1980-1989

Two-for-one admission after 6 p.m. was an important factor in reaching a total estimated attendance of 632,000 for the 1980 “Celebrate, Iowa!” State Fair. A sensational line-up of free performances heightened the Fair’s family-oriented entertainment value. Discounted Midway rides and free fireworks were additional incentives. New record prices were paid at the Sale of Champions (when the Fair’s champion livestock are auctioned).

Nearly 40,000 fans turned out for Kenny Rogers, with Dottie West, in four Grandstand performances. The first Rock ‘n’ Roll Reunion was held. Nearly 663,000 people – the largest total in the previous five years – found “So Much More to Go For” at the 1981 Fair. Admission revenue was the largest in history. An unofficial survey listed visitors from 36 states and seven foreign countries. The Fair ran one week earlier than usual, enabling many more school children and parents to participate. Barbara Mandrell and Pat Benatar both attracted huge crowds in the Grandstand for their shows.

New attractions in 1982 included the State Fair Museum as well as a new free entertainment stage (Fairview Stage) west of the Cultural Center (now the AE Dairy Stage). Textile and food exhibits were divided and the Foods Department moved into newly-refurbished quarters in the Family Center (now the Family Theaters). State Fair souvenirs, including shirts, hats, caps and more were offered for the first time. Nearly 11,000 cars jammed the Fairgrounds on August 20 when attendance set a weekday record.

A sizzling August heat wave in 1983 (108 degrees on Older Iowans’ Day, 100 degrees or above the next four days) singed attendance. The Fair ran Wednesday through Saturday instead of the previous Thursday to Sunday schedule, a change intended to strengthen the Fair’s last day. The premier edition of the Iowa State Fair Cookbook went on sale. (Sixteen editions have since been published, the most recent in 2012.) A new five-lane entrance at East 33rd and University Avenue was opened. The $100,000 earth-sheltered home (now home to the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s offices) was built on Expo Hill. The Textiles and Clothing Department was completely remodeled.

Significant capital improvements were made to the Campgrounds, Cattle Barn and Livestock Pavilion prior to the 1984 Fair. Plus, the Fair Board voted to cover the outdoor arena west of the Horse Barn. Two new cattle contests, a production-tested barrow contest, a new swine breed show, dairy production awards, a new celebrity dairy goat milking competition, the introduction of Fun Forest for children and Duffy Lyon’s 25th anniversary as butter sculptor were important features of the Fair. It was the sixth straight year that the Fair turned a profit.

Adopting a German theme in 1985 and reverting to the traditional Thursday through Sunday schedule, the Fair’s “Augustfest!” offered German-style food and fun, music and entertainment. A record-breaking 668,000 people attended the Fair and generated an economic impact conservatively estimated at $56 million. Harness racing, a long-standing staple of the Fair, took a new turn that summer when pari-mutuel racing made its statewide debut at the Fairgrounds. Short racing seasons continued for the next three years.

Two significant events marked the 1986 ag-extravagazana: the Fair celebrated the 100th birthday of the Fairgrounds and a new secretary/manager, Marion Lucas, took charge. A second time capsule was buried to commemorate the current Fairgrounds’ 100th birthday. Slated to be opened in 2086, it is filled with memorabilia of the Fair’s first century in Des Moines. An exceptional Grandstand lineup, including the Beach Boys, and free entertainment by famous Iowans encouraged native sons and daughters to “Come Home to the Fair.” Thanks in part to near-perfect weather, attendance reached a whopping 732,000 over the 11-day event.

On the heels of a prosperous year, more than $280,000 in premiums were offered in 1987, an increase of 10%. The theme, “Celebrate an American Classic,” summed up the pride and admiration Iowans felt about their Fair. Despite seven inches of rain and the chilliest weather in 10 years, 716,000 visitors flocked to the Fair. A debate between seven Democratic presidential hopefuls drew 150 national media reporters and a standing-room-only audience. A record 72 county fair candidates competed for the State Fair Queen title. Coca-Cola donated a new electronic marquee at East 30th Street and University Avenue. WHO Radio built its new version of the Crystal Studio on the Grand Concourse. The Walnut Center debuted with 8,400 square feet of air-conditioned exhibit space. The entire 400-acre Fairgrounds district was named to the National Register of Historic Places.

Nostalgia, tradition and down-home fun inspired the 1988 theme, “For an Old-Fashioned Good Time.” New events included the Fair’s first llama and Shire shows plus the Giant Ram contest. A replica of the Vietnam Memorial was featured on Expo Hill, while an intricate, 14-foot tall sand castle towered in the Cultural Center atrium. Following this very successful Fair, the Board approved a three-phase, 10-year, $30 million fundraising plan for renovating the Fairgrounds.

In 1989, Fairgoers celebrated another “Old-Fashioned Good Time” with an extended 12-day Fair. Ice carving was featured in the Agriculture Building, the Fair’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Reunion celebrated its 10th anniversary, “TV8 and Pepsi on Ice” delighted crowds with colorful daily ice skating performances under the hot August sun, and 1,000 homing pigeons were released during the Great Pigeon Escape. A colossal 40-horse hitch rocked the grounds with pure horsepower. More than 857,000 visitors were tallied.