The State Fair is the largest gathering of human beings in Iowa each year (though we’re still out-numbered seven to one by the hogs), and it truly is one of those “you have to see it to believe it” types of experiences. That being said, you can always make a good thing better, so The State Fair Trust will be rolling out the following improvements to make the 2016 edition the biggest and the bestest and the Iowa-est-est edition ever:

• Open Carry Night: first 10,000 admissions packing visible heat receive commemorative shoulder holsters, available in either Hawkeye or Cyclone colors.
• Caucus Candidate Octagon Death Matches will be staged in the new Joni Ernst Castratorium.
• Pole dancing is officially qualified for its own “Varied Industry” booth.
• An animatronic Terry Branstad will greet visitors at the Iowa Craft Beer Tent.
• The Sheep Barn will be replaced with the Rhino Barn.
• The Des Moines Register’s Tattoo Pavilion will provide free tramp stamps with each validated Fairgrounds parking ticket; no henna here, but real, permanent ink!
• Cannibal Corpse and Insane Clown Posse will headline at the Grandstand for East Side Night.
• All food booths will offer cheese-wrapped, bacon-filled, batter-dipped, deep-fried Cavatelli de Burgo. On a stick.
• There will be Big Boar rides at the Kid’s Activity Center.
• A Lion’s Den Adult Entertainment Pavilion will be located adjacent to the Campgrounds.
• The Sky Glider has been turned into a thrill ride by increasing its speed ten-fold and requiring running mounts and dismounts.
• The Butter Cow has been replaced with an anatomically correct Butter Bull.

East Side Night in the Grandstand.