The Iowa State Fair has already seen rain and a heat advisory, but that isn’t keeping people from getting to the fairgrounds.
Day two at the State Fair was a hot one. A heat advisory was issued for Des Moines from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 8, with a heat index of 105.
How many people attended the Iowa State Fair on the Aug. 8?
The State Fair saw 104,191 people attend on Friday, Aug. 8.
How does attendance compare to the 2024?
In 2024, 109,854 people attended the second day of the State Fair. The first Friday of 2025 saw about 5,600 less people than 2024.
Eight of the 11 fair days in 2024 eclipsed the 100,000 people in attendance mark, according to the State Fair. In total, 1,182,682 people attended the fair in 2024, surpassing the record set in 2019 by roughly 12,000 people.
How does 2025’s Iowa State Fair attendance compare to 2024?
Day: 2025 (2024)
- Thursday: 95,671 (90,822)
- Friday: 104,191 (109,854)
How many people attended the Parker McCollum concert at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand?
Friday night’s Grandstand act brought out 9,256 people. Parker McCollum performed with special guest the Josh Abbott Band.
Here’s the attendance from the other Grandstand acts this year:
- Forrest Frank: 15,804
- Parker McCollum: 9,256
Iowa State Fair attendance: 15 biggest fairs
- 2006: 1,013,557
- 2024: 1,182,682
- 2019: 1,170,375
- 2023: 1,133,938
- 2018: 1,130,260
- 2017: 1,130,071
- 2022: 1,118,763
- 2015: 1,117,398
- 2008: 1,109,150
- 2012: 1,097,142
- 2021: 1,094,480
- 2011: 1,080,959
- 2004: 1,053,978
- 2013: 1,047,246
- 2016: 1,031,278
- 2014: 1,015,902
When is the Iowa State Fair 2025?
The Iowa State Fair runs from Thursday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 17.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
