Iowa State Fair

What Iowa State Fair does

The Iowa State Fair is an annual 11-day agricultural exposition and entertainment event operated by the Iowa State Fair Authority, a public instrumentality of the State of Iowa, held each August at a 435-acre fairgrounds in Des Moines (3000 East Grand Avenue). Established in 1854 in Fairfield before settling permanently in Des Moines in 1878, the Fair is one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the United States and attracted a record 1,182,682 visitors in 2024 (1,160,121 in 2025). Its core product portfolio spans the main Fair event plus venue-specific paid entertainment (Grandstand concerts, Elwell Family Park rodeo), competitive exhibits across 20+ departments (livestock, food, fine art, photography), carnival attractions and rides, and digital tools including the official Iowa State Fair iOS/Android app and an online merchandise store operated by the Blue Ribbon Foundation.

Revenue is generated across six streams: admission tickets (advance and gate), Grandstand and entertainment ticket sales, vendor and concession fees from 500+ exhibitors, corporate sponsorships, year-round facility rentals covering 160+ off-season events on approximately 480 interim-use days, and Blue Ribbon Foundation donations and merchandise. No tax dollars fund operations; all operating expenses are paid from Fair revenue, while legislative appropriations are limited to capital improvements and repairs. The organization runs with approximately 75 year-round staff and scales to roughly 1,600 seasonal fair-time staff, supplemented by ~1,000 contract services personnel and ~25 interns, with hundreds of additional volunteers during the Fair.

Governance is provided by a Fair Board consisting of the Governor, Secretary of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and President of Iowa State University (by virtue of office), plus 12 elected directors from six geographic districts. The Blue Ribbon Foundation, a 501(c)-affiliated nonprofit established in 1993, has raised over $128 million for fairgrounds preservation and capital improvements. The 2026 Fair (August 13–23) is themed 'Fair Spirit' to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, anchored by a $19.6 million multi-year renovation of the historic Swine Barn and partnerships with Iowa 4-H, Iowa FFA, Iowa Select Farms, the Iowa Arts Council, and CIT Transportation.

Name

Iowa State Fair

Legal name

Iowa State Fair

Website

https://iowastatefair.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

1854

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Iowa State Fair operates an annual 11-day agricultural exposition and entertainment event at a 435-acre Des Moines fairgrounds, attracting over 1.1 million visitors annually across ticketed admissions, Grandstand concerts, vendor concessions, and year-round facility rentals, serving Iowa families, competitive exhibitors, and 500+ vendors under state-instrumentality governance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Exposition and Fairground Event Management

NAICS

Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131), Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (7139), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

General Consumer Expos & Trade Shows (MPAGAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH), Equestrian & Rodeo Facilities (MPAKAEAM)

Keywords

• Agricultural exposition
• State fair events
• Livestock competitions
• Fairgrounds facility rentals
• Concession vendor fairs

Headquarters

HQ city

Des Moines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Admission Tickets: The fair generates revenue through ticket sales for fair admission, with various pricing tiers including advance tickets and gate tickets.
2. Grandstand and Entertainment: Concert and show tickets for the Grandstand venue and Elwell Family Park events generate significant revenue through ticket sales for major entertainment acts.
3. Vendor and Concession Fees: Over 500 exhibitors and concessionaires operate on the grounds daily, paying fees to participate. This includes food vendors (cotton candy to corn dogs), merchandise vendors, and craft exhibitors.
4. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support various aspects of the fair including the Blue Ribbon Foundation for capital improvements, with sponsors like Iowa Select Farms contributing to specific facilities.
5. Facility Rentals (Off-Season): The fairgrounds operates as a year-round meeting and exposition center with more than 160 events taking place on nearly 480 interim use days, including auto shows, livestock exhibitions, flea markets, and trade shows.
6. Donations and Merchandise: The Blue Ribbon Foundation accepts donations for renovation projects, and the fair sells merchandise including State Fair cookbooks and souvenirs through the online store.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Iowa State Fair operates an annual 11-day agricultural exposition and entertainment event at its 435-acre Fairgrounds in Des Moines, attracting over one million visitors. Core offerings include paid fair admission, the Grandstand concert series, Elwell Family Park rodeo events, competitive exhibits across livestock and other categories, midway attractions and rides, food concessions, VIP experiences, and year-round facility rentals hosting more than 160 events on approximately 480 interim use days.

