State Fair Parade

The Iowa State Fair Parade, held Wednesday evening prior to the start of the Fair, is the largest in Iowa and also serves as the official kick-off to the 2024 Fair.

Floats, trucks, cars, horses and performing arts groups from across Iowa paraded from the State Capitol, down Grand Avenue, through downtown Des Moines.

Complete contest results are below:

Horses – Most Creative/Original

1) Escaramuza Amazonas del Bajio, Des Moines

2) Escaramuza Flor de Alcatraz, Des Moines

3) Escaramuza Quetzalli, Pleasant Hill

General – Best Theme

1) Iowa Honey Producers Association, State Center

2) A-NOD for Situational Awareness and A-NOD Inc., Des Moines

3) Korn Patch Klowns, Ankeny

General – Most Creative/Original

1) Fire Cy’d Pizza, Polk City

2) Zachary Freedom, Bondurant

3) Clog Buster’s Drain Cleaning & Repair, Des Moines

Marching Bands

Overall – Southwest Iowa Honor Band, Atlantic

Governor’s Cup – Des Moines East High School Marching Scarlets, Des Moines

Youth Dance/Tumbling Best Use of Fair Theme

1) The Dance Avenue, Des Moines

2) DMI Dance Force, Carlisle

3) Movement & Artistic Dance Expressions, Urbandale

Youth Dance/Tumbling Most Creative/Original

1) Tanya Ogden’s Dance FX, Des Moines

2) AT & Co Dance Studio, West Des Moines

3) Charlee’s Elite School of Dance, Waukee