The Iowa State Fair kicks off in less than 100 days and now festival organizers are promising a boatload of free entertainment.
The 2024 roster includes everything from family-friendly daytime shows to emerging artists. Look for favorites like rockers Hairball, hypnotist Ron Diamond, cover band The Pork Tornados and folk rockers The Nadas returning to the fair, as well as music that includes plenty of country, classic rock, contemporary Christian and tribute bands covering Billy Joel, Elton John, Tom Petty and Chicago.
While admission to the fair is mandatory to see these shows, once at the Fairgrounds, attendance at all of the following performances is free. Adult tickets are $11 before the State Fair or $16 at the gate.
Here’s a look at the free entertainment at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.
Susan Knapp Amphitheater
- August 8: The Steel Woods (country), 8 p.m.
- August 9: Restless Road (country), 8 p.m.
- August 10: The War and the Treaty (country), 8pm
- August 11: Kelsey Hart (country), 8 p.m.
- August 12: 49 Winchester (country), 8pm
- August 13th to 14th: Hairball (tribute to 80s rock), 8pm
- August 15: Shaylen (country), 8 p.m.
- August 16: Blake Guyre (tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel), 8pm
- August 17: Ella Langley (country), 8 p.m.
- August 18: Matt Stell (country), 7 p.m.
More:Iowa State Fair announces final two grandstand shows. How to get tickets.
Anne and Bill Riley Stage
- August 8-9: The Little Mermen (Disney movie hits), 5pm and 7pm
- Aug. 10: Iowa State Fair Queen Coronation presented by Nature Hill, 7 p.m.
- August 11: Salsa del Soul Productions (Latino), 7pm and 9pm
- August 12: Country Gold – LeRoy Van Dyke and the Malpass Brothers (Country), 5 and 7:30 p.m.
- August 13th to 17th: Ron Diamond (hypnotist), 7pm and 9pm
- August 18: Cochran & Co. (Christian), 7 p.m.
Central America Energy Internship
- August 8: The Family Stone (funk), 8pm
- August 9: The Nadas (folk), 7pm and 9pm
- August 10: Good To Be King (tribute to Tom Petty), 8 p.m.
- August 11: Austin Snell (country), 8 p.m.
- August 12: Transit Authority (tribute to Chicago), 8 p.m.
- August 13: Fuel (stone), 8 p.m.
- August 14: Tayler Holder (country), 8 p.m.
- August 15: The Pork Tornadoes (pop), 8pm
- August 16: Not Quite Brothers (rock), 8pm
- August 17: Jason Brown (country), 8 p.m.
- August 18: RVSHVD (country), 7pm
More:Here’s How to Get Tickets for Iowa State Fair Tractors and Outlaw Trucks
Fun internship in the forest
- August 8th to 18th: The Chipper Experience (children’s magic show)
- August 8th to 18th: The Dollipops (children’s music)
Other entertainment
- Chainsaw Artists Gary Keenan, TJ Jenkins and Clint Henik – Expo Hill
- Straw sculptures by Brian Sobaski – Ruan Plaza and near Giant Slide
- Flying Fools High Dive Show, sponsored by Mountain Valley Spring Water – Jacobson Exhibition Center West Lawn
- iFlip, sponsored by Mountain Valley Spring Water – Jacobson Exhibition Center West Lawn
- Hot Glass Academy — Heritage Village, next to First Church
- Cowboy Boot Camp – North of Little Hands on the Farm
- Children in the Kitchen – Variety Theater
- Bandaloni – Strolling
- The Illuminator – Strolling
- The Ice Cream Show – Strolling
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and restaurant reporter for The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitteror Instagram, or write to her at sstapleton@gannett.com.
