Opening Day Excitement at the Iowa State Fair

DES MOINES, IA (06/28/2016)(readMedia)-- August 11th marks the opening day of the 2016 Iowa State Fair, with a celebration of activities.

Enjoy $3 off the purchase of an admission ticket with the donation of three cans of non-perishable food. Donations will be accepted at all gates from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be donated to the Food Bank of Iowa. One in eight Iowans are food insecure, so this is a great opportunity to enjoy the Iowa State Fair and help Iowans in need.

Join the Healthiest State Initiative for a guided 30 minute walking tour showcasing Iowa State Fairgrounds history. Walk and learn about the growth and development of the Fairgrounds from 1886 to today. This free tour begins at 8:15 a.m. on the Grand Concourse and ends at the State Fair Opening Ceremonies in the Oman Family Youth Inn.

The official 2016 Iowa State Fair Opening Ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m. in the newly renovated Oman Family Youth Inn. Fairgoers can stop in and see the updated facilities and kick off the Fair with Board Members and guest speakers. The Oman Family Youth Inn will also host additional events, and will be the home for continuous Olympics coverage throughout the Fair.

Don't miss the opening day entertainment like the Stilt Circus presents the Bistrevsky Brothers Variety Show set to perform at Noon, 3 and 6 p.m. on Expo Hill. From 6:30-8:00 p.m. on the MidAmerican Energy Stage, make sure to catch the Des Moines Symphony's special outdoor performance of the Fair inspired masterpiece, Symphony on a Stick.

Other activities include free performances by Heffron Drive, Stryper, Vocal Trash, Captiva and Deanna Carter. Plus Christian music favorites The Newsboys with special guest Francesca Battistelli on the Grandstand at 8 p.m. Fairgoers can also enjoy the Twins, Triplets and More Contest, the Big Ram, Big Boar and Super Bull contests, plus all the delectable foods. Nothing Compares to the Iowa State Fair, August 11-21, 2016. .

A complete listing of opening day activities will be available at iowastatefair.org beginning in July.

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Frequently ranked as one of the top events in the country, the Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair located at East 30th and East University, just 10 minutes from downtown Des Moines is Iowa's greatest celebration with a salute to the best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement. "Nothing Compares" to the 2016 Iowa State Fair, August 11-21, 2016. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.