It’s that time of year—fair season. The Iowa State Fair runs from August 10-20 and is jam-packed with crazy food, craft beer, rides, and an impressive concert lineup. It can be overwhelming to navigate all the fun that the fair offers, so let me break down how I prepare for the fair. Consider this the 20-something’s guide to enjoying the Iowa State Fair.
By: Rachel Wermager, Des Moines Girl Contributor, Written in August 2021, edited for 2023
Buy Tickets in Advance
You can always buy your tickets at the gate when you get there, but I find that having your tickets either loaded onto your Apple Wallet or printed out saves time once you get to the grounds (and it’s cheaper!). There are no fees or taxes when you purchase them online either. Just one less thing to worry about on the day of your fair trip. Daily admission for adults is $16 online and at the gate.
How I Get There
I often opt to park my car at the state capitol and take a DART bus to the fairgrounds. Parking your car is totally free, and the roundtrip cost of your bus ride is only $2 (or $1 if you bought your admission ticket ahead of time). The parking and buses are available every day of the fair from 8:30 a.m. to midnight with pickup and dropoff located at the DART Transit Hub, Gate 10. This way, you can avoid paying the $10 fee to park at the fairgrounds, along with the craziness of traffic and trying to find a spot. Here’s a full list of all the Park & Ride locations:
- Center Street Park & Ride, 7th and Center Streets
- Iowa State Capitol, East 12th Street
- Southeast Polk High School, NE 80th Street and Highway 163
What I Plan to Wear
My main concerns when picking an outfit for the fair are cuteness, coolness, and walkability. I have to find the perfect balance of summer-y, fair-chic style and something that won’t be obnoxious to walk and sweat in. Since my thighs and denim shorts are a match-made hell, I’ll likely go for jeans and a cute tank top (I have so many options I bought from Hinge on 5th in Valley Junction), or I’ll try to make a pair of black bike shorts as fashionable as I can.
Wearing comfortable shoes that can get a little dirty with the dust and animals around is definitely a great idea, and keep what you bring to a minimum. I’ll be sporting the classic Lululemon belt bag so I’m not weighed down and can get through security quickly (and because it’s a staple of my wardrobe now).
My Go-To Foods
Fun fact: my favorite fair food before becoming vegetarian was corn dogs. I looked forward to them all year long and would have at least two or three every fair season. So, when I found out there were vegetarian corn dogs at the Iowa State Fair, I was overjoyed. I think the veggie corn dog at the Veggie Table food stand (located on the fair’s main drag) tastes just like a real one, and it is so dang good. I’m also a sucker for some deep-fried cheese, so cheese curds are a must. For dessert, I like to cool off with a few scoops of ice cream from Midwest Dairy (on Rock Island Ave.), or tote around a classic bucket of cookies to share with whoever I’m with.
Where I Plan to Drink
This may be an obvious one if you’re of drinking age, but I plan to spend some time (and money) at the Iowa Craft Beer Tent. You just can’t go wrong with ice cold craft beer when you’re out at the fair. The tent also offers free, live music, and this year, it will be in a new location on the fairgrounds to give it more space for everyone to enjoy. Check their website for updates about the beer menu and where you can find the tent!
Concerts I’m (Not) Attending
The Grandstand lineup this year is an impressive mix of incredible artists. From country like The Chicks and Maren Morris to New Kids on the Block and Ludacris it’s safe to say that there’s something for almost everyone at the fair this year. Sadly, I don’t have any plans to attend any of the concerts, but there’s still time! Tickets aren’t all sold out so it’s not too late for a last-minute concert.
If you’re looking to save money, there’s tons of free entertainment as well. See the Iowa State Fair website for a full lineup of concerts and events!
Go on at Least One Ride
While I’ve outgrown most of the carnival rides at the fair I do really enjoy the sky glider that runs from one end of the fair to the other and looks like a colorful ski lift. It’s just really picturesque and a great way to get a view of the whole fairgrounds (or to get from one side to the other without having to walk.) So, if you’re going to do any ride, I recommend that one or take a classic Ferris wheel ride just to feel like a kid again.
For a full list of entertainment, food, and fun, head over to the official Iowa State Fair website.
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