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Aug 07 - 17, 2025 | Days | Hours | Min
Fair Sweet Fair
August 7-17, 2025
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Countdown to Fair Sweet Fair: Just One Month Until the 2025 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17
Get ready for a sweet time at the Iowa State Fair, August 7-17, 2025! With 11 days of delicious food, heart-pumping rides, toe-tapping tunes and tons of family fun, there's something to make sweet memories at every turn. This year, we've added even more ways to enjoy all 11 days-so your Fair Sweet Fair can be even sweeter!
Sweet Entertainment
Celebrate 11 sweet days filled with excitement, energy and over half a million dollars in spectacular nighttime shows, strolling acts and special entertainment-all FREE with your Fair admission! From jaw-dropping stunt shows and lively street performers to must-see musical acts, there's entertainment around every corner. Plus, more than 100 acts take the stage during the day across multiple free stages throughout the Fairgrounds.
Sweet Blue Ribbons
Have some fun and zany, one-of-a-kind blue ribbon Fair fun each day. It's easy to enter, and many contests have day-of signups.
Changes this year include:
* The Mullet Contest has changed from a pigtail, ponytail, braid and mullet contest to a mullet-only contest and the contest is moved to the MidAmerican Energy Stage on Saturday, August 9.
* If Cornhole is your thing, the Tournament sponsored by The Raymond Corporation, is still on the Grand Concourse, but it has been moved to Thursday, August 14.
The complete daily program and contest rules are posted on iowastatefair.org and on the official App in mid-July.
Fair Sweet Fair wouldn't be as sweet without more than 40,000 entries! Discover prize-winning crops and flowers in the John Deere Agriculture Building, taste-tested recipes in the Elwell Family Food Center and stunning photography, fine arts and dollhouses in the Patty and Jim Cownie Cultural Center. Plus, the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building is home to the very best in Fabric and Threads. Everywhere you look, there's something sweet to see!
Sweet Experiences
Celebrate sweet moments for all Fairgoers with one-of-a-kind experiences that make the Iowa State Fair unforgettable! Start with a calmer, more inclusive experience during Sensory-Friendly Morning, presented by ChildServe on August 13. Don't miss the NEW Electric Utilities Lineman Rodeo on August 15, where skilled linemen compete in high-flying, high-stakes challenges. On August 16, enjoy behind-the-scenes fun with fan favorites like Cuddles and Snuggles, Bunny Yoga and Ghost Hunting 101.
And get ready to make history-the Iowa Lottery is attempting to break a Guinness World Record for the most people scratching a ticket at once on August 14! Join the excitement and be part of something unforgettable.
Get ready to play! The NEW Variety Star Playground, a joint project of the Blue Ribbon Foundation and Variety Clubs of Iowa, is a welcoming space where kids and adults of ALL abilities can laugh and explore. It's about connection, inclusion and plenty of fun!
Some events are ticketed, but the memories? Absolutely priceless.
Sweet Foods
The Iowa State Fair is famous for its one-of-a-kind foods that you can't find anywhere else-each bite is a true taste of tradition and creativity. From iconic treats on a stick to bold, new flavor combinations, the Fair's food lineup brings together classic favorites and exciting innovations. Savor 11 days of deliciousness with iconic treats on a stick, food you have once a year and mouthwatering new creations you can't find anywhere else. This year, explore more than 60 crave-worthy new Fair foods and meet seven brand-new vendors joining the Fair's legendary lineup.
Before the Fair, catch the Best New Food livestream on Facebook, July 15 at 1 p.m., for a first look at the top creations. Then vote for your favorite new food and drink on the Iowa State Fair App, August 7-13.
Sweet Livestock Shows
Celebrate the heart-and the hooves-of the Iowa State Fair with livestock competitions that showcase the best in Iowa agriculture!
NEW in 2025: Don't miss the debut of the Highland Cattle Show on August 15 in the Livestock Pavilion. These shaggy showstoppers are sure to steal the spotlight! And thanks to a brand-new sound system, every moo, baa and cheer will come through loud and clear.
