Iowa State Fair Schedule for Thursday: Food Drive Kicks Off 11 Days of Events

The time has come, Iowans!

Opening day of the 2013 Iowa State Fair is Thursday, Aug. 8. Each day is packed with fun events for the entire family, and this day is no exception.

So to make your life easy, we'll be highlighting some of the best fair events each day through Aug. 18. Take our word for it or check out the full calendar, but the point is – don't miss out.

Opening Day Food Drive

On opening day, the fair will host a one-day meal-packaging event in partnership with Meals from the Heartland, the Iowa Soybean Association, the Iowa Food and Family Project and GROWMARK. The Fair’s goal is to package 250,000 meals to help alleviate life-threatening hunger around the world.

That's where you come in. 

The fair is collecting monetary donations to help purchase supplies for these soy-based meal products. To make a donation, please click here.

Calendar of Events

Anne and Bill Riley Stage

9:00 AM Twins, Triplets and More Contest

12:00 PM Bill Riley’s Talent Search

4-H Exhibits Building

9 AM - 5 PM Exhibits including automotive, Cook This! culinary challenge, Share the Fun and more

Budweiser Stage

9:00 AM Currie Dance Studio, Urbandale

8:00 PM Blue Öyster Cult

Discovery Garden

8:00 AM Gardening Q&A, Polk County Master Gardeners

Elwell Family Food Center

11:00 AM Ghiradelli Chocolate Championship, Judging Room 1

12:00 PM Mrs. Grimes Chili Cook-off, Judging Room 2

1:00 PM AllSpice Cookie Contest, Judging Room 3

3:00 PM Tone’s Cinnamon Rolls, Judging Room 1

Fairview Stage

10:00 AM Silly Sally the Clown, Ames

7:00 PM & 9:00 PM The Nadas

Farm Bureau Pioneer Hall

1:30 PM Ladies’ Chicken Calling Contest

John Deere Agriculture Building

All Day Butter Sculptures

9 AM - 4 PM Various exhibits and judging including florticulture, fruit crops, and horticulture.

Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center

11, 1 and 3 PM The TAF Magic Show

Susan R. Knapp Ampitheatre

12:00 PM Robert Thomas Dancenter Irish Performance Team, Ames

1:00 PM Vocalist Maddie Walker, Ankeny

4:30 PM Iowa State Fair Queen Introductions

Iowa State Fair Grandstand

8:00 PM Casting Crowns with special guest Jeremy Camp, $30