Attendance for the 2018 Iowa State Fair has just barely broken last year's record. The Iowa State Fair's 11-day run ended Sunday. State Fair officials say attendance had been lagging just slightly behind 2017 numbers through Friday, but a strong weekend boosted the 2018 Fair's total attendance … [Read more...]
Iowa State Fair talk among farmers focuses on challenges in the field
Farmers attending the Iowa State Fair are talking about the challenges they've faced this growing season. Josh Nelson farms with his family near Belmond in north-central Iowa. He says they've probably lost about 10% of their corn and soybean crops to heavy rains and flooding. But otherwise, Nelson … [Read more...]
Itty Bitty defies his name and wins the big boar competition
He's anything but Itty Bitty, but that's his name, and he's the winner of the 2018 Iowa State Fair's Big Boar Contest. The ironically-named big pig weighed in at 1,163 pounds, just two more than runner-up Yo Yo. Itty Bitty is owned by the West Delaware High School FFA chapter and many of the … [Read more...]
Those who saved lives with their actions honored at Iowa State Fair
Seven Iowans were honored Thursday at the Iowa State Fair during the annual governor's lifesaving awards ceremony. The honorees included Arturo Melendez, who saved a stranger's life the day after Christmas. Melendez said he was driving to work from Marion to Cedar Rapids when he noticed other … [Read more...]
Maddie Poppe booked as opening act for 2019 Iowa State Fair
Iowa's "American Idol" winner helped kick off the 2018 Iowa State Fair by singing the national anthem this morning. State Fair officials announced Maddie Poppe of Clarksville will perform on the same State Fair Grandstand stage the first evening of next year's fair, August 8. A year ago, Poppe … [Read more...]
Iowa State Fair begins with walking tour
The 11-day run of the Iowa State Fair opened this morning and for the fifth straight year, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs hosted a walking tour showcasing the history of the fair, which dates back to 1886. Jane Brickey participated in the tour. The 71-year-old from Des Moines believes … [Read more...]
Butter sculptor doing double duty at Iowa and Illinois state fairs
A central Iowa artist is busy creating special sculptures in butter for two major state fairs. Sarah Pratt, of West Des Moines, says the Iowa State Fair asked her to create the famed "Waterloo Boy" tractor in butter to honor the 100th anniversary of Quad Cities-based Deere and Company. Pratt says … [Read more...]
Iowa State Fair ‘Corndog Kickoff’ is Saturday
We are just in the first week of July -- but the administrators of the Iowa State Fair are getting ready for its August run. Fair spokesperson Mindy Williamson says Saturday is the "Corn Dog Kickoff" fundraiser. She says they have a fair food grazing party, a silent and a regular auction, fireworks … [Read more...]
Weekend acts Daughtry, Peter Cetera announced for Iowa State Fair Grandstand
Iowa State Fair officials have revealed the Grandstand acts for both Saturdays of this year's fair in Des Moines. The Grandstand headliner on August 11 features a former American Idol contestant - Chris Daughtry. His band is called Daughtry. The other Saturday Grandstand act was an original member … [Read more...]
Iowa State Fair beefing up security budget
A security upgrade is in the works for the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Fair spokesperson Mindy Williamson says a 20% boost to the fair's security budget has been approved and the extra money will be directed toward personnel, training and equipment. Williamson calls it a precautionary move. "I think … [Read more...]