It’s that time of year—fair season! The Iowa State Fair runs from August 7-17 and is jam-packed with crazy food, craft beer, flirty drinks, rides, and an impressive concert lineup. It can be overwhelming to navigate all the fun that the fair offers, so let me break down how I prepare for the fair. Consider this the 20-something’s guide to enjoying the Iowa State Fair.

Edited for 2025 by Claire Tuchek, DSMG contributor

Buy Tickets in Advance

You can always buy your tickets at the gate when you get there, but I find that having your tickets either loaded onto your Apple Wallet or printed out saves time once you get to the grounds (and it’s cheaper!). You can buy daily admission online now until Aug. 6th for $11. There are no fees or taxes when you purchase them online either. Just one less thing to worry about on the day of your fair trip. Otherwise, daily admission at the gate is $16 and online once the fair has started.

How I Get There

I often opt to park my car at the state capitol and take a DART bus to the fairgrounds. Parking your car is totally free, and the roundtrip cost of your bus ride is only $2 (or $1 if you bought your admission ticket ahead of time). The parking and buses are available every day of the fair from 8:00 a.m. to midnight with pickup and dropoff located at the DART Transit Hub, Gate 10. This way, you can avoid paying the $10 fee to park at the fairgrounds, along with the craziness of traffic and trying to find a spot. Here’s a full list of all the Park & Ride locations:
  • Center Street Park & Ride, 7th and Center Streets
  • Iowa State Capitol, East 12th Street
  • Southeast Polk High School, NE 80th Street and Highway 163

What I Plan to Wear

My main concerns when picking an outfit for the fair are cuteness, coolness, and walkability. I have to find the perfect balance of summer-y, fair-chic style and something that won’t be obnoxious to walk and sweat in. Since my thighs and denim shorts are a match-made hell, I’ll likely go for jeans and a cute tank top or a little flowy dress! If all fails, I’ll try to make a pair of black biker shorts as fashionable as I can and just rock the cute athleisure wear. Wearing comfortable shoes that can get a little dirty with the dust and animals around is definitely a great idea. Personally, I am all for repping my Chacos at the fair; so easy to clean and comfortable! I also recommend keeping what you bring to a minimum. I’ll be sporting the classic belt bag so I’m not weighed down and can get through security quickly. Keep you mind, you can certainly bring a water bottle through the gates as well to stay hydrated without having to pay!

My Go-To Foods

At the fair, I am always looking for a pickle dog and Gyro, call me crazy, not a big corn dog loving girly. But you can for sure catch me trying all the new food offered at the fair. This year my list includes the Three Little Pigs from Whatcha Smokin? BBQ, Maple Bacon Cheese Curds from Brad and Harry’s, and the decadent Scotcheroo Shake from Over The Top for dessert. And it is very likely, I end up toting around a classic bucket of cookies to share with whoever I’m with. Be sure to check out the 2025 New Food List for this fair! 😋

Where I Plan to Drink

This may be an obvious one if you’re of drinking age, but I plan to spend some time (and money) at the Iowa Craft Beer Tent and the Bubbly Bar and Bistro! You just can’t go wrong with ice cold craft beer  or a whimsical, flirty, and ‘bubbly’ drink when you’re out at the fair. 😉 And if you didn’t visit the Bubbly Bar and Bistro at the top of the hill last year, by Grandfather’s Farm, this is your chance! It overlooks our beautiful city and provides great people watching for the fair!  The Bistro is also offering trivia and music bingo most nights!

Concerts I’m (Not) Attending

The Grandstand lineup this year is an impressive mix of incredible artists. From country like Rascal Flatts and Parker McCollum to T-Pain, Def Leppard, and Pitbull it’s safe to say that there’s something for almost everyone at the fair this year. Sadly, I don’t have any plans to attend any of the concerts, but if I could see T-Pain again I would! Tickets aren’t all sold out so it’s not too late for a last-minute concert. If you’re like me, I love the free stages and saving some extra money. There is plenty of free entertainment each day as well ! See the Iowa State Fair website for a full lineup of concerts and events!

Go on at Least One Ride

While I’ve outgrown most of the carnival rides at the fair I do really enjoy the sky glider that runs from one end of the fair to the other and looks like a colorful ski lift. It’s just really picturesque and a great way to get a view of the whole fairgrounds (or to get from one side to the other without having to walk.) Or for a little adventure and a good laugh after a beverage or two, you might just catch me on the giant slides. So, if you’re going to do any ride, I recommend those or take a classic Ferris wheel ride just to feel like a kid again.  For a full list of entertainment, food, and fun, head over to the official Iowa State Fair website.

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