08/22/2026
🎡 Heading to the Iowa State Fair this weekend? Here are a few things to know before you go! 🌽🐄🎠
⏰ It’s the LAST WEEKEND of the Iowa State Fair! If you’ve been saying, “We should go…” — this is your chance! 😄
🌤️ Great fair weather! Temperatures are forecast to range from the low 60s to low 80s — much more comfortable for walking around and exploring the fairgrounds.
👟 Wear comfortable shoes — You’ll walk. A LOT. Save the fancy footwear for another day.
💧 Stay hydrated — Even with cooler temperatures, all that walking (and fair food!) means keeping some water handy.
🌽 Come hungry — Pork chops, corn dogs, turkey legs, lemonade and seemingly everything imaginable on a stick! Try something you’ve never had before.
🐄 Don’t skip the livestock barns & shows — Cattle, horses, pigs, sheep and more. They’re a huge part of what makes the Iowa State Fair special.
🎡 Explore beyond the Midway — Check out the agriculture exhibits, competitions, demonstrations, live music and Iowa traditions throughout the fairgrounds.
📱 Have a meetup plan — Weekend crowds can get busy. Pick an easy-to-find meeting spot in case your group gets separated.
🚗 Plan parking & transportation ahead — With this being the final weekend, expect crowds. Arriving earlier can mean less traffic, easier parking and more time at the fair.
🌙 Stay into the evening — When the sun goes down and the Midway lights come on, the fair has a completely different atmosphere.
📸 Take plenty of pictures — Some of the best fair memories are the unexpected ones.
Most importantly: Don’t try to see everything. Enjoy the atmosphere, eat something on a stick, watch a livestock show, ride something you probably shouldn’t have ridden after eating that food 😄… and enjoy one of Iowa’s biggest traditions!
🎡 Last weekend. Great weather. One more chance to experience the Iowa State Fair!
👇 Fair veterans — what’s your #1 tip for someone heading to the fair this weekend?
