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DNR 2024 state fair

Visitors to the DNR building at the 2024 Iowa State Fair will notice several exciting upgrades and renovations to the open-air courtyard on the west side of the building. Upgrades include a new covered stage, a shooting range building, and a rainscape garden, all designed to provide fairgoers with more connections to the outdoors.

The Iowa State Fair runs from August 8 - 18. As always, fairgoers will enjoy visiting the historic building featuring fish aquariums, a magazine booth with free t-shirt offer, duck pond, animal displays, and a new display about environmentally sustainable practices in the home. Come visit the DNR building at the Iowa state fair, and have your best year ever.

The DNR fair building is located near the west entrance of the fairgrounds and just to the west of the grandstand along the grand concourse.


2024 Courtyard Schedule

Thursday, August 8

  • 11:00 – Iowa Turtles (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Farm Pond Management (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs: 

  • Morning - Knot Tying (Courtyard)
  • Afternoon - Fish Printing (Courtyard)
  • 2:00 to 4:00 - Tree Friendly Bird Feeders (Courtyard)
  • Afternoon - Casting 101 (Courtyard)

Friday,  August 9

Smokey’s 80th Birthday Celebration 

  • 11:00 – Public Sings Happy Birthday to Smokey & Photo Opportunities (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Smokey Bear Trivia (Courtyard Stage)
  • 3:00 – Public Sings Happy Birthday to Smokey & Photo Opportunities (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Smokey Bear Trivia (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs: 

  • Morning - Reading of Smokey Bear Story (Courtyard Stage)
  • Afternoon - Reading of Smokey Bear Story (Courtyard Stage)

Saturday, August 10

  • 11:00 – Gray Fox Research in Iowa: How Can You Help (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Iowa’s Wild Animals: Bear, Bobcats, and Mountain Lions - Oh My! (Courtyard Stage)
  • 3:00 –  DIY Wild Game Processing and Cooking (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs: 

  • Morning - Fish Printing (Courtyard)
  • 11:00 to 2:00 - Ongoing demo of basic fish cleaning and cooking tactics for your catch.  Free samples of fresh cooked Iowa fish available.  (Courtyard)

Sunday, August 11

Reusapalooza Celebration 

  • 11:00 – Connecting Youth with Nature for Health and Wellness (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Trumpeter Swans and Wetland (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs: 

  • 9:00 to 6:00 - Nature’s Ultimate Recyclers - Trees - Informational Exhibit (Courtyard)
  • Morning - Wild Touch Experiences - Outdoor Sensory Exhibit (Courtyard)
  • 10:00 to 4:00 - Multiple stations for fairgoers to participate in upcycled activities. Special guest appearance by “Rocky the Recycler” during the day. (Courtyard)
  • 2:00 to 4:00 - Tree Friendly Bird Feeders

Monday, August 12

  • 11:00 – Raptors - Live Animals (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Waterfowl Hunting Basics (Courtyard Stage) 
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs: 

  • Morning - Knot Tying (Courtyard)
  • 10:00 to 4:00 - Visitors will have a chance to interact with members of a local Delta Waterfowl Chapter to learn about waterfowl hunting, safety, and gear. (Courtyard)
  • Afternoon - Learn About Native Animals - Live Animals (Courtyard)
  • 2:00 to 4:00 - Tree Friendly Bird Feeders (Courtyard)

Tuesday, August 13

  • 11:00 – Monarchs & Milkweed (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Naturally Creative Kids
  • 3:00 - Who Pooped in the Park
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs: 

  • Morning - Pollinator Seed Balls - Make and Take (Courtyard)
  • Afternoon - Monarch Life Cycle - Living Exhibit (Courtyard)
  • Morning/Afternoon - Smokey Bear - Meet & Greet (Courtyard)
  • Morning/Afternoon - Turkey Calling, Turkey Fans, and Turkey Feet (Courtyard)

Wednesday, August 14

Sensory Day (9am to 12pm)

  • 11:00 – Is That a Pond or a Wetland? How to Tell Ponds and Wetlands Apart and Why the Correct Name Matters (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Paddling 101 (Courtyard Stage)
  • 3:00 – Rainscaping for Soil and Water Health (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs: 

  • 9:00 to 5:00 - Conservation Station Trailer (Courtyard)

Iowa Learning Farms partners with Water Rocks! to bring audiences the Conservation Station—a mobile learning center that educates audiences of all ages on different conservation aspects. The trailer houses a unique combination of highly visual and interactive Iowa-centric demonstrations that delve into the impacts of land management choices, both urban and agricultural, on water quality and the connections between our state’s water, soil, and wildlife. Visiting fairs, festivals, farmers markets, and other public events, the Conservation Station trailer provides a range of demonstrations, games, learning opportunities and hands-on activities for all ages.

  • 9:00 to 12:00 - Wild Touches, Textures, and Smells (Courtyard)
  • 9:00 to 12:00 - Is This Sticky? Tree-Themed Sensory Box (DNR Building)
  • 2:00 to 4:00 - Tree Friendly Bird Feeders (Courtyard)

Thursday, August 15

  • 11:00 – Foraging: Hunting for a Taste of Nature (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Adaptations are SuperPowers - Live Animals (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs: 

  • 10:00 to 4:00 - Hunter Safety Trail (Courtyard)
  • 2:00 to 4:00 - Tree Friendly Bird Feeders (Courtyard)

Friday, August 16

  • 11:00 – The Greatest State Park Story Ever Told (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Fly Fishing with Hawkeye Fly Fishers (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs: 

  • Morning/Afternoon - Smokey Bear - Meet & Greet (Courtyard)

Saturday, August 17

  • 11:00 – Outdoor Cooking Basics (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Iowa Native Snakes - Live Animals (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs: 

  • 2:00 to 4:00 - Tree Friendly Bird Feeders (Courtyard)
  • Afternoon - Meet Native Iowa Snakes (Courtyard)

Sunday, August 18

  • 11:00 – Furs and Tracks (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Iowa Mammoth Fossils (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs: 

  • Morning - Fish Printing (Courtyard)
  • 2:00 to 4:00 - Tree Friendly Bird Feeders (Courtyard)
  • Afternoon - Wild Touches, Textures, and Smells (Courtyard)