cola
The Fair’s largest stage with 11 nights of top performers; buy Grandstand Ɵckets at iowastatefair.org.
Prices include facility fees charged on all Ɵckets. Pricing varies based on EƟx service fees charged for online and phone orders.
8 p.m. Forrest Frank with special guest Lecrae ($34-64; Limited Tickets Available)
10:30 p.m. Iowa State Fair Drone Show, to follow Grandstand show
10:45 p.m. Fireworks Spectacular to follow Drone show
Anne and Bill Riley Stage
sponsored by Pepsi with media sponsor iHeart
Local and naƟonal touring entertainment; Talent Search
9 a.m. Twins, Triplets, and More Contest (registraƟon 8:15 a.m.-9 a.m.)
Noon Iowan of the Day PresentaƟon
12:30 p.m. Bill Riley Talent Search (to follow Iowan of the Day)
7 p.m. The Holy Rocka Rollaz
9 p.m. The Holy Rocka Rollaz
Elwell Family Park
West outdoor arena with covered bleachers; acƟon dirt events
10 a.m. AnƟque Tractor Pull (Free; gates open at 9 a.m.)
Expo Hill
Free entertainment; MidAmerican Energy Wind Turbine and EducaƟon Center
10 a.m. Chainsaw Carvers Gary Keenan, T.J. Jenkins and Clint Henik
Noon Chainsaw Carvers Gary Keenan, T.J. Jenkins and Clint Henik
3:30 p.m. Chainsaw Carvers Gary Keenan, T.J. Jenkins and Clint Henik
5:30 p.m. Chainsaw Carvers Gary Keenan, T.J. Jenkins and Clint Henik
Hy-Vee Fun Forest
Variety Star Playground, stage with kid programming, Blue Ribbon Kids' Club
Fun Forest Stage
sponsored by Community Choice Credit Union
9 a.m. Opening Ceremonies
10 a.m. Blue Ribbon Kids' Club Make and Take T-Shirt Day
11:30 a.m. Brad Weston
12:30 p.m. The Chipper Experience - Where Comedy and Magic Collide
1:30 p.m. Brad Weston
2:30 p.m. The Chipper Experience - Where Comedy and Magic Collide
3:30 p.m. Brad Weston
4:30 p.m. The Chipper Experience - Where Comedy and Magic Collide
MidAmerican Energy Stage
with Iowa Realty and media sponsor KCCI TV8
Local and naƟonal touring entertainment; KCCI TV8 live news
9 a.m. Currie Dance Studio, Urbandale
11 a.m. Irish Performance Team, Boone
1 p.m. A T and CO Dance Studio, West Des Moines
4:30 p.m. KCCI TV8 News
8 p.m. Taylor Inspired Dance Party
The Lawn
West of Richard O. Jacobson ExhibiƟon Center; outdoor entertainment; concessions
11 a.m. The Flying Royals
12:30 p.m. The Flying Royals
2 p.m. The Flying Royals
4:30 p.m. The Flying Royals
6 p.m. The Flying Royals
7:30 p.m. The Flying Royals
Strolling Acts
Around the Fairgrounds
11 a.m. Bandaloni
11:30 a.m. The Ice Cream Show with Greg Frisbee
Noon Hillbilly Bob
1 p.m. Bandaloni
2 p.m. The Ice Cream Show with Greg Frisbee
3 p.m. Bandaloni
4:30 p.m. The Ice Cream Show with Greg Frisbee
Susan Knapp Amphitheater
sponsored by Prairie Meadows with media sponsor WHO TV13
Local and naƟonal touring entertainment; WHO TV13 Hello Iowa show
9 a.m. The Dance Avenue, Dance Studio, Norwalk
11 a.m. Hello Iowa - WHO TV13
1:30 p.m. Devine Dancers, Dance Studio
4 p.m. Iowa State Fair Queen IntroducƟons
8 p.m. Ty Myers
Bar And Restaurant Entertainment
Blue Ribbon Bar and Eatery
Located southeast of the Grandstand
3 p.m. DJ Yacovana
5 p.m. Jordan Beem
7 p.m. Royce Johns
Bubbly Bar and Bistro
Located west of Grandfather’s Barn
12:30 p.m. Zach Freedom
6:30 p.m. Toast3r
Bud Tent
Located east of Ye Old Mill
6 p.m. Garrett Speer
9 p.m. Bryan MarƟn
Iowa CraŌ Beer Tent
