DES MOINES, IA (07/25/2013)(readMedia)-- "Happiness Is" being just two weeks away from the debut of the 2013 Iowa State Fair. Don't miss out on everything the Fair has to offer including half a million dollars in free stage entertainment, delectable foods, livestock galore and more. "Nothing Compares" to Iowa's largest 11-day celebration set August 8-18.
Fairgoers can enjoy their favorite activities all day. The free entertainment line-up is filled with rising stars and annual favorites. The Fair's five free stages, all free with gate admission, will feature a wide array of music genres with acts like Foghat, The Henningsens, Building 429, Jerrod Niemann and more. The Budweiser Stage has also found a new home and will be located directly west of the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center. The stage will feature rock stars like Blue Öyster Cult, Skid Row, L.A. Guns and more.
Eighteen new foods will debut at this year's Fair including sweet treats like a strawberry smoothie and deep fried brownie on-a-stick as well as hearty snacks like a shrimp corndog, bacon wrapped riblet on-a-stick and Cajun cheese curds. These foods join the nearly 200 food stands with more than 60 delectable items served on-a-stick.
The Fair also boasts one of the world's largest livestock shows, with more than 5,570 exhibitors and 23,600 entries ranging from chickens and pigeons to llamas and hogs as well as 10 different breeds of horses.
Thrill rides located west of the Varied Industries Building offer Fairgoers even more exciting experiences with the Area 51-Scare Zone, Crazy Mouse rollercoaster and Turbo Trampoline.
Be sure to enjoy the view as you experience the Fair's zipline, located west of the Jacobson Exhibition Center. Leap from the 28-foot tower and fly 130 feet across the grounds.
Don't forget about those other Fair favorites including the Butter Cow, over 45 contests to participate in and watch, the state's largest art show and the largest foods department of any state fair. Be sure to check out the Fair's great line-up of kids' activities from family friendly stage entertainment to hands-on agriculture education in the Animal Learning Center.
A complete listing of Fair activities is available at iowastatefair.org.
"Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair set August 8-18, 2013. Save money on advance admission tickets now through August 7 (while supplies last). For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.
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