Iowa State Fair 2025: Attendance Surges Despite Heat

The Iowa State Fair, celebrated for its vibrant festivities and community spirit, faced a mix of challenges with rain and a heat advisory, yet it attracted a tremendous crowd.

Record Attendance on August 8, 2025

On Friday, August 8, the Iowa State Fair recorded an impressive attendance of 104,191 visitors, despite a scorching heat index reaching 105 degrees during the heat advisory period from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

This year’s second day attendance reflects a healthy interest in the fair, showcasing its resilience and popularity among attendees.

Attendance Comparison: 2024 and 2025

Last year, the 2024 Iowa State Fair saw a remarkable attendance of 109,854 on the same day. Comparatively, the first Friday of the 2025 fair experienced a decrease, with about 5,600 fewer people attending than in 2024.

The highs of the 2024 fair were notable, with eight out of the eleven days surpassing the 100,000 mark. The event gathered an impressive total of 1,182,682 attendees in 2024, setting a new record and exceeding the previous record set in 2019 by nearly 12,000 visitors.

Yearly Attendance Overview

Examining the attendance numbers from 2025 in comparison to 2024:

• Thursday: 95,671 (compared to 90,822 in 2024)
• Friday: 104,191 (compared to 109,854 in 2024)

Concert Highlights from the Fair

The entertainment aspect of the fair also drew significant crowds, notably the Parker McCollum concert, which attracted 9,256 attendees. Other performances included Forrest Frank, who managed to gather 15,804 attendees, showcasing the strong support for live music at the fair.

Historical Attendance Statistics

Here are the notable highest attendance figures for the Iowa State Fair over the years:

• 2006: 1,013,557
• 2024: 1,182,682 (this year’s leading total)
• 2019: 1,170,375
• 2023: 1,133,938
• 2018: 1,130,260
• 2017: 1,130,071

The figures reflect the growth and sustained popularity of the Iowa State Fair, which continues to be a staple event for residents and visitors alike.

2025 Fair Schedule

Mark your calendars! The Iowa State Fair will run from Thursday, August 7 through Sunday, August 17.

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As a general assignment reporter, I find the Iowa State Fair’s ability to draw crowds year after year, even amid weather challenges, to be a testament to the strength of community ties and the enduring appeal of traditional fairs. The mix of family activities and entertainment creates an atmosphere that’s hard to resist, ensuring that it remains a beloved annual event.