Product overview

The Iowa State Fair is an annual 11-day agricultural exposition and entertainment event held in Des Moines, Iowa, attracting over a million visitors. The core offering is the main Fair event (August 13-23, 2026, theme: Fair Spirit), complemented by venue-specific paid entertainment including the Grandstand concert series and Elwell Family Park rodeo events. Digital products include the Official Iowa State Fair App for iOS/Android and online merchandise store. The Fair's competitive program spans 20+ departments including livestock, food, fine art, photography, fabric and threads, and creative arts. Supporting offerings include The Kitchen cooking classes, VIP Experiences, parking/park-and-ride services, and year-round facility rentals. The 2026 America250 Celebration marks the 250th anniversary of America's founding with special events, drone shows, and commemorative competitions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Blue Ribbon Foundation: Non-profit organization established in 1993 to raise funds for preservation and improvement of the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Has raised over $128 million through individual contributions, state appropriations, in-kind services, and corporate, federal and state grants.

Products and services

• Iowa State Fair (Annual 11-Day Event) The main annual 11-day agricultural exposition and entertainment event held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, attracting over one million visitors annually with a record attendance of 1,182,682 set in 2024.
• Grandstand Concert Series The main concert venue at the Iowa State Fair featuring paid ticketed performances by national recording artists, with nightly fireworks shows.
• Free Entertainment Stages Complimentary entertainment acts and performances located on free stages throughout the Fairgrounds, featuring various musical and performance acts.
• Elwell Family Park Entertainment venue featuring PRCA Pro Rodeo events, bull riding, and other action-packed performances.
• Attractions and Rides (Thrill Ville) Carnival-style thrill rides and midway attractions including the Giant Slide and Sky Glider.
• Competitive Exhibits Program Extensive competitive event program including food, fabrics, agriculture, horticulture, fine art, photography, heritage antiques, and more across multiple departments with over 40,000 ribbons, rosettes, and banners awarded annually.
• Iowa State Fair Livestock Shows One of the world's largest livestock exhibitions featuring beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, meat goats, and the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center.
• Bill Riley Talent Search Traditional talent competition for performers of all ages featuring singing, dancing, and variety acts.
• Official Iowa State Fair Mobile App Official mobile application for iOS and Android that provides daily schedules, Grandstand show information, and ticket purchasing capabilities.
• Blue Ribbon Foundation Merchandise Store Online store selling official Iowa State Fair merchandise including souvenirs, apparel, and commemorative items operated by the Blue Ribbon Foundation.
• The Kitchen Cooking Classes Demonstration kitchen hosting cooking classes, seminars, and culinary education sessions during Fair time and interactive classes from November through April.
• VIP Experiences Behind-the-scenes premium experiences and special access packages for Fairgoers seeking enhanced Fair visits.
• Parking and Park & Ride Service Transportation services including free park-and-ride service from Southridge Mall operated by CIT Transportation, replacing the former Southeast Polk High School location.
• Farm to Fair - America's Picnic Special ticketed picnic event scheduled for August 16, offering a farm-to-table dining experience at the Fair.
• Fairgrounds Facility Rentals (Year-Round) Year-round rental of Fairgrounds facilities for auto shows, livestock exhibitions, flea markets, antique shows, concerts, trade shows, and other events. Includes parking for up to 15,000 cars and 160-acre campgrounds, hosting more than 160 events on nearly 480 interim use days.
• America250 Celebration 2026 Special commemorative event celebrating the 250th anniversary of America's founding with patriotic displays, drone shows, special competitions, and themed entertainment from August 13-23, 2026.
• Butter Cow Exhibit Iconic butter sculpture tradition since 1911, featuring the famous butter cow in the Agriculture Building cooler along with companion sculptures.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Iowa State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2026Iowa State University President Dr. David Cook participated in the Arbor Day tree planting ceremony, representing the university which holds a seat on the Fair Board and co-sponsors the Iowa State Fair through its land-grant mission.
• CIT TransportationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 19 March 2026CIT Transportation operates the free park-and-ride service from Southridge Mall for the 2026 Iowa State Fair, providing convenient transportation access to the fairgrounds for visitors.
• Iowa 4-HcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026Iowa 4-H is partnering with the Iowa State Fair on the statewide tree planting initiative to plant 250 trees across Iowa in honor of America's 250th birthday, with youth members participating in tree planting events.
• Iowa FFAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026Iowa FFA is partnering with the Iowa State Fair on the statewide tree planting initiative to plant 250 trees across Iowa in honor of America's 250th birthday, with FFA chapter members participating in tree planting events.
• Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers (CSIF)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026CSIF is a sponsor and supporter of the Iowa America250 tree planting initiative, providing support for the statewide youth-driven effort to plant 250 trees.
• Frazier NurseryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 12 March 2026Frazier Nursery of Benton County is providing trees for the America250 initiative, with free regional delivery of trees purchased through their nursery. Each tree ordered includes a commemorative IowaAmerica250 plaque.
• Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land StewardshipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig collaborated with the Iowa State Fair on the America250 tree planting initiative, including the planting of Iowa's official America250 tree on the fairgrounds on Arbor Day 2026.
• Iowa Arts Council / Iowa Economic Development AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 February 2026The Iowa Arts Council, part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, is collaborating with the Iowa State Fair on a state art contest for the America250 celebration, inviting Iowans to submit original artworks responding to America's 250th anniversary.
• Goodwill Industries / STAR 102.5minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGoodwill Industries partners with STAR 102.5 radio station to sponsor Kid Find wristbands available at information booths and the Public Safety Building for child safety during the fair.
• Blue Ribbon FoundationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit organization established to conduct capital campaigns for renovation and preservation of the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. Since 1993, has raised over $128 million through individual contributions, state appropriations, in-kind services, and corporate grants.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wisconsin State Fair: The Wisconsin State Fair, held annually at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, operates a nearly identical model to the Iowa State Fair — agricultural exposition with livestock shows, competitive exhibits, vendor concessions, Grandstand entertainment, and year-round facility rentals on a multi-hundred-acre fairground.
• Minnesota State Fair: The Minnesota State Fair attracts ~2M visitors annually, one of the largest state fairs in the U.S., with a similar Midwest agricultural and consumer exposition model including livestock competitions, Grandstand concerts, vendor concessions, and competitive exhibits across hundreds of categories.
• State Fair of Texas: The State Fair of Texas is the largest state fair in the U.S. by attendance (~2.5M+ visitors), held at Fair Park in Dallas. It operates the same core model as the Iowa State Fair — annual multi-day agricultural exposition with livestock shows, food, vendor concessions, entertainment, and year-round facility usage.
• Nebraska State Fair: The Nebraska State Fair, held in Grand Island since 2010, is a regional state fair with a comparable agricultural exposition model, livestock shows, competitive exhibits, and entertainment programming — neighboring Iowa in geography and audience demographic.
• National Western Stock Show: The National Western Stock Show is a 16-day annual livestock exhibition held in Denver, attracting ~700K+ visitors with a stronger livestock/agricultural tilt than consumer entertainment — comparable in core livestock exhibition mission and Midwest-adjacent audience.
• Indiana State Fair: The Indiana State Fair, held annually at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, mirrors the Iowa State Fair's agricultural exposition format with livestock shows, competitive exhibits, vendor concessions, and entertainment — comparable scale and Midwest U.S. agricultural community focus.
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a major annual livestock exhibition and rodeo event held at NRG Park, attracting ~2.5M visitors — directly comparable to Iowa State Fair's livestock and agricultural focus, with similar rodeo (Elwell Family Park) and entertainment components.
• California State Fair: The California State Fair operates Cal Expo in Sacramento, hosting an annual agricultural exposition with livestock competitions, vendor concessions, entertainment, and year-round facility usage — closely comparable to Iowa State Fair's mix of agriculture, entertainment, and consumer exposition.

Regional players

• Eastern States Exposition (The Big E): The Big E is the largest agricultural fair in the Northeast U.S., held annually in West Springfield, MA, with ~1.6M visitors — comparable exposition model but serves a different geographic region than Iowa State Fair's Midwest base.
• Ozark Empire Fair: The Ozark Empire Fair is a regional agricultural fair held in Springfield, MO, with a similar livestock/agricultural exposition format but smaller scale and a different geographic catchment than the Iowa State Fair's Midwest base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/iowastatefair
• Instagraminstagram.com/iowastatefair
• Xx.com/iowastatefair

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Iowa State Fair