Iowa State Fair

Iowa State Fair

Where: 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines

When: Opened Thursday and continues through Aug. 21.

Hours: Grounds: 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.; no entry or re-entry after 9 p.m. Aug. 21; buildings: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; midway: 10 a.m. to midnight.

COSTS:

Daily gate admission: $10, adults; $4, children ages 6 to 11; and free for children 5 and under. (Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted at the gate.)

Admission discounts: Half-price admission: Monday to Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (not good with any other discount) and also on Aug. 21. On "Older Iowans' Day," Wednesday, admission for ages 60 and older will be $7.

Grandstand events: Tickets to these special events are sold separately and do not include gate admission to the fair itself. Fair admission must be purchased separately to attend grandstand events.

Parking: $10, north lot parking; $10, motorcycle parking; $2, bicycle parking, inside Gate 10: and free for buses and drivers.

Evening horse shows: $5, adults; $2, children ages 6 to 11; and free for age 5 and under.

Midway: $1 per ticket, number of tickets needed varies by ride; all-you-can-ride wristbands, good weekdays only from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, $25.

(Note: Deadline to purchase a mega pass for the midway rides was Aug. 10.)

GRANDSTAND SHOWS:

Def Leppard: 8 p.m. Saturday, Tickets: $49.

The Incredible Machine Tour, featuring Sugarland with Sara Bareilles, 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $46.

Deery Brothers Summer Series, auto races, Monday. Hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and races at 6 p.m. Tickets: $15, adults; and $5, children ages 6 to 11.

Lynyrd Skynyrd and Doobie Brothers, 8 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets: $46.

Grand Outlaw National Tractor and Truck Pull, 2 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets: $20, adults; and $10, children ages 6 to 11.

Ronnie Dunn, with special guest Steel Magnolia, 8 p.m. Thursday. Tickets: $35.

Train and Maroon 5, with special guest Gavin DeGraw, 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets: $47.

Demolition Derby, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 20. Tickets: $12, adults; and $5, children ages 6 to 11.

Reba, with special guest Jerrod Niemann, 8 p.m. Aug. 20. Tickets: $45.

Janet Jackson, Up Close and Personal tour, 8 p.m. Aug. 21. Tickets: $65 and $55.

FREE CONCERTS:

The Nadas, rock, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday

Martin Sexton, variety, 8 p.m. Sunday

Josh Kelley, country, 8 p.m. Monday

Sarah Darling, country, 8 p.m. Tuesday

Ying Yang Twins, rap, 8 p.m. Wednesday

Brother Trucker, variety, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Thursday

The Blue Band, blues, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday and Aug. 20

Here Come the Mummies, R&B;, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21

CONTESTS:

Battle of the Butter

4 p.m., daily

Celebrating 100 years of the butter cow, the fair will give teams of sculptors 55-pound blocks of butter and 30 minutes of sculpting time. Three teams will compete daily on the Riley Stage. Winning sculptures will be displayed alongside the butter cow in the Agriculture Building.

Farmer's Challenge

6 p.m. Thursday

Farmers throw hay, hang gates and run an obstacle course to determine who is the top farmer.

Bill Riley's Talent Search

Noon, daily, through Aug. 20; and 1:30 p.m. Aug. 21

Competitors who have won local contests compete daily. The competition concludes with a championship round Aug, 21.

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Mr. Legs contest, 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Horseshoe pitching tournament, Sunday

Veterans Day, Monday, activities include a 10 a.m. parade.

Cook-out contest, 9 a.m. Tuesday on the concourse.

Outhouse races: 2:30 p.m. Tuesday on the concourse.

ATTRACTIONS:

Midway: Belle City Amusement will bring thrill rides like the new Rock N' Roll Himalaya, family-friendly rides and such kiddy rides as Wacky Worm, Dizzy Dragons and Yo-Yo.

Fearless Flores Thrill Show: Daredevil family will perform sway pole and motorcycle stunts at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. daily.

Extreme Canines: Stunt dog shows for large and small breeds are at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily.

Sandscapes: a team of national and international sand sculptors construct a butter-cow theme masterpiece. Visitors watch the work in progress 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Children's activities: Petting zoo, stage shows, music acts and more, daily at the Fun Forest Stage,

EXHIBITIONS:

Family living: Ribbon-winning exhibits in horticulture, beekeeping, wines, arts, needlework, woodworking and cooking.

Agricultural: Shows and judging for beef and dairy cattle, sheep, swine, llamas and more.

Equine: Competitions showcase the skills of quarter horses, Shetland ponies, draft horses, saddle horses and specific breeds of horses.

Information: www.iowastatefair.org and 800-545-FAIR.