��vlog archives: Iowa State Fair history and trivia

Iowa State Fair archives: History and fun facts of an Iowa tradition

As the saying goes: Nothing compares to the Iowa State Fair.Every year, more than 1 million people from around the world flock to Des Moines for 11 days of fair fun.The first Iowa State Fair was held Oct. 25-27, 1854 in Fairfield. It's been held at the fairgrounds in east Des Moines since 1886 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Watch the video above to see a video of the Iowa State Fair from the late 1930's.The 2024 Iowa State Fair will be August 8-18.Fun facts of the Iowa State FairThere are two time capsules buried on the fairgrounds. The first was buried in 1954 to mark the fair's 100th birthday and will be opened in 2054. The second was buried in 1986 to honor the 100th birthday of the fair's current location. That one won't be opened until 2086.In 2002, attendance topped 1 million for the first time (1,008,174). The largest attendance was in 2019 with 1,170,375 attendees.The hottest temperature on record was 108 degrees on August 16, 1983.Over 50 foods are available to eat on a stick.Only six fairs have been canceled: 1898, 1942-1945, and 2020.The largest Grandstand audience, for a single performance, was the Beach Boys in 1975 with 25,400 concertgoers. Click here for more Iowa State Fair trivia.» Download the free ��vlog app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayMore from our Iowa State Fair archivesIowa State Fair Archives: The Last Supper butter sculptureRETRO IOWA: Robbie Knievel breaks father's record at the Iowa State Fair��vlog Archive: Singing pigs wow Iowa State Fair crowdsIowa State Fair Archives: ��vlog anchor takes chainsaw challenge

DES MOINES, Iowa —

As the saying goes: Nothing compares to the Iowa State Fair.

Every year, more than 1 million people from around the world flock to Des Moines for 11 days of fair fun.

The first Iowa State Fair was held Oct. 25-27, 1854 in Fairfield. It's been held at the fairgrounds in east Des Moines since 1886 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

Watch the video above to see a video of the Iowa State Fair from the late 1930's.

The 2024 will be August 8-18.

Fun facts of the Iowa State Fair

There are two time capsules buried on the fairgrounds. The first was buried in 1954 to mark the fair's 100th birthday and will be opened in 2054. The second was buried in 1986 to honor the 100th birthday of the fair's current location. That one won't be opened until 2086.
In 2002, attendance topped 1 million for the first time (1,008,174). The largest attendance was in 2019 with 1,170,375 attendees.
The hottest temperature on record was 108 degrees on August 16, 1983.
Over 50 foods are available to eat on a stick.
Only six fairs have been canceled: 1898, 1942-1945, and 2020.
The largest Grandstand audience, for a single performance, was the Beach Boys in 1975 with 25,400 concertgoers.