Day 5 guide to the Iowa State Fair: What to do at the fairgrounds Monday, Aug. 11

Updated: 4:00 PM CDT Aug 10, 2025

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The 2025 Iowa State Fair marks the 171st year of the state’s biggest event. It’s a summer tradition that draws more than 1 million people to the east Des Moines fairgrounds.Video above from KCCI archives: Family attempts to eat 180 Iowa State Fair foodsThis year’s fair opened Thursday and runs 11 days through Sunday, Aug. 17.» Frequently asked questions about the Iowa State Fair» See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here.Here’s what you need to know about Day 5 of the 2025 Iowa State Fair.Day 5: Monday, Aug. 11Grandstand: Lynyrd Skynyrd with special guest The Outlaws, 8 p.m.; ticketsFree stage headliners: Kashus Culpepper at the Susan Knapp Amphitheater, 8 p.m.; Six Appeal at the Anne and Bill Riley Stage, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.; PetRock at the MidAmerican Energy Stage, 8 p.m.Weather: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain and a high of 87 degrees. Check out KCCI’s daily forecast here.Daily attendance record: 105,522 on Monday in 2017Iowan of the Day: Roger & Mary Sue Chatfield of KeokukLive KCCI newscast: 4:30-5 p.m. at the MidAmerican Energy StageEat something: The state fair is nostalgic for many. Try some of the fair classics that stood the test of time like corn dogs, fried Oreos, funnel cake, and, of course, sweet corn.Use the Iowa State Fair’s food finder to search for your favorites.Don’t miss: It’s Veterans Day at the fair, which means active and former members of the U.S. military receive discounted $12 admission at the gate. Activities include a veterans parade along the Grand Concourse at 11 a.m., a performance by the Iowa Military Veterans’ Band at 2 p.m. at the Knapp Amphitheater, and a Military Tribute Concert at 4:30 p.m. on the Riley Stage.Where will KCCI be at the fair?You can see KCCI 8 News live at 4:30 p.m. every weekday during the fair from the MidAmerican Energy Stage.You can also stream KCCI 8’s coverage of the Iowa State Fair for free on the Very Local app. Click here to download Very Local to your phone.See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here. KCCI skycam: Views from the Iowa State FairgroundsThis image is updated every 60 seconds on this page.Admission, hours and more for the fairLocation: The fairgrounds are located at East 30th Street and East University Avenue in Des Moines.Admission: Adult admission costs $16 at the gate and $10 for children ages 6-11. Kids 5 and under are free. Hours: Fairgrounds are open Aug. 7-16 from 8 a.m.-midnight, Aug. 17 from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and buildings are open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. every day.Thrill park hours include:Thrill Ville: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Aug. 7-16; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Aug. 17Thrill Town: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Aug. 7-16; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Aug. 17Thrill Zone: 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Aug. 7-16; 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. on Aug. 17Iowa State Fair attendance recordsLast year’s fair was the biggest ever, with 1,182,682 people attending. That’s 12,307 more than the previous record of 1,170,375 in 2019 and 48,724 more than 2023 (1,133,958), which was the second-biggest. Top 10 biggest fairs2024: 1,182,682 2019: 1,170,3752023: 1,133,9582018: 1,130,2602017: 1,130,0712022: 1,118,7632015: 1,117,3982008: 1,109,1502012: 1,097,1422021: 1,094,480 Highest daily attendance all-timeFirst Thursday: 101,262 in 2008First Friday: 115,703 in 2001First Saturday: 128,732 in 2024First Sunday: 115,048 in 2024Monday: 105,522 in 2017Tuesday: 105,384 in 2024Wednesday: 109,323 in 2019Second Thursday: 107,449 in 2015Second Friday: 112,891 in 2019Second Saturday: 128,298 in 2022Second Sunday: 119,754 in 2012