DES MOINES, Iowa ( KIWA Radio ) - A new study found that the year-round activities on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in 2024 had a $629 million statewide economic impact.

KIWA reports that the 11-day stretch of the state fair itself accounted for $480 million of the year’s economic impact. Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons compared that number to other big events across the country this year including:

Kentucky Derby: $405 million

NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four: $440 million

The $480 million for the 2024 fair does not include how much vendors made selling food, drinks and other items, which would significantly boost the overall figure.

According to KIWA Radio, nearly 700,000 out-of-town visitors came through the gates for the 2024 Iowa State Fair. That created demand for tens of thou

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