2010 ADMISSION AND HOURS

Click here to purchase tickets online!

Advance Admission - purchase now
Adults (ages 12 and over): $7
Children (ages 6-11): $3
Children (ages 5 and under): FREE every Fair day

Adult and child advance admission tickets available now online. Adult advanced admission tickets available at nearly 2000 Iowa Powerball retailers.  Adult and child advance admission tickets available at all Dahl’s Food Stores, participating Fareways, as well as participating Iowa and Omaha-area Hy-Vee and Hy-Vee Drugstores.  Also available at the Iowa State Fair Ticket Office beginning July 12.  All advanced admission tickets will remain on sale (while supplies last) through August 11. Convenience fees may apply.

Tickets printed from Lottery terminals will be on the same paper that is used for lotto tickets in games such as Powerball. Adult advance-admission is $7, with a $1 convenience fee for tickets available from Lottery terminals.

Click here a list of Iowa Powerball retailers.

Enjoy an even bigger benefit when buying early: child and select adult ticket backs have a coupon for a free small Potato Olé® with purchase at participating Iowa-area Taco John’s. Coupon expires 9/30/10. See store for details.

Punch Cards - purchase now
Buy a convenient punch card with 11 days of adult Fair admission for just $77. Each punch is good for one admission to the Fair. Cards may be used by individuals or families. Available while supplies last.

Food Coupons - purchase now
Set of five $1 food coupons good for food or beverage purchase at any Fairgrounds concession (except in the midway). $5 per set. Available while supplies last.

Fair Play Packs - purchase now
These value-packed kits offer discounts on admission, selected rides and food. Available while supplies last.

Ages 5 and Under - $15 (a $22.50 value)
• 1 Giant Slide or Ye Old Mill ride
• 1 Sky Glider ride
• 1 Snakes Alive or Butterfly House or Train Exhibit admission
• 1 Pony or camel ride at Perry’s Petting Zoo
• 1 Midway ride
• 5 $1 food/beverage coupons
• (Children ages 5 and under are admitted free every Fair day.)

Ages 6-11 - $18 (a $26.50 value)
• 1 Child gate admission
• 1 Giant Slide or Ye Old Mill ride
• 1 Sky Glider ride
• 1 Snakes Alive or Butterfly House or Train Exhibit admission
• 1 Pony or camel ride at Perry’s Petting Zoo
• 1 Midway ride
• 5 $1 food/beverage coupons

Ages 12 and Older - $19 (a $28.50 value)
• 1 Adult gate admission
• 1 Giant Slide or Ye Old Mill ride
• 1 Sky Glider ride
• 1 Snakes Alive or Butterfly House or Train Exhibit admission
• 1 Midway ride
• 5 $1 food/beverage coupons

Midway Tickets - purchase now
Set of five midway ride tickets. Each ticket good for one ride. $13 per set. Available while supplies last.

Midway Mega Passes - purchase now
Includes unlimited mechanical rides any one Fair day from open to close (good on weekends too). Does not include gate admission. $25 each.

Regular Gate Admission (Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted at the gate)
Adults: $10
Children (ages 6-11): $4
Children (ages 5 and under): FREE every Fair day

Note: Grandstand tickets do not include gate admission to the Fair itself. Fair admission must be purchased separately to attend Grandstand events.

Admission Discounts

• Opening Day: From 6 a.m. to noon get half-price admission with a coupon featured in the Iowa State Fair daily program special section of the August 8 issue of The Des Moines Register. One coupon per person ($5 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-11, children 5 and under are free; parking not included).
  
  
• Half-price Admission: Monday - Thursday, 5-10 p.m., $5 (adults), $2 (ages 6-11); not good with any other discount. Also offered all day on Extreme Sunday, August 22.
  
  
• Older Iowans' Day: Wednesday, August 18, $7 for ages 60 and over

Parking
North Lot Parking: $10
Motorcycle Parking: $10
Bicycle Parking (inside Gate 9): $2
Buses and Drivers: FREE

State Fair Ticket Office
Beginning July 12, the Fair’s Ticket Office will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays - Fridays and 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturdays for walk-up orders only. It is located on the front porch of the Administration Building on the Fairgrounds. Mail and online orders will close July 29 to allow for mailing time before the Fair's opening day. All tickets available while supplies last.

Jacobson Exhibition Center Horse Shows
Horse Shows (Adults): $5
Horse Shows (ages 6-11): $2
Horse Shows (ages 5 and under): FREE

Hours & Gate Information
Grounds: 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.; no entry or re-entry after 9 p.m. on Sunday, August 22
Buildings: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Midway: 10 a.m. to Midnight