(Des Moines, IA) -- The just-concluded Iowa State Fair was a big one. More than 1.1 million people attended this year's Iowa State Fair, 15-thousand more than last year. The official number, 1,133,958 was the second-largest Fair in the its 169-year history.
Fair officials are releasing other fun facts from the 2023 State Fair:
More than 112-thousand people went to Grandstand shows this year.
There were more than 200 food booths, which used more than 500-tons of ice.
There were eight records set in the 4-H and FFA Sale of Champions, including the all-time record for all species. The Grand Champion FFA Market Hog exhibited by Delaney Runner from Gilman sold for $150,000. Proceeds from the Sale of Champions benefit the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement scholarship fund. \
Other livestock highlights include 14,058 hogs entered in the 4-H swine show, 16 Supreme Six-Horse-Hitch competitors and 24 sponsored steers in the Iowa Governor's Charity Steer Show. Plus, a 10-year-old showed the Reserve Grand Champion Biggest Boar, 16 buddies and Special Olympians participated in the Bacon Buddies Swine Show and a 71-year-old showman returned to the ring after a 56-year hiatus.
During the 11-day Fair, a record 20,850 cases of bottled water were sold. Those bottled water sales booths, as well as the Blue Ribbon Foundation merchandise locations, were staffed by a record 668 volunteers.
The Woodcarver's Auction on the last day auctioned off the work of the chainsaw artists during the Fair. Proceeds from the auction benefited the Blue Ribbon Foundation Endowment and raised $66,609 for improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Exhibitors this year entered 614 quilts in the Fabrics and Threads Department, 46 Lego creations in the Creative Arts and Crafts Department and a record 59 doll house and miniature room entries. More than 700 Fairgoers also participated in the Fair's contests including mom calling, whistling, timber sports, youth spelling bee, and many others. Elle Clark from Humboldt was named champion of the 63rd Annual Bill Riley Talent Search.
The 2024 Iowa State Fair is August 8-18, 2024.