The Iowa State Fair is celebrating a milestone this year. The event landed a permanent home in Des Moines 125 years ago. While the first Fair was held in 1854, it wasn’t until 1884 the Legislature purchased a large parcel of land on the east side of Des Moines for $50,000 on condition that the city of Des Moines match the money for improvements to the site. The new fairgrounds site was dedicated on September 7, 1886, with addresses by Governor Larrabee and other notables. Iowa was the second state in the northwest section of the country to acquire a permanent home for its annual fair. Millions of visitors have enjoyed corn dogs, animals, rides, and everything else that makes a great state fair ever since.