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Planning your trip to the Iowa State Fair? This local mom’s guide covers everything you need to know — fair dates, must-try food (hello, bacon on a stick!), money-saving tips like the Family Fun Pack, and the can’t-miss exhibits and shows, from the butter cow to the giant pumpkins. Whether you’re a first-timer or a 4-H family veteran, get the real scoop on making the most of your visit to Des Moines for the Iowa State Fair.
My state fair story started when I was 14 years old as I hid under a piece of cardboard in the back of a minivan to get to work without an admission fee.
The neighbor lady who arranged my job at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, thought it was dumb to pay admission just to show up for work. So when the van pulled up to the gate, we flattened ourselves under cardboard and held our breath until we were through. I’m not sure it saved us more than a few dollars. But it felt like the most logical thing in the world at the time, and honestly, I still think she was right. Who wants to pay for the privilege of going to work?…