NEW for 2008:
Red Hat Day, Thursday, August 7. Find details here.

Sample Itineraries

Bringing a group to the Iowa State Fair has its benefits!  The Fair invites you to ride in style by offering special discounts to motor coach groups.

The Iowa State Fair is the country’s most famous state fair and Iowa’s largest tourism event. The annual August ag-stravaganza inspired the internationally-acclaimed novel “State Fair,” three motion pictures, and a Broadway musical.  Featured in the New York Times bestseller "1000 Places to See Before You Die" and twice named an ABA Top 100 Event, more than 1,000,000 annual visitors agree, “U Gotta Love It”!

The Fair brings together country’s best livestock, free entertainment, blue ribbon competition, and mouth watering food, offering something for everyone.

Location and Directions
The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th Street & East University Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa, just off I-35 and I-80. Click here for driving directions.

Dates 2008 August 7-17 2009 August 13-23 2010 August 12-22 2008 Adult Admission $7 Advance Admission (when purchased by August 6) $7 Older Iowans’ Day, August 13th (ages 60 and over) $10 Gate Admission

Special Group Offers 
Discount advance admission tickets & packages save time and money on admission, rides, food and beverages when purchased before the Fair. Contact Megan Baron to get your tickets. Tickets must be ordered by July 23 to allow for mailing time. Click here for detailed ticket information.

The Book of Values, a free coupon book offering food and drink discounts at concession stands across the Fairgrounds, is offered exclusively to tour groups. The deadline to receive this benefit for the 2008 Fair has past. Please contact Megan Baron with any questions.

Free welcome packets, including a shopping bag, map and complete daily schedule, help Fairgoers plan their day during the bus ride. The deadline to receive this benefit for the 2008 Fair has past. Please contact Megan Baron with any questions.
           
Personal greeters will welcome your group, highlight the day’s activities and assist with any special needs.

Free parking for buses and free gate admission for bus drivers in uniform.
                       
A complimentary admission ticket for the tour planner. The deadline to receive this benefit for the 2008 Fair has past. Please contact Megan Baron with any questions.

On Older Iowans’ Day, Wednesday, August 13, buses will be able to drop off/pick up on the inner grounds. On all other days, the drop off/pick up point is inside the North Parking Lot.
           
Click here for Iowa State Fair trivia - great for fun bus games.

Parking Click here to download a pdf map of motor coach drop-off and parking. Click here to download a pdf map of Older Iowans’ Day drop-off and parking.   Fairgrounds Map Click here for a map of the Fairgrounds.   Motor Coach Services Nearby motor coach services are located just off I-80 and include:

For more information contact: Megan Baron Marketing and Tourism Assistant Phone: 515/262-3111 x335 Fax: 515/280-4838 mbaron@iowastatefair.org P.O. Box 57130 Des Moines, IA 50317