Iowa State Fair Friday Schedule: Big Pumpkin, Grocery-Bagging Contests and More

With the forecast calling for highs in the 70s, today might be the perfect time to hit the Iowa State Fair.

Here's a quick rundown of today's events, both free and paid. For a full list of events visit the Iowa State Fair website.

4H and FFA Shows
8 a.m. Dairy Cattle Show: Ayrshire, Holstein, Milking Shorthorn in Pioneer Livestock Pavilion
8 a.m. Sheep Show: Long Wool in Sheep Barn
8 a.m. FFA Sheep Show: Breeding in Sheep Barn
8 a.m. FFA Swine Show: Crossbred Market in Swine Barn

Fun, Free Events
8:30 a.m. Dodging Bullets Band from West Des Moines at the Susan Knapp Amphitheater
9 a.m. Ankeny Dance & Performing Arts Academy on the Anne & Bill Riley Stage
9 a.m. Big Pumpkin Contest at the John Deere Agriculture Building
9:30 a.m. Horseshoe Pitching: Iowa State Regional Team Championship at Heritage Village
10 a.m. Dragon Spirit Cheerleading from Johnston on the Anderson Erickson Dairy Stage
1 p.m. Grocery Bagging Contest at Budweiser Stage
3 p.m. Youth Spelling Bee at Penningroth Media Center in the Cattle Barn
6 p.m. Sheep Herding Relay at Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center

Free Music
7 p.m. and 9 p.m. The Nadas at the Anderson Erickson Dairy Stage
8 p.m. Action Item on the Anne & Bill Riley Stage
7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Bob Wootton on the Budweiser Stage
8 p.m. Mockingbird Sun at the Susan Knapp Amphitheater

Grandstand Events
8 p.m. Happy Together Tour 2012 - staring The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, The Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, The Grass Roots & The Buckinghams. Tickets are $25

Where to Park

• North, Sims and Northeast Lot Parking: $10
• Motorcycle Parking: $10
• Bicycle Parking (inside Gate 10): $2
• Buses and Drivers: FREE

Paid parking will also be available in a new lot just east of East 36th Street on East University Avenue.

Park & Ride
Show your advance admission ticket at one of DART’s three State Fair Park & Rides and ride for $1 for adults and 50-cents for children ages six to 10 years of age, seniors and people with disabilities. Children ages five and under ride for free.

Regular roundtrip prices are $2 for adults, and $1 for children, seniors and people with disabilities.

Locations for park & ride:

• Center Street Park & Ride (7th and Center St., enter on 7th St.)
• Southeast Polk School (N.E. 80th St. and Highway 163)
• State Capitol (East 12th and Grand Ave.)

Service to and from park & ride locations run from 8:30 a.m. to midnight during the fair. Service will be extended for late-ending Grandstand shows.