What to do and see on Day 8 Thursday at the 2022 Iowa State Fair

The 2022 Iowa State Fair runs 11 days, from Thursday, Aug. 11, through Sunday, Aug. 21. Des Moines Register staffers put together this daily guide to help you enjoy your time at the 2022 Iowa State Fair.

Here are our recommendations for Thursday, Aug. 18.

Bubble blowing, pie eating contests take center stage

All ages are invited to compete in the bubble gum blowing and pie eating contests, 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. respectively on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage. And if you'd prefer to avoid the sticky mess, watching from the bleachers is just as fun.

More: Twitter has jokes about the rain on Alanis Morissette's concert day at the Iowa State Fair

It's time to get a bucket of cookies

Fun fact: Barksdale's State Fair Cookies made about 2.4 million chocolate chip cookies in 2021. Get your own at one of the four stands around the fairgrounds, where you can order by the bucket, each of which holds about 60 cookies, or cup (12 cookies). The cookie stand, which Joe Barksdale launched in 1993 using his paternal grandmother's recipe, is now operated by the fair.

Who's performing on Day 8 of the State Fair?

See a free show: British new wave group Wang Chung, which got its start in 1980 in London, will play hits like “Dance Hall Days,” “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” and “Let’s Go" starting at 8 p.m. at the Susan Knapp Amphitheater.

Who's on the Grandstand?: Kane Brown with special guest Jessie James Decker, 8 p.m.

More: Iowa Governor's State Fair steer show raises over $440,000 for Ronald McDonald House

Who’s at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox?

• No Soapbox speeches on Thursday

What should I know if I go?

Regular gate admission: $14 for ages 12 and up, $8 for ages 6-11, free for children 5 and under. $10 admission for fairgoers ages 60 and older. Discounted admission from 5 to 10 p.m. on Monday through Thursday evenings: $10 adult admission; $6 child admission.

Hours: Fairgrounds, 8 a.m. to midnight. Buildings, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thrill Ville and Thrill Zone, 10 a.m. to midnight. Thrill Town, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Weather forecast: Sunny early with a high of 86 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. There's also a chance of showers before 1 and 4 p.m., then thunderstorms after 4.

From the archives: The Iowa State Fair is home to Iowa's biggest pumpkins. Here's how to grow the giant gourds.

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Hours: Fairgrounds, 8 a.m. to midnight. Buildings, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thrill Ville and Thrill Zone, 10 a.m. to midnight. Thrill Town, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Weather forecast: Sunny with a high of 82, according to the National Weather Service.

From the archives: This sleepy boy and his heifer at the Iowa State Fair won over the internet

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More Iowa State Fair News

• Grab a drink at the Iowa State Fair with one of these 177 craft beers and more

• 5 new things at Iowa State Fair 2022, including a world record attempt and fresh events

• These 2022 kid-friendly Iowa State Fair activities provide fun for the whole family

• What are the top-selling musical performances at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand so far?

Check out the latest Iowa State Fair content at The Des Moines Register. Follow us on Twitter @DMRegister and Facebook @DesMoinesRegister.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Your Iowa State Fair 2022 Day 8 guide: Bucket of cookies, Kane Brown