The Iowa State Fair starts Thursday and, while fair food is a big draw for many, the fair will again allow visitors to bring in drinks and snacks in soft-sided coolers. That policy was in effect for last year’s fair, too, and Iowa State Fair C-E-O Jeremy Parsons says it was the right thing to do. “We want all Iowans to feel welcome at the Iowa State Fair so affordability is key. “…When you come to the Iowa State Fair, outside of that gate admission you could spend all day and not spend another dime if you didn’t want to.” The Common Sense Institute has estimated the more than one-point-one MILLION people who attended the 2025 Iowa State Fair spent 85 MILLION dollars on the fairgrounds.