It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Fried Milky Ways: Iowa State Fair's Free Music Lineup Announced

The Iowa State Fair is a fun time even without the musical acts, but if you like some of the performers they get each year, even better. This year I must say I am excited that I could potentially indulge in my childhood nostalgia for Boys II Men and my celebrity crush on Dia Frampton, all while enjoying ridiculous food skewered on a stick. And, of course the Cedar Valley's own Blue Band is always a great show.

In fact, I'm looking forward to this even more than their Grandstand Lineup. Although Journey might be fun to see with Pat Benatar. Full schedules for both listed below.

Who are you excited to see? Let us know in comments.

AndersonErickson Dairy Stage sponsored by KCCI NewsChannel 8

August 9-10         The Nadas (7 & 9 p.m.)

August 11            Brother Trucker (7 & 9 p.m.)

August 12-13       Handsome Little Devils (7 & 9 p.m.)

August 14            Brett Eldredge (8 p.m.)

August 15            Dia Frampton (8 p.m.)

August 16            Glen Templeton (8 p.m.)

August 17-18       The Blue Band (7 & 9 p.m.)

August 19            Here Come the Mummies (7:30 p.m.)

Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi

August 9              JJ Grey and Mofro (8 p.m.)

August 10            Action Item (8 p.m.)

August 11            Iowa State Fair Queen Coronation (7 p.m.)

August 12            The Afters (8 p.m.)

August 13-17       Hypnotist Ron Diamond (7 & 9 p.m.)

August 18            The Downtown Fiction (8 p.m.)

August 19            Street Corner Symphony (7 p.m.)

Budweiser Stage sponsored by ABC5

August 9-10         Bob Wootton (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)

August 11-12       Elvis Impersonator Travis LeDoyt (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)

August 13-14       Restless Heart (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)

August 15-16       Strawberry Fields (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)

August 17-18       Dave Mason Duo (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)

August 19            WAR (8 p.m.)

Susan Knapp Amphitheater with media sponsor KDSM FOX 17

August 9              Steve Holy (8 p.m.)

August 10            Mockingbird Sun (8 p.m.)

August 11            Will Hoge (8 p.m.)

August 12            Blackberry Smoke (8 p.m.)

August 13-14       Hairball (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)

August 15            Hunter Hayes (8 p.m.)

August 16            Country Gold featuring Leroy Van Dyke, Narvel Felts, Rex Allen Jr. and

                             The Quebe Sisters (6 & 8:30 p.m.)

August 17            Marlee Scott (8 p.m.)

August 18            JT Hodges (8 p.m.)

August 19            Boyz II Men (7 p.m.)

Fun Forest Stage sponsored by Community Choice Credit Union

(All shows ASL interpreted)

August 9-19         Babaloo (11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m.)

August 9-19         Matt’s Family Jam (11:30 a.m., 1:30 & 3:30 p.m.)

August 9-19         VSA Iowa Presents (various artists) (Noon, 2 & 4 p.m.)

Grandstand Lineup

presented by U.S.Cellular

Thursday, August 9 
TobyMac with special guests Tenth Avenue North and Jamie Grace, 8 p.m., $32

Friday, August 10                      
Happy Together Tour 2012 starring The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, The Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz, Gary Puckett & TheUnion Gap, The Grass Roots and The Buckinghams, 8 p.m., $25

Saturday, August 11                   
Larry the Cable Guy with special guest Reno Collier, 8 p.m. $35

Sunday, August 12                      
An Evening with Miranda Lambert, 8 p.m., $48

Monday, August 13                     
Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models, 5:30 p.m. Hot Laps, 6 p.m. Races, $15 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Tuesday, August 14                    
The Band Perry with special guest Easton Corbin, 8 p.m., $35

Wednesday, August 15               
Grand Outlaw National Tractor and Truck Pull, 2 p.m., $20 Adults, $10 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Thursday, August 16                   
An Evening with Big Time Rush, 7 p.m., $38

Friday, August 17                        
Hank Williams Jr. “Taking Back the Country Tour” with special guest George Thorogood and the Destroyers, 8 p.m., $39

Saturday, August 18                    
Demolition Derby, 11:30 a.m., $12 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Saturday, August 18                    
Journey with Pat Benatar and Loverboy, 8 p.m., $48

Sunday, August 19                      
Rascal Flatts with Little Big Town, Eli Young Band and Edens Edge, 7 p.m., $59