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Thanks to All Who Made the 2021 Iowa State Fair a Success

Fairgoers, exhibitors, vendors, partners and supporters collectively made the 2021 Iowa State Fair a success. 

“After a challenging year amid a global pandemic, the 2021 Iowa State Fair demonstrated the best traits of Iowans – resiliency and the eagerness to come together in support of one another,” said Iowa State Fair CEO and Fair Manager Gary Slater. 

The Sale of Champions, for example, raised a record $443,500 to support youth livestock scholarships and individual wood carvings auctioned by chainsaw artists were record setting benefiting the Blue Ribbon Foundation. 

Some highlights of the 2021 Fair included a newly built community garden and Elwell Family Park, relocation of the Ave of Breeds, renovation of the 4-H Building, 50 years of the Giant Slide, over 60 new foods, expansion and relocation of the Craft Beer tent, renovation and opening of JRs SouthPork Ranch, celebration of 50 years in operation of Steer ‘n Stein, packed free stages for Hairball, Rock of Ages, and We the Kingdom to name a few, and a Grandstand that hosted 11 solid nights of entertainment. 

Following the Fair, daily attendance estimates are set aside and an actual count of tickets including daily sales, advance sales, exhibitors, concessionaires, campers, children, credentials, half price, etc. is made to determine the final total attendance. The 2021 Iowa State Fair (unaudited) attendance was 1,094,480. The 2022 Fair Dates are August 11-21, 2022.