Iowa State Fair 2021

WHAT A DAY.

8 hours
15,319 steps
47 mini donuts
4 corn dogs
3 lemonades
2 wasp stings

I think we are officially “fair people”! Not even two wasp stings could keep us down. Poor Finchy. All of a sudden we heard him scream and yell “Thorn in my butt cheek!” He had a wasp caught in his shorts, and it got him twice. But he wanted to keep going, so we did!

The fair didn’t take place in 2020, so we were even more excited than usual to get back there this year! We went on Wednesday and enjoyed the smaller crowds — it is typically a lot more busy.

OUR FAVORITE FAIR FOODS

A big part of our fair experience is all the yummy food. Remember, you can’t eat all day if you don’t start early!

  • Corn dog

  • Cheese curds

  • Mini donuts

  • Bauders peppermint ice cream bar

  • Tater ribbon fries with cheese

  • Giant pickle

  • Pete’s lemonade shake ups

  • Fresh fruit cup

  • Barksdale’s chocolate chip cookies

  • Cookie dough on a stick

  • Hard boiled egg on a stick (free!)

OUR FAVORITE FAIR ATTRACTIONS

  • Little Hands on the Farm

  • Animal Learning Center (baby animals)

  • Bandaloni (one-man band)

  • Sky Glider

  • Cultural Center (photography exhibit)

  • Cattle Barn, Swine Barn, Horse Barn and Sheep Barn

  • Varied Industries Building

  • Sprinklers

  • Ag Building (butter cow)

  • Chainsaw Carvers

  • Exhibition Center (horse shows)

  • Playground

  • Photo booth

The entertainment varies per day, but there are several places and times to grab a seat and watch a show. This year we saw the BMX Bros and Rubber Chicken Show. They were both great!

Every year we say we’re going to get concert tickets for one of the grandstand shows, but that has yet to work out!

BEFORE YOU GO

  • Download the Iowa State Fair app

  • Check the schedule for live entertainment throughout the day and plan your visit around them! They are nice breaks to sit for a while — even better if you can find some shade!

  • Make a list of your must-dos (food, attractions, rides, contests, exhibits, concerts) and prioritize

  • Buy tickets before the fair starts to save money

WHAT TO BRING

  • Stroller or wagon

  • Water

  • Wipes

  • Spray fan

  • Band-aids

  • Neck fans

  • Camelbak hydration backpacks

  • Low expectations (the most important!)

There is no way to see it all, so just give it your best try. Our kids always get tired in the early afternoon and start to melt down, but I’ve found that if we push through it, we can last a few more hours. That’s usually when we head to the sprinklers and get a second wind. I really hope we can stay long enough to see the 5:00 pm Clydesdale Parade next year! Goals!

What’s your favorite thing to eat — or do — at the fair?

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