The Iowa State Fair is thrilled to provide an opportunity for Iowa talent to perform in front of audiences of all sizes.
These performances are provided for exposure and experience rather than for a financial exchange.
The Iowa State Fair has three stages for performances. These include the MidAmerican Stage, the Knapp Stage and the Riley Stage. All stages are equipped with a sound system, chairs, (no music stands) and stage/sound crews. Performances are scheduled to start on the hour or half-hour and end 15 minutes before the next hour or half-hour. (For example; if you are scheduled for 9:00 a.m., you must be finished no later than 9:45 a.m.) This allows a 15 minute set up/tear down time between performers and also ensures that our show will begin as scheduled in the Daily Program. In some circumstances, longer performance times are given, at the Fair’s discretion. There are no evening stage times available.
Please remember when planning your event that time and dressing rooms are very limited. The Fair will provide signage for your performance.
Because of the large number of applications, final scheduling may take until the 15th of May. We try to honor the dates you requested but sometimes, because of other scheduled events, this becomes impossible.
Please fill out all three choices and remember that weekend times are the hardest to get into. You will have a better chance of receiving your first choice if it is a weekday. If you do not write three choices down, you will be placed into the “anytime” file and will not be able to change your performance once it is scheduled.
Please also remember that Saturday times are the most requested, if you request a Saturday performance there are no guarantees that you will receive one.
The dates of the 2024 Iowa State Fair are August 8th-18th.
If you are selected to perform, you will receive a confirmation letter telling of your performance date, time and location. At this point, you will need to send in your letter confirming that you will perform. You will also be given the opportunity to purchase one parking pass for $10.00. This parking pass will allow you to park at the stage right before, during, and right after your performance only. Due to space constraints, only one vehicle is allowed per act. Please remember this when planning your performance.
Please complete and return this entertainment application and a promotional packet to the Iowa State Fair, at the below address by April 1, 2024. Please complete the entire application!
IMPORTANT! Due to the increase in the number and variety of performers, we are requiring that each NEW performer or group submit a promotional packet to help us in the selection process. This packet may include one or more of the following: documentation citing past awards or recognition of the performer or group, letters of recommendation, a listing of public appearances (including radio and TV), pictures and, if possible, a DVD or audio sample or your performance. Performers may substitute a website if site contains all the above elements or a combination of hard copy and website information.
If you performed at the Iowa State Fair in 2023 you are not required to submit this information, as it is already on file. If your act was a late cancel or a no show in 2023 or if you did not follow the parking rules you will not be scheduled to perform in 2024.
Iowa State Fair policy prohibits performers from soliciting contributions from the audience; however, you are allowed to sell merchandise pertaining to your performance (cds, DVDs or shirts) with no merchandise fee being paid back to the Fair. You are allowed to sell during your performance only.
We appreciate those of you who have continued to support us with your performances through the years and also welcome any new performers.