What's New
Find out what's new and exciting at the Iowa State Fair.
Know Before You Go to the Iowa State Fair
Here are a few things you should know before you go to the 2022 Iowa State Fair.
SAVE MONEY
Purchase discounted Thrill Park passes and admission tickets before August 11 and SAVE! Advance adult admission tickets are just $9 in advance versus $14 at the gate. Purchase tickets online at iowastatefair.org or at the ticket office on the Fairgrounds or at area HyVee, Fareway or Price Chopper locations. Value packs, a $34 value for just $20, can also be purchased at the Iowa State Fair Ticket Office until August 10, 2022.
GETTING TO THE FAIR
Taxis, Uber and Lyft will be available at Gate 8 for pick up and drop off. On-site parking is available in the University, North and Northeast parking lots; $10 per vehicle and per motorcycle.
DART Park & Ride
Three Park & Ride locations are available, with free parking, from 8:30 a.m. to midnight each day of the Iowa State Fair. At the Fairgrounds, all DART buses will drop off and pick up at the DART Transit Hub, Gate 10. Center Street Park & Ride, 7th and Center Streets Iowa State Capitol, East 12th Street Southeast Polk High School, NE 80th Street and Highway 163 DART roundtrip fares are cash only, day of ride ($2 Adult, $1 Children). Half off your ride with an advance admission ticket to the Fair.
ENTERING THE GATES
Please allow additional time for bag checks and metal detectors. Bags and purses are allowed, but are subject to inspection at the gates and also when entering the Grandstand. Sealed water bottles are acceptable at the gates. Visit iowastatefair.org for the list of acceptable items.
PLAN YOUR DAY
Planning your day or days at the Fair is easy with our online daily program and official Iowa State Fair App. Search by date, location or keyword to create and save your items to create your very own personalized adventure.
GETTING AROUND THE FAIR
For crowd and pedestrian safety, the inner grounds trams or tractor drawn trailers will not be running on Grand Ave. The trams will still operate up the hill to Pioneer Hall and throughout the campgrounds. Please plan accordingly for additional walking or contact HomeTown Mobility at 712-938-2029 to reserve a scooter. Scooters are available at Gate 8, 10, 11, 13 & 15. Personal golf carts are not allowed on the Fairgrounds.
SAFETY
Our number one priority is safety. We work in partnership with many different agencies, including the Iowa State Patrol, the Des Moines Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s office and our Iowa State Fair Police Department to provide a safe and enjoyable event.
TIPS
Cash and credit card are accepted at all of the Iowa State Fair food stands and vendors. Text FAIR to 844.844.8508 for special offers, updates on concerts and daily activities, weather alerts and more. Text BABY to 844.844.8508 to receive updates when new babies are born at the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center. Stay up-to-date with all of the latest and greatest
Top 11 Ways to Fair in 2022
Find Your Fun for everyone at the Fair! From the foodies, to the millennials and families, to the Top 11 ways to save money at the Fair, you can find a list of things to do will that add to your experience at the Iowa State Fair.
Cornhole Tournament
Sign up for the Cornhole Tournament on August 20.
Blue Ribbon Rescue
Download, the app, win prizes! A fun augmented reality experience and the chance to win an Oculus Quest II and Fair favorites prizes!
Download the Blue Ribbon Rescue, developed by Zirous.