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1990-1999

The 1990 State Fair also gave Iowans 12 days to celebrate "Iowa's Blue Ribbon Fun Fest." The Iowa Tourism Building, a permanent exhibition hall featuring Iowa attractions and events, was constructed near the Walnut Street entrance and attracted more than 100,000 visitors in its debut year.

For the first time, Grandstand tickets became available statewide through Ticketmaster. Three Grandstand performances sold out; in the final tally, total attendance overall soared to nearly 874,000.

"Iowa's Blue Ribbon Fun Fest" returned for another 12-day affair in 1991. To raise funds for critical Fairgrounds repairs, adult gate admission was raised from $4 to $5. An Enormous Equine joined the jumbo livestock judging contests. The Fabric and Threads Department hosted the first Grand National Afghan Show. The '91 Fun Fest attracted 889,000 visitors - another record; substantial gains were recorded in revenue and entries.

In 1992, the Fair reverted to its previous 11-day schedule with plans to gradually move the dates up one week. The Blue Ribbon Foundation, the Fairgrounds' fund-raising arm, was established in 1993 with the goal of raising millions of dollars for renovation of seriously deteriorated Fair buildings and facilities.

"The Only Fun of Its Kind" was born - a theme that captured the essence of Iowa's Fair. The Cultural Center displayed a 24-ft. replica of the U.S. Capitol constructed out of 250,462 tiny LEGO blocks. When all was said and done, more than 891,000 people had passed through the gates in 11 days - yet another record-breaker.

The 135th annual Iowa State Fair in 1993 followed on the heels of a catastrophically wet year throughout the Midwest. Record flooding pounded the area, rendering the city of Des Moines without water for 12 days. Yet, despite heavy rain and overflowing storm sewers during the Fair's final weekend, the sixth consecutive attendance record was set with more than 893,000.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation was in full swing toward raising the money needed to refurbish the Fairgrounds. A short-term goal of $6 million by the end of 1994 was established and many major corporations made significant pledges. In an effort to contribute to renovation funds, the Fair Board initiated an all-pay adult gate admission policy.

Fabulous new free attractions and contests in '93 included: Hawthorn's performing White Tigers, the Zoppe Family Mini-Circus, a 1920s-style All-Iowa Store and daily barn tours. A sensational Grandstand schedule boasted mega-stars Garth Brooks (a sell-out in 19 minutes), Clint Black and Wynonna Judd, George Strait, Vince Gill, Brooks & Dunn, Barry Manilow and Michael Bolton.

In 1994, Mother Nature was much more cooperative. The Blue Ribbon Foundation's efforts were beginning to pay off in visible facility improvements, including rebuilding of Grandfather's Farm, external repairs to the Administration Building and rehabilitation of the Agriculture Building.

The talk of the town - and country - was Duffy Lyon's 400-pound, life-size butter sculpture of Garth Brooks. Tom and Roseanne Arnold's Loose Meat Sandwich competition ranked a close second. Martin Mull and national cable channel "Comedy Central" filmed a farce on the State Fairgrounds. State-of-the-art Sunliner Tram Shuttles provided convenient transportation from north parking lots.

Grandstand sell-outs included Reba McEntire and George Strait, while Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn and Christian music sensation Carman attracted more than 10,000 fans each.

Beautiful weather and earlier Fair dates (Aug. 11-21) contributed to the Fair's smashing success. Previous attendance records were shattered for the seventh consecutive year when a total of more than 913,000 visited during its 11-day run. Revenue increased approximately $550,000 over the year before.

Despite record levels of humidity and suffocating heat, 789,911 visitors attended "The Fun and Only" Fair in 1995. Reflecting the extreme weather, visitor spending also decreased. For the first time in Fair history, two Grandstand shows were canceled (due to performer-related illness) and an auto race was rained out. Daredevil motorcyclist Robbie Knievel turned the last day of the Fair into one of the best attended ever with his death-defying 180-ft. jump over 20 vehicles.

Bouncing back in 1996, the Fair scored its highest attendance ever - a whopping 918,000. A spunky new theme, "Let Yourself Go," encouraged Fairgoers to kick up their heels at Iowa's favorite summertime event. Celebrating Iowa's Sesquicentennial (150th birthday), Duffy Lyon amazed visitors with her butter sculpture of Grant Wood's "American Gothic." Some $4 million worth of Fairgrounds improvements were made to the Grandstand, Ye Old Mill (an original "tunnel of love" amusement ride built in 1921) and the Riley Stage, plus the picturesque Pella Plaza was added, providing hundreds of thousands of Fairgoers with a wonderful new appreciation for the Fair.

Whether it was the great weather, stellar Grandstand line-up (headlining the Wallflowers and ZZ Top) or 400-lb. butter Elvis that enticed Iowans to "Go for It" at the 1997 Iowa State Fair, the result was the same: A record-breaking 946,239 visitors turned out for the 11-day event.

Also attracting Fairgoers were numerous physical improvements including continuing renovation of the Grandstand, a major overhaul of the Administration Building, and the addition of historical murals in Ye Old Mill. Outstanding free entertainment, including Starship with Mickey Thomas, country singer Mila Mason and a mini-circus, attracted huge crowds. Thrill standouts like the Skycoaster, which strapped one to three riders in a harness attached to a bungee cord, transported them to the top of a 100-ft. tower, then flung the brave souls skyward at 55 mph, also drew long lines and headlines.

A storm with winds topping 100-miles-per-hour hit the Fairgrounds in June 1998. A massive clean-up in July prepared the grounds in time for the Fair. Chainsaw-carver Brian Ruth transformed four storm-damaged tree trunks into permanent sculptures on the grounds.

Scorching heat and humidity didn't stop more than 941,300 Fairgoers from having "Way Too Much Fun." Temperatures hovered between 87 and 92 degrees with high humidity the second week of the Fair and head indices ranged from 96 to 106 degrees. Despite the weather, many commerical exhibitors and concessionaires reported strong sales. Stand-out Grandstand shows included LeAnn Rimes and Bryan White (a sell-out) and Alan Jackson with Deana Carter. Two free performances by rising country singers the Dixie Chicks sparked crowds estimated at 6-8,000.

Responding to the "Knock Yourself Out" theme, a record-breaking 969,523 visitors attended the 1999 Fair. Nearly perfect weather (daily high temperature averaged 71 degrees), strong-selling Grandstand shows (including two sell-outs: Goo Goo Dolls and Sugar Ray with Fastball, plus Tim McGraw with Chely Wright) as well as Duffy Lyon's 40th anniversary butter sculpture of "The Last Supper" all attracted Fairgoers.

National and international media coverage was spurred by visiting presidential candidates plus Lyon's acclaimed "Last Supper" sculpture. Martha Stewart spent a day at the Fair, while her production company spent four days taping a 60-minute show which aired nationally. High wire aerialist Tino Wallenda thrilled large crowds Aug. 22 when he walked 1020 feet along the Skyglider cable 50 feet above the ground without a net.