1. TIPSY PEACH
This dessert is State Fair food, elevated: A waffle topped with sangria-soaked peaches and finished with mascarpone and fresh thyme? Count me in. The flavors on this one were layered, fresh and unexpected. It was an excellent surprise.
Where: Bubbly Bar & Bistro
2. DEEP-FRIED UNCRUSTABLE PB&J
As a self-proclaimed hater of PB&J, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. They took an uncrustable and coated it in a delicious homemade batter that turned it into the most delicious donut concoction. It was incredible.
Where: The Bird’s Nest
3. PARTY BALLS
These wizards took hashbrowns, mixed them up with cheddar cheese, smoked bacon and AE Party Dip, stuck a ball of AE Party Dip in the center, coated the whole thing in potato chips and deep-fried it. It’s madness. It’s perfect. It’s also gluten-free!
Where: JR’s SouthPork Ranch
4. BACON CHEESEBURGER EGGROLL
When I saw this on the list of New Fair Foods, I thought, “Surely someone has done this before.” Well, if they have, they haven’t done it like this. The wrapper was perfectly crispy, and Winn’s special sauce had just the right amount of kick.
Where: Winn & Sara’s Kitchen
5. LOBSTER CORN DOG
The fine folks at Destination Grille took an entire lobster tail, dipped it in a light, crispy (gluten-free!) batter, deep-fried it until the lobster was cooked perfectly, then topped the whole thing with a deliciously tangy lemon aioli and wonderfully aged Italian parmesan. It tasted like a dream.
Where: Destination Grille
1. CORN DOG
“If there’s one fair item I’m always going to get after, it’s a corn dog. I probably eat one or two a year — always at the fair. Last year, before the Black Keys concert and after some completely legal consumption (what up, Climbing Kites!), I found a half-pound corn dog … perfect in its sweet, salty, deep-fried goodness. I’m a mustard-only guy. Keep that ketchup away from my dogs in any form. And stop it with your ranch, Iowa.”
Where: Campbell’s Concessions
2. PORK CHOP ON A STICK
“Again, I like to rock the classics, and it doesn’t get more Iowa to me than pork chop on a stick. I mean, what more is there to say? This is pork country and it’s on a stick.”
Where: Iowa Pork Tent
3. IOWA CRAFT BEER TENT
“This is fun — makes me proud to live in a state that produces so much beer. I shy away from the weird sours that the kids drink these days. I like beer-flavored beer and there are a handful of breweries in these state lines that are legit.”
Where: Between Gate 9 and Gate 10
4. IOWA TWINKIE
“I think Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ is dope all around. It’s my spot for BBQ in Iowa. This bacon-wrapped-jalapeño-pulled-pork situation hits the notes. It sounds like too much goodness in a few bites, but that’s sorta what fair food is all about.”
Where: Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ
5. IOWA STATE FAIR LEMONADE
“I know, boring, right? But before I surrender to the beer tent, I gotta get a lemonade in. It’s just not the fair without a shockingly sweet, ice-cold lemonade in the 100-degree heat.”
Where: Everywhere
1. EAT!
“We are definitely fair foodies. The top picks that we find each time are the footlong corn dogs, funnel cakes, cheese curds, bucket of cookies, kettle corn, cotton candy and everything on the 'what's new' list.”
Where: Life Is a Journey, Not a Destination
2. BABY ANIMALS (ESPECIALLY THE BABY PIGS)
"Our youngest, Callum, is obsessed with animals. So he loves this part of the fair."
Where: Animal Learning Center
3. THE BUTTER COW
"We always make sure to check out the butter cow and butter sculptures, every year."
Where: Agriculture Building
4. GIANT SLIDE
“The Giant Slide is always a hit for the whole family.”
Where: Walnut Square
5. CHAINSAW CARVING
“The chainsaw wood sculpting is always a favorite of my husband. We love to see what they are able to make.”
Where: Country School
1. GRANDSTAND CONCERTS
The big stage will have big names like Thomas Rhett, Motley Crue, Jelly Roll, Gabriel Iglesias, and Ne-Yo for 2024.
Where: Grand Concourse
2. SNAKES ALIVE
This locally owned reptile exhibit has been around for more than 40 years, so you’ve certainly walked by … but have you dared to take a picture with a python?
Where: Walnut Square
3. SUPER BULL AND BIG BOAR
The winners of the Super Bull and Big Boar competition are always a thrill to behold. Last year’s Super Bull, Mean Gene, won with a weight of 3,060 pounds, while last year’s Big Boar, Winthrop, won with a weight of 1,012 pounds.
Where: Cattle Barn and Swine Barn
4. THE BACON BOX
It's quite literally a thrill to see what The Bacon Box does with their namesake ingredient, like last year's acclaimed Grinder Ball.
Where: North of Varied Industries Building
5. SKY GLIDER
If heights aren’t your thing, just wait until you need a break in the middle of the day and conquer your fear in search of rest.
Where: Next to Thrill Town or Thrillville