Patriotic Tribute and Discounted Admission Kick off Iowa State Fair
Friday, August 6, 2010 Des Moines, IA
On Opening Day, August 12, the Iowa State Fair will offer Fairgoers discounted admission with a special coupon in this Sunday’s Des Moines Register. This special discount is part of the Fair’s tribute to America’s armed forces and their families through patriotic opening ceremonies, the dedication of the new Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center and guest appearances by local celebrities. The 2010 Iowa State Fair runs August 12-22.
From 6 a.m. to noon on Opening Day, Fairgoers can take advantage of half-price admission with a coupon featured in the Iowa State Fair daily program special section of this Sunday’s issue of The Des Moines Register. One coupon per person ($5 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-11, children 5 and under are free; parking not included). Gate admission is also half-price after 5 p.m. Monday through Thursdays.
Opening Ceremonies will also feature a live Skype chat with Iowa military in Kosovo, Iraq and Missisippi, a performance by the Central Iowa Hooves horse drill team and special appearances by the Iowa Rodeo Queens, country music star Lee Greenwood and top-twenty-four American Idol finalist Katelyn Epperly. Attendees at opening day festivities may win up to $700 instantly as the Iowa Lottery hands out free $1 scratch tickets supporting the Iowa Veterans’ Trust Fund (one ticket to ages 21 or older; available only during Opening Ceremonies).
Katelyn Epperly will perform America the Beautiful as part of opening ceremonies. The Valley High School graduate was a two-time semi-finalist in Bill Riley’s Iowa State Fair Talent Search before spending two months as a contestant on season nine of American Idol.
Opening day events in the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center will begin at 9 a.m. with the dedication of the new building. The three-phase construction project began during the 2007 Fair and spanned nearly three years. Now complete, the state-of-the-art facility features an indoor arena, practice arena, meeting rooms and seating for 3,500. The climate-controlled building can accommodate the growing popularity of horse shows during the Fair as well as numerous year-round events.
About the Iowa State Fair
“Nothing Compares” to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, set August 9-19. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.
Media Information
If you like to would learn more about the Iowa State Fair, please contact:
Lori Chappell
515/262-3111 ext. 204
