Iowa State Fair 2010 Parking and More

Parking at the Iowa State Fair can easily cost $10 or more. However the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority [DART] offers some bus services for those attending the fair.

Buses will continue carrying fair goers to and from the free Park and Ride lots around the state Capitol . It will also carry passengers from Southeast Polk Middle School.

Round-trip fares cost $2 for adults and $1 for children [6-10], seniors [65+] and those with disabilities. Exact cash fare is required. The Route 1 Fairgrounds bus runs from 6 a.m. to about 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7:45 to 5:30 on Saturday and Sunday.

Take any of the main bus routes downtown and transfer to a Route bus to catch Route 1 to the fairgrounds. Or drive to one of several nearby Park and Ride lots, park for free and follow the signs to the nearest pickup point.

The following Park and Ride lots providing rides to the State Fair include:

*State Capitol or East High [enter from E 12th Street north of I-235 and walk to E 12th and Grand
- with pickup at East 12th and Grand Avenue. Information says bus stop times are 5:30 p.m. to midnight on Monday-Friday and 8:30 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday.

* Downtown Center Street Parking Garage - with pickup at 6th Avenue and Center Street. Information says times are from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday and 8:30 a.m. to midnight on Saturday and Sunday.

* Southeast Polk - with pickup at Southeast Polk Middle School at Southeast 80th Avenue and Highway 163. Information says that times for the Southeast Polk stop is from 8:30 a.m. to midnight daily.

Please note that due to flooding within the Des Moines area routes may have to be adjusted. However pickup and drop off locations should not be affected.

For additional information, please call DART's customer service line at 515-283-8100.

Parking is available on the Iowa State Fairgrounds for $10 until the lots are full. Neighborhood families are always eager to make money by having Iowa State Fair visitors park on their lawns. Because it is so wet in Des Moines this year, each day could be different. All vehicles must be removed by 1 a.m. curfew from the fairgrounds.

Parking for visitors with disabilities is located in the North Lot of the Fairgrounds with admission through Gate 2 at East 33rd and E University Avenue. A limited number of spaces are also located on the inner grounds and are accessible through Gate 10 at E 30th and Walnut. Vehicles must carry a DOT parking permit or license plate distinguishing a disabled drive or passenger.

Bikes may park inside Gate 10 for $2.

This information was pulled from The Des Moines Register and other fair web sites. Some places say DART ID required. Call ahead if you have questions or visit the DART site at www.ridedart.com if you have questions regarding riding the bus to the fairgrounds.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Lines may be long, so just be patient and you will have a fun day at the fair.