Swing by the Jacobson Exhibition Center for FREE daily horse shows, featuring majestic national competitions for Clydesdale and Percheron draft horses, August 14–17. From the barn to the big stage-it's Fair Sweet Fair at its finest!
Sweet Shopping
Shop 'til you drop with more than 400 unique vendors offering everything from handmade crafts and homegrown Iowa goods to the latest gadgets, grills and gourmet snacks! You'll find shopping hotspots across the Fairgrounds-in the Agriculture Building, Varied Industries Building, under the Grandstand, throughout the Machinery Grounds, around the Livestock Pavilion, inside the Cultural Center and even in the Cattle Barn foyer.
And the best part? You don't have to carry it all! Take advantage of our convenient package pickup program-just shop, tag your purchases and swing by to grab them when you're ready to head home.
A Sweeter Stay
New and improved amenities make the Fair even sweeter: enjoy more shade at the Susan Knapp Amphitheater, renovated restrooms in the Horse Barn, additional seating west of the Anne and Bill Riley Stage, a new pedestrian entrance at Gate 13A off East 30th Street, and new restrooms, shade, and seating at the Ron and Bev Shivers Family Plaza near the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion, and paved accessible parking in Lot B on the north side of the Fairgrounds.
How to Stay in the Loop: Visit iowastatefair.org, download the Official Iowa State Fair App, subscribe to the Iowa State Fair E-Newsletter or sign up for text alerts by texting FAIR to 844.844.8508.
Sensory-Friendly Morning
Quiet Moments, Big Memories:
Sensory-Friendly Morning Returns to the Iowa State Fair
Presented by ChildServe
The Iowa State Fair is proud to partner with presenting sponsor ChildServe, along with programming sponsors Drake University and IAble, to host Sensory-Friendly Morning on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, from 8 a.m. to noon.
Now in its fourth year, Sensory-Friendly Morning continues to grow, offering a welcoming and accessible Fair experience for individuals and families. Thoughtful adjustments will be made across the Fairgrounds to reduce sensory overload, including lower sound levels, limited flashing lights, clearly marked directional signage, designated educational areas and trained volunteers throughout the morning.
For the morning, two air-conditioned calming rooms will also be available for anyone needing a break. “Calm Your Body” Room – A quiet, relaxing space with fidgets, dimmable lighting, soothing music, coloring sheets and soft seating will be in the Robert G. Horner and Sheri Avis Horner Service Center. “Move Your Body” Room – An active area featuring stretching, jumping, therapy balls and a small obstacle course will be in the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center classrooms. Both rooms will be staffed by ChildServe Occupational Therapists from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13.
Iowa State Fair Farmers Market and Kids Makers Market
Nothing says summer in Iowa quite like fresh produce and homegrown products -and this year, the Iowa State Fair is bringing back the Farmers Markets to showcase the very best of what Iowa farmers and gardeners have to offer. Plus, new in 2025 is a Kid's Only Makers Market competition on the last day of the Fair.
Located near The Garden behind the Animal Learning Center and Little Hands on the Farm, the Iowa State Fair Farmers Markets will be open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. August 7-16, 2025. Fairgoers can shop for locally grown fruits and vegetables, fresh-cut flowers, jerky, handmade soaps and more; entries are now open to be a vendor.
On the last day of the Fair, Sunday, August 17, the Iowa State Fair will hold a Kids Makers Market, where kids ages 7 to 17 can enter to compete with their homemade products to win banners. Fairgoers can purchase products and watch the competition from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Iowa State Fair Podcast
A podcast just for Fair enthusiasts, curious minds and anyone who loves the Fair! Join us as we take you behind the scenes of one of America's most iconic state fairs.
Renovations and Improvements
Interested in learning about Iowa State Fairgrounds projects and renovations? Learn more about the Renovations and Improvements that are taking place on the Iowa State Fairgrounds.