What to Do at the Iowa State Fair When It Rains

[Charity Nebbe] Many of the most enthusiastic fairgoers love to come out on opening day of the fair. We anticipate, we plan, but the weather doesn't always cooperate. So what do you do at the fair when the heavens open up?

Do you have a backup plan for the rain, or are you just winging it?

[Audrey Reed] We are just winging it. Trying to find shelters on the way when the rain hits hard.

[Charity] Has the rain changed your plans at all?

[Anna Hancock] No, I just need to get a new pair of shoes now.

[Charity] You have several more hours before you're gonna have access to a new pair of shoes. How are you feeling about that?

[Anna] I might take them off soon. I don't know.

[Charity] My eye was caught by your distinctive poncho. Some people here, a lot of people here today don't look like they were prepared for the rain. You look like you were planning ahead. Tell me about this poncho.

[Kyle Phillips] Well, I took the day off today, so we had to come today. I feel like it's raining today because we're here, because I think this is the 3rd or 4th year in a row that we've come to the fair and it's rained. So these ponchos are getting a good workout.

[Charity] How do you feel about how much it's been raining?

[Isla Fancher] Um, I kind of like it.

[Charity] Do you?

[Isla] Yeah.

[Charity] What do you like about it?

[Isla] I just like that I get to, like, jump up and I can jump in the puddles and stuff.

[Charity] Rides in the rain, that's a little bit tricky. Have you had to change your plans a little bit?

[Ivy Jackson] Yeah.

[Charity] Yeah? What do you think you'll do instead?

[Ivy] I don't know.

[Jeremy Parsons] As you can even see today, Iowans love their fair. Whether it's rainy, whether it's hot, always plenty to do here at the Iowa State Fair.

[Charity] I noticed you're not wearing a poncho.

[Jeremy] No, I'm not. This is, you know, when they say like when you put your snow shovel away, you know, then there's always a blizzard. So I'm not going to wear a raincoat. Because, right, that should work.

[Charity] I'm sure. I'm sure it'll work.

[Jeremy] The fair is Iowa. And, you know, what do they say? Give it 24 hours and it could change. And it'll be a beautiful day out here. A little breeze will help dry things out. But again, plenty of sidewalks, plenty of hard surface roads, plenty of buildings. You won't drown, that's for sure.

[Charity] Ben, morning is prime time for mini donuts. A lot of people plan on having mini donuts for breakfast. With the rain this morning, did you see fewer customers?

[Ben Wondra] I mean, definitely people stay away, obviously. Obviously, you don't want to be out in a thunderstorm. So for safety reasons, it's probably best that they delayed and came out a little bit later today.

[Charity] Can eating mini donuts keep you dry?

[Ben] It hasn't been proven, but I think so.

[Charity] When you saw that it was going to rain and rain hard this morning, did you have second thoughts about coming to the fair?

[Mark Kay] Oh, for a little bit, but it's like, nah, let's go.

[Charity] And how have your plans changed?

[Mark] Not a bit.

[Charity] Not a bit. You were planning to sit here all morning and watch the world go by?

[Mark] Yes. Yes. For a while anyway. Yeah.

[Anna Kay] I would have this over the 95 degree and no wind, you know? So this is nice.

[Charity] Did you have to buy your poncho special?

[Aaron Kay] Anna had them ready to go.

[Charity] Nice.

[Aaron] We were prepared.

[Charity] What else is on the agenda today?

[Mark] Oh geez, who knows? Probably look at the animals, find another spot to sit at, and just take it easy. Eat some food, drink some more beer.