The Iowa State Fair opens this morning and runs through the evening of August 19. This thread is for any comments about the fair or advice for enjoying what can be an overwhelming experience. I’ve posted my suggestions after the jump.
All the Democratic and Republican candidates from Iowa’s four Congressional districts are scheduled to speak at the Des Moines Register’s “soapbox” between August 13 and 17. That schedule is at the end of this post. UPDATE: Some of the speaking times have changed on the soapbox schedule, and a few new speakers have been added, including Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
Saving money at the Iowa State Fair
If you don’t mind a bit of a walk to get to the fairgrounds, there is free street parking on Grand Avenue about 10-15 blocks west of the entrance near the Grand Concourse. Closer to that entrance, you can park in people’s yards, but that will cost $4 to $10, depending on how close you are to the fairgrounds.
Check the schedule for free entertainment on the various stages and shows ranging from alligator wrestling to chainsaw sculpture, juggling, and bicycle stunt riding.
The Department of Natural Resources building features indigenous Iowa fish as well as some live turtles or snakes. A lot of people don’t know about this attraction. If you enter the fairgrounds at Grand Avenue, it’s on your left. Or, if you are walking down Grand from the midway or other streets, the Natural Resources building will be on your right.
All day long you can see different kinds of farm animals in any of the barns on the south side of the Fairgrounds or at the Animal Learning Center, near the Midway.
“Little Hands on the Farm” is a fun free attraction for little kids, but lines can be long. I prefer to wait until later in the day. Kids pretend to be farmers and sell their crops for a fake dollar that buys them a real treat in the shop.
The heritage attractions are worth a walk up Expo Hill. Where else can you play marbles or watch people pitching horseshoes?
Avoiding the Midway is an excellent strategy for saving money at the fair, but if you or your kids love rides, the best deal is a wristband for unlimited rides on most of the attractions. The Megapass is available in advance of the fair for $25. Once the fair is open, you can usually buy a wristband on weekdays only.
In past years a building near the giant yellow slide has featured an elaborate model train set. It’s free to look at and can be a nice break on a hot, sunny day.
Other State Fair tips
My favorite Iowa State Fair treats are lemonade from the honey producers’ table upstairs in the Ag Building and ice cream from the Bauder’s truck, usually parked near that building.
If you plan to pay for a ride on the Sky-Glider, take it down from Heritage Hill (near the horseshoe pitch) to the midway area. Most people want to ride it in the other direction to avoid walking uphill, but the lines are much longer. You also get a fantastic view of Des Moines when riding the glider downhill.
Taking a change of clothes for children is well worth the hassle of carrying a few extra things in your backpack. If they get muddy or slip and fall in one of the animal barns, you’ll be glad to have spare clothes. Don’t ever dress kids in clothes or shoes you don’t want to get wet, because there are water features to play in along the Grand Concourse and near the Pella Plaza next to the Ag Building.
You can download a 2012 Iowa State Fair map here (pdf). Directions to the fairgrounds are here.
Des Moines Register soapbox schedule
Candidates will have a chance to speak for 20 minutes in front of the Des Moines Register Service Center on the Grand Concourse, just east of the Administration Building. The Grand Avenue entrance is closest to the soapbox.
Monday, August 13
three-term Democratic incumbent Bruce Braley (IA-01), 11:30 a.m.
UPDATE: Republican vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan, 1:30 pm
Democratic challenger Christie Vilsack (IA-04), 3 p.m.
Tuesday, August 14
UPDATE: Former Iowa Governor and current U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, speaking on behalf of President Barack Obama, 11 a.m.
David Rosenfeld, Socialist Workers Party candidate (IA-03), 4 p.p.
Wednesday, August 15
nine-term Republican incumbent Tom Latham (now represents IA-04, running in IA-03), 10 a.m.
UPDATE: five-term Republican incumbent Steve King (now represents IA-05, running in IA-04), 10:30 a.m.
three-term Democratic incumbent Dave Loebsack (IA-02), 1:30 p.m.
Republican challenger Ben Lange (IA-01), 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 16
eight-term Democratic incumbent Leonard Boswell (IA-03), 10 a.m.
Friday, August 17
Republican challenger John Archer (IA-02), 3 p.m.
UPDATE: Maura DeLuca, Socialist Workers Party candidate for vice president, 4 p.m.
UPDATE: Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz will be at the Iowa Democratic Party’s booth in the Varied Industries building (along the Grand Concourse) on Friday, August 10, from 11:30 to noon. Last year members of the advocacy group Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement confronted Wasserman Schultz during her State Fair appearance. That bit of drama contributed to Iowa Democratic Party Chair Sue Dvorsky’s public denunciation of Iowa CCI shortly thereafter.
SECOND UPDATE: This summer’s drought has affected the size of the prize-winning pumpkins. This year’s grand prize winner weighed nearly 400 pounds less than last year’s.
The free BMX bicycle tricks show (west of the Jacobsen exhibition center at 1 pm, 3 pm and 6 pm) was a lot of fun. Those riders must have given their parents heart attacks!
It’s worth checking the program ahead of time to catch the free exhibitions, like chainsaw-carving sculptures out of wood or ice. People of all ages seem to love those shows.
Every year, I’m surprised by some new thing my kids enjoy at the fair. Checking out the various RVs on display near the Varied Industries building was a highlight for them yesterday. Some of these vehicles are more like two-bedroom apartments than camper vans. The kids loved being able to climb in, look around, and compare prices for the different models.