Iowa State Fair Guide: My 2015 state fair bucket list

To wrap up my first Iowa State Fair Guide, I've made a bucket list of things I want to do at the fair this year. Some are ones that I've done before, while others are ones I've wanted to try or haven't heard about before this year. There are some things I like to repeat from year to year out of tradition, but this year I also want to try a few new things and maybe make some new traditions. Here's what I'd like to see and do at the State Fair this year:

1. Try a wine flight from Top of the Vine. Can you believe I only just heard about this? It sounds perfect for me!

2. See a concert on the Grandstand. This is my biggest state fair tradition — I go to at least one every year. This year is The Fray with Andy Grammer!

3. Ride the Sky Glider. I've only done this once, but it's so fun and gives you such a great view of the fair!

4. Try a new food item. Some years I do this, and some years I stick with my favorites (cough, cornodog, cough). What new food should I try this year?

5. Watch a free show. Either a free concert, the Red Trouser Guys or maybe even the Chainsaws — I haven't decided yet!

6. Take a ride on Ye Old Mill. I've never done this, but apparently it's an old tradition for lovers to kiss while on the "love boat." It sounds too sweet to pass it up!

7. Ride the Ferris Wheel. Ferris Wheels have always been my favorite part of theme parks, but I don't think I've ever done it at the fair. This year I'm hoping to change that!

Are you going to the Iowa State Fair? What's on your state fair bucket list? Any votes for which new food item I should try this year?!

P.S. 7 free things to do at the fair, 10 foods to try and 8 things you'll see at the fair

Iowa State Fair Guide: 8 things you'll see at the fair

The Iowa State Fair is like the Walmart of events: It's prime time for people watching. Walking through the fairgrounds, you'll see a little bit of everything, and it makes for quite the show. Here's my list of 8 things to look out for. If you have more, feel free to add them in the comments!

1. A Grandstand band member/performer. I went to a Boys Like Girls concert at the fair when I was in high school, and while we were walking through the carnival section before the show we saw this guy talking to a small group of people. We wouldn't have thought anything of it, except he was wearing all black clothes in the middle of the fair, which is not a super normal sight for mid-August at the Iowa State Fair. We found out later that he was actually the lead singer of Boys Like Girls, and we probably could have met him had we actually known what he looked like. Moral of the story: Know your band's faces and be on the lookout. Some of them really do like to mingle with fans.

2. Presidential candidates. Seeing as how Iowa is one of the most important states for politics, the Iowa State Fair is a hotspot for people running for president. Find them speaking, eating, promoting and generally chatting up voters at every corner of the fair. You never know, you might just get a selfie with the next POTUS.

3. Cutoffs and cowboy boots. What would a fair be without a little country? Plaid shirts, cutoff shorts, cowboy hats, large belt buckles and boots abound, especially on the nights when a country singer is headlining the Grandstand.

4. A stumbling drunk person in the street. With so many beer tents sprinkled throughout the fair, it's not surprising that some people have a little too much fun. There's always that person who thinks it's a good idea to wander out of the tent, leaving their friends to chase them as they stumble through the crowds.

5. People with fanny packs. Well, it frees up both hands for food and drinks, so I guess it's not the worst idea?

6. People carrying a bag of freebies from the Varied Industries Building. It's a massive showcase of businesses and their booths. It seems to be mostly hot tubs, but there are a lot of free products and samples to be had from various tables. And some people just can't say no to that 16th plastic cup with a home furnishing store's logo on it.

7. Farm animals. It's a well-known fact that fairs are full of animal contests and 4-H events, but bonus points if you can spot an animal somewhere inside the fair where it's maybe not supposed to be.

8. A sunglasses-shaped sunburn. Spending all day — morning till midnight — at the fair in the hot August sun leaves for some really fun sunburns. You'll know the campers and daily fair goers by the white raccoon eyes and extremely pink faces.

What would you add to the list of things you'll see at the state fair? 

P.S. 7 things to do at the fair and 10 foods to try and my 2015 fair bucket list

Iowa State Fair Guide: 10 foods to try

Welcome back, babes! As promised, I'm back with another Iowa State Fair Guide post. In case you couldn't tell, this one is dedicated to food, because if we're being honest, that's pretty much the main attraction here. The Iowa State Fair is famous for putting anything and everything on a stick. From the normal corndog to the weirder caprese salad — it's all there. Here I've put together a list of 10 foods, both old and new, everyone should try (or at least consider trying) at the State Fair. Be sure to let me know your top picks in the comments below!

Iowa State Fair Guide: 7 free things to do at the fair

The Iowa State Fair is so big and so jam-packed with things to do that it's impossible to narrow the must-do list down to any number. The best way to experience the fair is to keep going back, whether that means returning every day, a couple days each year, or just one day every year. My personal recommendation is to check it out a couple half days each year, because it can get a bit overwhelming to be there longer than that, but I know some people who camp at the fair for the whole time, every single year, and love it. Whatever floats your boat!

No matter how you decide to do it, the Iowa State Fair is one of the best (if not the best) state fairs in the country, so it's something that should be on everyone's bucket list — Iowans especially. And for those of you who are trying it out for the first time this year, I've put together an Iowa State Fair Guide. I'll have a different post for the next four days, so make sure you come back every day to check it out! Today, we'll start with 7 free things to do at the Iowa State Fair.