That Sounds Fair! Iowa Gets Ready for Whirlwind of County Festivals
July 10, 2025
Grab the kiddos, load up the car, and tell the boss you’re clocking out for some much-needed PTO… It’s time for the county fair!
Whether you plan to hit one or hit ‘em all, the Western Iowa Advantage encourages you to come out and celebrate everything there is to love about life in small-town Iowa.
A Seed is Planted
According to an article from The Gazette, an exhibition of some cattle back in 1841 resulted in the first official Iowa fair. A few years later, it might have been another incentive that spurred the creation of even more fairs all across the state.
“In 1851, the Legislature passed a bill saying if counties organize an agricultural society and can raise $25 on their own, the state will match that money to support a county agricultural society,” the article continued.
Our fairs also go hand in hand with participation from 4-H Clubs, which sprouted from youth agricultural clubs that were organized at the beginning of the 20th century. Fast forward to today, where more than 1,500 clubs are in operation throughout Iowa, not to mention a collective total of 6 million youth and adults throughout the United States.
Throughout the summer, 4-H members will be showing livestock and other animals during the fairs, making connections, memories, and developing life and leadership skills that pay homage to the state's deep, agricultural roots.
One In a Million
The countdown is also on to the biggest event in the state of Iowa… And did we mention it’s also one of the oldest (and largest) expositions in the country, showcasing the best of the agricultural industry?
More than one million people are expected to attend the Iowa State Fair, which will kick into high gear August 7-17 in Des Moines.
Might as well forget about that early bedtime. Center stage will be rocking with the likes of Rascal Flatts, Megan Moroney, Pitbull, and Hank Williams, Jr. Feeling sweet? Get ready to pour some sugar on Def Leppard on August 14. Looking for the perfect opportunity to dust off those bell-bottom jeans? Lynyrd Skynyrd hits the stage on August 11 with special guest The Outlaws.
And if the red carpet treatment is right up your alley, you can check out a host of VIP experiences that run the gamut from Barnyard Yoga to Farm-to-Table Dinners with Chef Grant Gillon, who snagged celeb status as the winner of Gordon Ramsay’s MasterChef.
Thrill rides, agricultural exhibitions, demolition derbies… There’s something that will keep everyone in your tribe happy. For tickets to the 2025 Iowa State Fair, click here.
Fair-est of Them All!
Even if you can’t make it to the big one, no need to get bogged down in FOMO. There are plenty of county fairs going on all throughout the state during July and August.
And sure, we’re just a little bit biased, but we think the following county fairs are the best of the best. Whether you attend every day or just for a few hours, they’re the perfect reminders of why we love our family-friendly communities. We hope to see you there!
- Audubon County Fair: July 15-20
- Calhoun County Expo: July 8-13
- Carroll County Fair: July 8-14
- Crawford County Fair: July 16-20
- Greene County Fair: July 8-14
- Ida County Fair: July 15-20
- Sac County Fair: July 22-26
WIAD is ready to take on 2025, keeping an eye on education, support, and business tours while tackling workforce attraction and housing. We are committed to facilitating ongoing improvements in our region’s economy, quality of life, and tourism. Contact us today at 712.792.9914 or info@westerniowaadvantage.com and see how easy it can be! Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
