Iowa State Fair

Thursday, Aug 14, 2025 at 8:00am

Iowa State Fairgrounds
3000 East Grand Avenue
515-262-3111

Schedule:

Iowa Credit Union Day
Iowa’s not-for-profit credit unions put people before profits. Stop by the Grand Concourse booth for hands-on activities and learn how #IowaCreditUnions work to improve the financial lives of Iowans.

Gate Admission
Adult (ages 12 and up): $16
Child (ages 6-11): $10
Under 5: Free
Ater 10 p.m., there are no on-site ticket 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 Parks kiosk in Thrill Town or Thrill Ville.
$1 for 1 credit
Thrill Park Wristbands are not valid in Thrill Zone.
Upon initial purchase of a Thrill Park Wristband , a one-time $1 fee is charged.

Entertainment
Iowa State Fair Grandstand presented by Iowa Lo?ery – Krause Group Stage
Fireworks Spectacular presented by Coca-Cola
The Fair’s largest stage with 11 nights of top performers; buy Grandstand tickets at iowastatefair.org.
Prices include facility fees charged on all tickets. Pricing varies based on Etix service fees charged for online and phone orders.
8 p.m. Def Leppard with special guest Phil X and The Drills ($69-134)
10:30 p.m. Fireworks Spectacular to follow Grandstand show

Anne and Bill Riley Stage
sponsored by Pepsi with media sponsor iHeart
Local and national touring entertainment; Talent Search
9 a.m. Bubble Gum Blowing Contest
10:30 a.m. Pie Eating Contest
11:45 a.m. Way We Live Award Presentation, Hatch Farms and Taylor Farms
Noon Iowan of the Day Presentation
12:30 p.m. Bill Riley Talent Search Semi-Finals (to follow Iowan of the Day)
1:30 p.m. Legislative Day Recognition
4 p.m. Katdaddy 55, Grand River
7 p.m. Ron Diamond, Hypnotist
9 p.m. Ron Diamond, Hypnotist

Elwell Family Park
West outdoor arena with covered bleachers; action dirt events
5 p.m. Iowa Lo?ery Scratch-Off World Record A?empt

Expo Hill
Free entertainment, MidAmerican Energy Wind Turbine and Education Center
10 a.m. Louie the Lightning Bug and/or Sniffy the Sniffasaurus Sighting, MidAmerican Energy Wind
Turbine and Education 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
10 a.m. Blue Ribbon Kids' Club: State Fair Cookie 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 na?onal touring entertainment; KCCI TV8 live news
9 a.m. B. John Burns, Songwriter, Johnston
11 a.m. Iowa State Patrol Safety Demonstra?on
1 p.m. Major Blues and the Mugshots, Des Moines
4:30 p.m. KCCI TV8 News
8 p.m. The Pork Tornadoes

The Lawn
West of Richard O. Jacobson Exhibi?on 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 na?onal touring entertainment; WHO TV13 Hello Iowa show
9 a.m. Homeschool Tumbling, Des Moines
11 a.m. Hello Iowa - WHO TV13
1:30 p.m. Tropical Steel, Johnston 
8 p.m. William Clark Green 

Bar And Restaurant Entertainment

Blue Ribbon Bar and Eatery
Located southeast of the Grandstand
2 p.m. Liv McNair
3 p.m. DJ Yacovana
6 p.m. Fahrenheit

Bubbly Bar and Bistro
Located west of Grandfather’s Barn
12:30 p.m. Nicholas David
6:30 p.m. Mark Joseph and The American Soul

Bud Tent
Located east of Ye Old Mill
4 p.m. Josh Holland
6 p.m. Tyler Anthony

Iowa Crat Beer Tent
Located west of Jacobson Exhibi?on Center
7 p.m. Lucas Beebe

Jalapeno Pete’s
Located southwest of Thrill Ville
1 p.m. Scott Kirkhart
4 p.m. Suede
8 p.m. Damon Dotson

JR’s SouthPork Ranch
Located west of the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion, on Rock Island Avenue
Noon Monica Austin
2:30 p.m. Emmet Sheehan
5 p.m. Jordan Beem
8 p.m. Tyler Richton and The High Bank Boys 

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18

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