Day 9 guide to the Iowa State Fair: What to do at the fairgrounds Friday, Aug. 16 (2024)

The 2024 Iowa State Fair marks the 170th year of the state's biggest event. It's a summer tradition that draws more than 1 million people to the east Des Moines fairgrounds.This year's fair runs 11 days from Thursday, Aug. 8, through Sunday, Aug. 18.» Frequently asked questions about the Iowa State Fair» See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here.Here's what you need to know about Day 9 of the 2024 Iowa State Fair. Day 9: Friday, Aug. 16Grandstand: The Avett Brothers with G. Love and Special Sauce, 8 p.m.; ticketsFree stage headliners: Blake Guyre at the Susan Knapp Amphitheater, 8 p.m.; Ron Diamond on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Not Quite Brothers on the MidAmerican Energy Stage, 8 p.m.Weather: Check our daily forecast here.Daily attendance record: 112,891 on the second Friday in 2019Iowan of the Day: Elain Graham Estes of Des MoinesLive KCCI newscast: 4:30-5 p.m. at the MidAmerican Energy StageEat something: Iowa may be landlocked, but the state fair offers a variety of seafood options including grilled shrimp on a stick, walleye on a stick, walleye fish tacos, lobster corn dogs, jumbo crab rangoons, firecracker shrimp, calamari and lobster rolls.Don't miss: The Department of Natural Resources Building has an assortment of programs, presentations and even aquariums. At 1 p.m. there's fly fishing with the Hawkeye Fly Fishers and DNR trivia is at 5 p.m.Where will KCCI be at the fair?You can see KCCI 8 News live at 4:30 p.m. every weekday during the fair from the MidAmerican Energy Stage.You can also stream KCCI 8’s coverage of the Iowa State Fair for free on the Very Local app. Click here to download Very Local to your phone.See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here.WATCH: Nearly 50 children officially become United States citizens at the Iowa State FairAdmission, hours and more for the fairLocation: The fairgrounds are located at East 30th Street and East University Avenue in Des Moines.Hours: Fairgrounds are open Aug. 8-17 from 8 a.m.-midnight, Aug. 18 from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and buildings are open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. everyday.Thrill park hours include:Thrill Ville: 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Aug. 8-17; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Aug. 18Thrill Town: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Aug. 8-17; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Aug. 18.Thrill Zone: 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Aug. 8-17; 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. on Aug. 18.Admission: Adult admission costs $16 at the gate and $10 for children ages 6-11. Kids 5 and under are free.WATCH: Saturday marks all-time attendance record at Iowa State FairIowa State Fair attendance recordsLast year's fair was the second-biggest with 1,133,958 people attending. That's about 36,000 short of the all-time record of 1,170,375 set in 2019.Top 10 biggest fairs2019: 1,170,3752023: 1,133,9582018: 1,130,2602017: 1,130,0712022: 1,118,7632015: 1,117,3982008: 1,109,1502012: 1,097,1422021: 1,094,4802011: 1,080,959 Highest daily attendance all-timeFirst Thursday: 101,262 in 2008First Friday: 115,703 in 2001First Saturday: 128,732 in 2024First Sunday: 115,048 in 2024Monday: 105,522 in 2017Tuesday: 105,384 in 2024Wednesday: 109,323 in 2019Second Thursday: 107,449 in 2015Second Friday: 112,891 in 2019Second Saturday: 128,298 in 2022Second Sunday: 119,754 in 2012 WATCH: West Des Moines boy takes home second consecutive win at the Iowa State Fair's rooster calling contest