Located west of Jacobson ExhibiƟon Center
7 p.m. The SINCLAIRS
Jalapeno Pete’s
Located southwest of Thrill Ville
1 p.m. Brad Seidenfeld
4 p.m. Stark Raving Madge
8 p.m. The Schmidt Brothers
JR’s SouthPork Ranch
Located west of the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion, on Rock Island Avenue
Noon Kelsie Knapp
2:30 p.m. Emmet Sheehan
5 p.m. Jordan Beem
8 p.m. Tyler Richton and The High Bank Boys
Stockman’s Inn
Located at the southwest corner of the Cattle Barn
7 p.m. Daniel Johnson
Livestock Awards, Judging And Shows
Bob and Deb Pulver Outdoor Arena
Livestock compeƟƟons; special events
10 a.m. FFA Beef Cattle Show: Breeding
Pioneer Livestock Pavilion
sponsored by Pioneer Seed
Livestock compeƟƟons; special events
8:30 a.m. Dairy Cattle Show: Holstein
9 a.m. Dairy Cattle Show: Ayrshire, Milking Shorthorn
11:45 a.m. Dairy Cattle Show: All Breeds Novice
7 p.m. Cattle Show: Super Bull Contest
Richard O. Jacobson ExhibiƟon Center and Horse Barn
Horse shows and exhibitors; Horse Haven; Vet Camp and Advanced Vet Camp sponsored by Agri-Pro
Enterprises
9 a.m. Horse Haven
9 a.m. 4-H Horse Show
9 a.m. Vet Camp (pre-registraƟon required), Conference Room
1 p.m. FFA Horse Show
1:30 p.m. Vet Camp (pre-registraƟon required), Conference Room
Sheep Barn
Sheep; Big Ram; Sheep Stop
8:30 a.m. FFA Sheep Show: Market and Carcass Lamb
9 a.m. Sheep Stop
9:30 a.m. Sheep Show: Corriedale
11 a.m. Have You Herd? Live Animal Demonstration, Outside, Southeast corner
Noon Sheep Show: Big Ram Contest
1 p.m. Sheep Show: Rambouillet
3 p.m. Have You Herd? Live Animal Demonstration, Outside, Southeast corner
5 p.m. Have You Herd? Live Animal Demonstration, Outside, Southeast corner
6 p.m. Wool Show
Swine Barn
Swine; Big Boar; Pig Place
8:30 a.m. FFA Swine Show: Purebred Market, Commercial Gilt and Registered Breeding
9 a.m. Pig Place
10 a.m. FFA Rabbit Show
1 p.m. Swine Show: Big Boar Contest
2 p.m. FFA Swine Show: Carcass Value
7 p.m. FFA Swine: Blue and Gold Gilt Sale Parade
7:30 p.m. FFA Swine: Blue and Gold Gilt Sale
Fair Day Events
Avenue of Breeds (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
presented by Iowa Bankers AssociaƟon, west of the 4-H Exhibits Building
70 breeds of unique Iowa livestock; managed by North Polk FFA
Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Exhibits Building (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
sponsored by Touchstone Energy® CooperaƟves of Iowa
4-H exhibits, displays and presentaƟons
9 a.m. EducaƟonal PresentaƟons and Working Exhibits
10 a.m. 4-H AutomoƟve Conference Judging, Outside of 4-H Exhibits Building
Noon Share-the-Fun
1:30 p.m. EducaƟonal PresentaƟons and Working Exhibits
5 p.m. Share-the-Fun
Department of Natural Resources Building (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Outdoor courtyard presentaƟons; pop-up programs; aquariums
11 a.m. Monarchs and Milkweed, Courtyard Stage
1 p.m. AdaptaƟons are SuperPowers - Live Animal Program, Courtyard Stage
3 p.m. Naturally ArƟsƟc Kids, Courtyard Stage
5 p.m. Tree - via - DNR Daily Trivia - Topic: Trees and Insects, Courtyard Stage
Elwell Family Food Center (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
sponsored by Choose Iowa
Competitive food judging and displays; Blue Ribbon FoundaƟon Merchandise Store (unƟl 5 p.m.)
