As the fairgrounds open on Aug. 7, visitors will notice one major change from previous years: outside food and beverages are now allowed inside.
Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons said in a statement that the fair has expanded what’s allowed through security, including drinks — except for alcohol and glass containers — and food that fits in a small, soft-sided cooler. The fair previously only allowed sealed water bottles and small snacks.
“Sealed, unsealed, water, pop, coffee, tea, Gatorade, ice, no ice, empty, full, lid, no lid — all good!,” Parsons said.
In addition to the new food and drink policy, the fair has added new gates on the northwest side of the fairgrounds near East 30th Street and Elwell Family Park. The change hopefully will cut down wait times for visitors to the fair, according to officials.
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“Many Fairgoers park in the neighborhoods to the West of the Fairgrounds; however, there has only been one entrance at Grand Ave (Gate 11), which caused a bottleneck and long lines,” Parsons said. “A new sidewalk on East 30th and a new walk-through entrance at Maple will provide additional access and should speed up entrance into the Fair.“
The Iowa State Fair runs Aug. 7-17.
Norah Judson is a reporter for the Register. Reach her at njudson@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: New Iowa State Fair policy allows outside food and drink into fair