Parade to Kick-off 2024 Iowa State Fair

DES MOINES, IA (08/07/2024) (readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Parade, August 7, 2024, at 6:15 p.m., serves as the official kick-off to the 2024 Iowa State Fair. The parade will travel from the Capitol down Grand Avenue and march west to 15th Street. Over 130 entries are registered in this year's parade. Awards will be given in band, horse and general categories. Iowa PBS will broadcast live starting at 6:15 p.m.

Long-time volunteer Don Hummel has been selected to lead Iowa's largest parade through the streets of downtown Des Moines. Don Hummel from Elk Horn, Iowa has volunteered as the sheep superintendent since 1994. He got involved because he was a shepherd for Iowa State University and the former superintendent, Tom Cory, was stepping down. As he starts his 31st year, Don says his favorite part is reconnecting with exhibitors and meeting the new people coming in to show sheep. His favorite food, as you would expect, is a lamb burger from the food booth right by the sheep barn. Because his quiet, hard-working personality wins out, Don also heads up our stock dog trials, the biggest ram and the sheep shearing competitions in addition to helping with 4-H and FFA shows before his open sheep shows begin each Fair.

The 2024 Iowa State Fair runs from August 8-18, 2024. Visit iowastatefair.org for the full daily schedule, download the official Iowa State Fair App or text FAIR to 844.844.8508 for the latest information.

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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. Catch Fair Fever at the Iowa State Fair August 8-18, 2024. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.