9:30 a.m. Board Fun Judging, Room 2
9:30 a.m. Build-A-Cake Judging, Room 1
9:30 a.m. Cinnamon Ridge Favorite Cheese Curds Judging, Room 3
9:30 a.m. Tammie's No Bake Desserts Judging, Room 4
10:30 a.m. Cinnamon Ridge Farms Amazing Ribs Judging, Room 3
11 a.m. Cake Takes the Gold(ie's) Judging, Rooms 1 and 2
11 a.m. Winning Ways with Cinnamon Rolls seminar, Lana Shope, owner of Pies and Pastries by Lana,
Iowa State Fair Judge, Room 4
Noon Always Room for Dessert Judging, Room 3
2 p.m. Kids Chef Baking Championship: Level 1 Judging, Room 3
3 p.m. Let's Have Tea Judging, Room 2
3 p.m. Macarons or Macaroons Judging, Room 1
3 p.m. Yeast Bread for Beginners seminar, Kay Fenton Smith, Co-Author of Baking Blue Ribbon Winners, Room 4
3:30 p.m. Best in Dough Judging, Room 1
FFA Display Building and Headquarters (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Chapter exhibits; agricultural Demonstrations and working displays
2:30 p.m. FFA Photography Awards PresentaƟon
The Garden (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
sponsored by Corteva Agriscience
Display of crops, plants, vegetables and special events, managed by Bondurant FFA; Iowa State Fair
Farmers Market
10 a.m. "I Picked" at The Garden
4 p.m. Iowa State Fair Farmers Market
7 p.m. Wine Down in The Garden
Grand Concourse
Main east-west road on the Iowa State Fairgrounds
Heroes' Day Display
MidAmerican Energy Day of Fair Display, In Front of Service Center
8:15 a.m. 11th Annual Historical Walking Tour, In Front of AdministraƟon Building
9 a.m. Local 5 Weather Lab Experience and Broadcast Booth, In Front of AdministraƟon Building
10 a.m. Louie the Lightning Bug and/or Sniffy the Sniffasaurus SighƟng,In Front of Service Center
10 a.m. NaƟonal Anthem, In Front of AdministraƟon Building
11 a.m. Local 5 Broadcast News, In Front of AdministraƟon Building
5 p.m. Local 5 Broadcast News, In Front of AdministraƟon Building
6 p.m. Local 5 Broadcast News, In Front of AdministraƟon Building
Grandstand Shoppers’ Mart (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Shopping
Heritage Village
Celebrate Iowa’s past on the Iowa State Fairgrounds
Country School (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Old Ɵme school, coloring acƟviƟes
Farm Bureau Pioneer Hall (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Heritage Competitive exhibits and contest
Working exhibits and displays
Gas engine display
Vintage vehicle display (between Fair museum and country school)
Country anƟque market
Blacksmith shop, Ron Koske, Altoona, and Randy Mills, Des Moines
Coon River MercanƟle, manufacturers of 1860-1880 period clothing, Gerald Durbin, Des Moines
1920s Newspaper and PrinƟng, Friends of Pioneer Hall
Wheel Thrown Pottery, Leslie Nelson of Lotus Moon Ceramics, Urbandale
Spinning Wool on a Wheel, Janice Cook, Monroe
The Art of 1900s Gold Leaf and TradiƟonal Hand Lettering Plus Glass Glue Chipping by John Parker, Carlisle
Handmade Kitchen Utensils from Fallen Trees, Tim McGuire of Wild Cherry Spoon, Quad CiƟes
