Family Fun at the County Fair

Family Fun at the County Fair

County fairs aren’t just for 4-Hers & FFAers. These carnival-ride-filled festivals are a great way to introduce your kids to the sights and sounds of your childhood. While our urban diversions draw us away from country livin’ most of the year, summertime is the perfect season to revisit the sweet farm animals, pies, projects, Bill Riley Talent Shows, fair queens and more. Plan ahead, as this fair-goodness is jam–packed into just a few short weeks.

Boone County Fair

1601 Industrial Park Road •  Boone, IA 50036 • (515) 432-5899 •  boonecountyfairia.com

Do you have a tyke that’s crazy about animals? Head to the Boone County Fair where your kids will be able to check out all kinds of farm animals in the barn. This fair goes all out for the kiddos with a Carnival, Nick’s Kids Shows, Helping Hands Farm and Kidz Corner specifically designed for them.  You also won’t go away hungry.  The Boone County Fair hosts a FREE Watermelon Feed on the Saturday of the fair at 4:00 pm and a FREE Sweet Corn Feed on the Sunday at 1:00 pm.

Dates: July 23rd – July 26th, 2015
Hours: Daily 7:30 am to 12:00 midnight
Cost: FREE.  Ticket information is provided on the website for carnival rides and grandstand events.

Central Iowa Fair

2608 S 2nd Street •  Marshalltown, IA 50158 • (641) 753-3671 •  centraliowafairgrounds.net

This county wide festival redefines “hanging out at the fair”.  There will be a rock climbing wall awaiting your little climbers on Friday and Saturday.  Kids can have even more fun at the Pony Go Round Pony Rides; Kid Land, which includes putt putt golf, spin art, inflatables and a dunk tank; and Toby the Balloon Dude.  Parents will love the STEM Hands-On Exhibits.

Dates: July 8th – 12th, 2015
Hours: Wednesday & Thursday 8:00 am – 11:00 pm; Friday 8:00 am to 10:00 pm; Saturday 7:00 am to 12:00 midnight; Sunday 7:30 am – 12:00 noon
Cost: Not Listed.

Dallas County Fair

28057 Fairground Road •  Adel, IA 50003 • (515) 993-3728 • dallascountyfair.com

Come “down on the farm” for this large and dynamic fair. There are endless contests, live music, and great fair food.  Vehicle fanatics will love the Kid’s Pedal Tractor Pull, Figure 8 and Circle Track Racing. The day to take a spin on the Tilt-a-Whirl is on Thursday July 8th at the Dallas County Fair. All kids’ rides are $1.00 until 2:30 pm or you can purchase an unlimited ride wristband for $15.00, good from 5:00 pm til close. Weary kids (and parents) can take a load off at the Little Critter Corner or with Mr. Nick Balloon Artist.

Dates: July 8th – July 12th, 2015
Hours: 7:00 am – 12:00 midnight
Cost: FREE.  Ticket information is provided on the website for carnival rides and selected events.

Jasper County Fair

359 N. Walnut Street • Colfax, IA 50054 (515) 674-4382 • jaspercofair.com

The theme of the 2015 Jasper County Fair is “Blue Jeans and County Fair Dreams.” Entertainment includes Mutton Bustin, Fireworks and a Teen Dance to name a few. Family Day is July 19th and will feature a Hot Dog Eating Contest, Oreo Stacking Contest and a FREE supper.  Monday is Children’s Day with a Kid’s Carnival, Kids’ Corner-Reading with Marcus McIntosh and a parade.

Dates: July 17th – 23rd, 2015
Hours: Friday 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Saturday to Thursday 7:00 am to 12:00 midnight
Cost: Not Listed

Madison County Fair

1204 W. Summit Street • Winterset, IA 50273 • (515) 462-1295 • madisoncountyfair.net

Dog lovers will delight in the Dog Show – agility and fun activity. If you have little daredevils and carnival ride lovers, the $12 unlimited ride wristband will keep them entertained from 1:00 to 5:00 pm on Sunday, the 18th. Grandstand and Arena events include a truck pull, two rodeos, circle track mud run and mud bog.

Dates: July 19th – 25th, 2015
Hours: Wednesday 6:00 am – 11:00 pm; Thursday, Friday & Sunday 6:30 am – 11:00 pm; Saturday 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Cost: Not Listed.

Marion County Fair

1000 N Lincoln Street • Knoxville, IA 50138 • (641) 842-5431 • www.knoxvilleraceway.com/Pages/Marion-County-Fair

There’s plenty of entertainment at all of the fairs, but the Marion County Fair is chock full of family fun. “Barn in the USA” is this year’s theme and rides, rodeo, farm animals, pony rides, face painting and a daily Kids Craft Corner are all part of the fun. Go roller skating and play Chicken Poop Bingo or take in a Sprint Car race and watch fireworks after.

Dates: July 10th – 16th, 2015
Hours: Friday 9:00 am – 11:00 pm. Saturday 7:00 am to 12:00 midnight; Sunday 8:00 am to 11:00 pm; Monday 8:00 am – 10:30 pm; Tuesday 7:00 am – 11:00 pm; Wednesday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
Cost: Not Listed. Ticket information is provided on the website for grandstand events.

Polk County Fair

Iowa State Fair Grounds • 3000 E Grand Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50317 • (515) 262-3111 • www.polkcountyfairiowa.com

With the “big show” in less than a month this county fair is a “Ticket to Fun” for local agriculture enthusiasts.  Enjoy an authentic county fair close to home with blue ribbon competitions in livestock, produce, home crafts, arts and crafts, and more. The fair features barbeque, Anything Goes Competition, Bill Riley Talent Search and a Teen Dance.

Dates: July 22nd – July 27th, 2015
Hours: Wednesday 8:30 am – 10:00 pm; Thursday 8:00 am – 10:00 pm; Friday 7:00 am – 10:00 pm; Saturday 8:00 am – 12 midnight; Sunday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; Monday 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Cost: FREE

Story County Fair

220 H Avenue • Nevada, IA 50201 • (515) 382-6551 • www.sc-fair.com/index.html

Kids will love 75 Celebration Activities fun zone just for them.  Offering pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, inflatables and the Silly Sally Show. And of course, you won’t want to miss all the livestock and pet shows, Queen Coronation and Family Fun Night at the Story County Fair.

Dates: July 25th – July 29th, 2015
Hours: Saturday 8:00 am to 10:00 pm; Sunday 6:30 am to 11:00 pm; Monday 9:00 am – 8:30 pm; Tuesday 8:30 am – 9:00 pm; Wednesday 7:30 am – 8:30 pm
Cost: Not listed.

Warren County Fair

1400 W 2nd Avenue • Indianola, IA 50125 • (515) 961-5861 • www.warrencofair.com

“Grow it and Show it” in Indianola at the Warren County Fair. Family fun abounds at this event filled attraction.  The fair’s entertainment includes a concert by Susie Mcintire-Eaton, George of the Juggle, Tuey-comic stunt juggler and a rodeo. Kids won’t want to miss the Carnival Rides (wristbands will be available for $20.00 at the fair) and the Nick’s Kids Show.

Dates: June 22nd – 27th, 2015
Hours: Wednesday 7:00 am – 11:00 pm; Thursday 6:30 am – 11:00 pm; Friday 8:00 am – 11:00 pm; Saturday 8:00 am – 11:00 pm; Sunday 8:00 am – 11:30 pm
Cost: Not listed.

Have you been to any of these fairs recently? Share your tips for new fair-going families in the comments below!