The Iowa State Fair is the largest agricultural event in Iowa and among the oldest and largest in the country. This annual event attracts more than a million people each year from all over the world and showcases our home state’s best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and more. It is held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines approximately 2 hours from Lichtsinn RV.
Continue reading to learn a bit more about this incredibly popular event.
The Iowa State Fair first began in 1854 and has been held on the Iowa State Fairgrounds since 1886. The Iowa State Fairgrounds host many different events throughout the year, including car shows, flea markets, expos and more, but the Iowa State Fair is by far the largest event hosted. The event is based in the state capital of Des Moines, Iowa, and extends over a period of 11 days in August.
One of the leading purposes of the State Fair is to showcase the agriculture and livestock of our state, so it features multiple different agricultural contests including largest board, ram, bull and rabbit. There are also shows for the 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA) and open class shows for a wide range of livestock and even domestic animals. Various other contests include hog calling, pie eating, wood chopping and so much more. One of the most popular attractions are the butter sculptures including the famous Butter Cow which is a staple at the fair. Each year there are also additional sculptures by various artists. Past iterations have including butter versions of Garth Brooks, Grant Wood’s American Gothic, Elvis Presley and more.
Another highlight of the Iowa State Fair is the variety of food available from the over 200 food stands throughout the grounds. The most popular offerings are food on a stick, and some of the most distinctive variations available include deep fried Snickers, Oreos, butter and the famous pickle dawg which is made with pastrami or ham, cream cheese and a pickle. One of the most endemic foods also available are the pork chops on a stick, given the state’s highly regarded status as the country’s top hog producer. The footlong corndogs are also a classic Iowa State Fair food item.
The State Fair includes numerous forms of entertainment including an array of carnival rides and the Grandstand entertainment which features a different artist each day, rotating from comedians to singers and more. The night before the opening of the State Fair, you can also watch Iowa’s largest parade which begins at the State Capitol Complex and marches west on Grand to 15th Street. Another main event at the fair is the Political Soapbox where presidential candidates are able to visit and are provided a space to speak with the public and takes questions from the crowd.
When planning to visit our dealership, whether that be to pick up your new RV purchase or for a service appointment, and you’re scheduled for August, don’t miss out on one of the country’s largest state fairs, hosted in our home-state of Iowa.
2023 Iowa State Fair Information:
August 10th – 20th, 2023
3000 East Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50317
Grandstand Entertainment Lineup
- 8/10 – For King + Country
- 8/11 – Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line
- 8/12 – New Kids on the Block
- 8/13 – Eric Church
- 8/14 – The Black Keys
- 8/15 – Jeff Dunham: Still Not Canceled Tour
- 8/16 – Lindsey Stirling
- 8/17 – Maren Morris
- 8/18 – Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges
- 8/19 – The Chicks
- 8/20 – Jason Aldean
Experience the Best® at Lichtsinn RV, we have been recognized by Winnebago Industries as the #1 Winnebago Dealer in North America each year since 2015. Lichtsinn RV is located 1 mile north of the Winnebago Factory in Forest City, IA and we proudly sell new Winnebago motorhomes and pre-owned RVs from various manufacturers. While at Lichtsinn RV, you can expect no delivery miles on new RVs, a complimentary half-day educational orientation of your RV, excellent guest reviews, an assigned support team from sales, parts, service and the business office, superior accommodations, no-hassle pricing and competitive financing. See our extensive new and used inventory here.
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