Rug Braiding, Molly Vriezelaar, Altoona (Aug. 8-10)
Chair Caning and Rush Seat Weaving, Michelle Schanz, Amana (Aug. 7-10 and Aug. 14-16)
Wool Rug Braiding, Molly Vriezelaar, Altoona (Aug. 15-17)
Tall Corn Contests - Iowa’s Tall Corn Contest and America’s Tallest Corn Contest entries on display (judging
held Aug. 6; on display Aug. 7-17)
9:30 a.m. Jim Wachuta’s One Man Band SoŌ Rock and Country Classics, Des Moines
10:30 a.m. Turkey Calling Contest
11 a.m. Duck Calling Contest
Noon Party of Four Men's A Cappella Quartet, Metro Area
1 p.m. Youth Rooster Crowing Contest
1:30 p.m. Ladies' Chicken Calling Contest
3 p.m. Saints and Sinners Country, SoŌ Rock and Old Time Dance Tunes, Metro Area
5 p.m. Line Dance Lessons by Norma Hatcher, Osceola
6:30 p.m. Tom Hofer and The Iowa Playboys, TradiƟonal Country and Western Swing, Des Moines
First Church
Replica of Iowa’s first church
11:30 a.m. Old-Fashioned Hymn Sing
6:30 p.m. Old-Fashioned Hymn Sing
Next to First Church
10:30 a.m. Hot Glass Academy
12:30 p.m. Hot Glass Academy
2:30 p.m. Hot Glass Academy
4:30 p.m. Hot Glass Academy
6 p.m. Hot Glass Academy
Horseshoe Courts
Fair sporƟng compeƟƟon located east of Pioneer Hall
9:30 a.m. Horseshoe Pitching: Farmers' Championship
Noon Horseshoe Pitching: Pitch and Win (ages 9 and over)
1:30 p.m. Horseshoe Pitching: Open Singles
Mountain Man Camp
1800s re-enactment camp, east of Susan Knapp Amphitheater
9 a.m. Mountain Man Camp
1 p.m. Mountain Man Skills Demonstration
Richard L. Easter Museum Complex (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Ralph H. Deets Historical Museum and Richard O. Jacobson Hall (Ronald and Margaret Kenyon Gallery);
Blue Ribbon FoundaƟon Merchandise Store
Vermeer Grandfather’s Barn (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Iowa Wine Growers AssociaƟon with Iowa wine tasƟng and sales
John and Emily Putney Family Cattle Barn
sponsored by Vermeer
Cattle; Super Bull; shopping; vendors; Blue Ribbon FoundaƟon Merchandise Store
9 a.m. “I Milked a Cow” presented by ISU Dairy Science Club ($3), Boulevard of Dairy Breeds
9 a.m. Boulevard of Dairy Breeds, North Annex
9 a.m. Cattle Corner, North Annex
11 a.m. Milking Demonstration, Milking Parlor, North Side of Cattle Barn
1 p.m. “I Milked a Cow” presented by ISU Dairy Science Club ($3), Boulevard of Dairy Breeds
3 p.m. Milking Demonstration, Milking Parlor, North Side of Cattle Barn
4 p.m. “I Milked a Cow” presented by ISU Dairy Science Club ($3), Boulevard of Dairy Breeds
4 p.m. Youth Dairy Awards Program, Penningroth Media Center
5 p.m. Milking Demonstration, Milking Parlor, North Side of Cattle Barn
John Deere Agriculture Building (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
sponsored by Alliant Energy
Floriculture; horƟculture displays; world-famous Butter Cow; egg-on-a-sƟck; gingerbread building display; shopping; Blue Ribbon FoundaƟon Merchandise Store
9 a.m. FFA Farm Crops and HorƟculture Judging
9:15 a.m. Corn Creatons and Soybean Creatons Judging
9:15 a.m. Farm Crops Judging
Additional Dates:
