-Photo courtesy of Iowa State Fair
The 2024 Iowa State Fair began Thursday and runs through Aug. 18. This year’s fair theme is "Fair Fever."

DES MOINES — The 2024 Iowa State Fair has so many new foods and drinks to try, exhibits to see, activities to engage in, entertainment to enjoy and memories to be made.

The fair runs from Aug. 8-18 in Des Moines with new hours, too, from 8 a.m. to midnight. On Aug. 18, hours will be from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“As we put this year’s fair together, we really tried to maintain our focus on the fairgoer. That focus, in turn, has led to many ‘creature comfort’ improvements that will make the fairgoer’s experience even better at this year’s fair,” said Iowa State Fair CEO/Manager Jeremy Parsons.

Those improvements include extra paved ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) parking by Gate 13, remodeled and new restrooms, new and improved sidewalks and ramps, additional water bottle filling stations in five buildings, more shaded areas and added picnic tables and benches for resting.

“Another focus this year was to improve the value the fairgoer receives on their gate admission through additional free attractions — free nightly horse shows, new free events in Elwell Park and additional free entertainment,” Parsons said.

Shoppers will love the brand new Fair View Farmers Market, which can be found at the top of the hill behind the Cultural Center as part of the reinvention of Grandfather’s Barn. People will find Iowa-grown fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and flowers.

There are a whopping 84 new foods debuting at the 2024 Iowa State Fair and a whole host of new drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Fair officials recently unveiled the top three best new foods for 2024: lobster corn dog from Destination Grille; Iowa Sm’Oak’ed Roll from Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ; and Bacon Cheeseburger Egg Roll from Winn & Sara’s Kitchen. New food vendors for 2024 at the fair are Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee and Kona Ice, Dairy Zone, Taco King, Biscuit Bar, Jack Frost Freeze Dried Treats, The Nut Farm, Winn & Sara’s Kitchen and Destination Grille.

The legendary Iowa State Fair butter cow will share her cooler with Iowans Johnny Carson, longtime Tonight Show host, and Steve Higgins, the announcer and producer of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. There will be a butter creation of Fallon. There also will be a butter sky glider seat to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Main Sky Glider. All can be found in the cooler at the John Deere Agriculture Building.

New events include glass blowing by Hot Glass Academy near First Church, Kids Can Cook demonstrations in the Maytag Family Theater, Cowboy Boot Camp north of Little Hands on the Farm, a goat playpen and farmer bull pen as part of the meet a farmer exhibit in the Animal Learning Center and a special activity involving llamas.

Some of the favorites have a new twist to them, as well. The chainsaw carvers have moved to Expo Hill and the art fair now can be found at the Cultural Center’s courtyard.

There will be 11 Grandstand shows ranging from Christian to rock country to R&B, plus a comedian. There are eight outdoor events at Elwell Family Park including four that are free. The wildly popular Hairball returns for two shows and there will be two nights of Fair After Dark — Glow Party in the Garden and Fair Games.

Check out other new fair activities and events at www.iowastatefair.org.