DES MOINES -- Storms and flooding battered the state earlier this year, and Iowans may be ready for a little fun.

This year's Iowa State Fair may be just the needed outlet.

Spokeswoman Lori Chappell said fair officials, however, have not set expectations for attendance because severe weather affected so many people across the Midwest.

"Ultimately, we're just hoping that everyone that does show up has a great time," she said.

Knowing many families are watching their budgets, the fair is giving visitors a break some days. The 11-day event opens Thursday with free admission from 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Fair-goers that morning can head to the grandstand to help set a world record for the most people simultaneously eating a corn dog.

On Friday, visitors will pay a reduced admission of $8. And on evenings from Monday through Thursday and the final Sunday of the fair, the regular admission price is slashed in half. Regular gate admission for an adult is $10. Children 6 to 11 years old pay $4.

For details on other admission packages, go online at www.iowastatefair.com.

"We're a pretty affordable entertainment option," Chappell said.

It's always free once inside the gates to see the butter cow, which will be joined this year by sculptures of Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson. Other famous Iowans -- Etta May Budd, George Washington Carver, Henry Wallace and Norman Borlaug " will also be immortalized in butter.

The Paul Knapp Animal Learning Center, a virtual maternity ward for farm animals that debuted last year, will be back with even more babies. The center will hatch ostrich and duckling eggs in addition to chicks visitors saw last year.

Visitors can see live births of calves, piglets, goats and sheep, and a mare and foal will likely be on display.

The center will also feature a vet camp for children to learn about animal health and what it's like to be a veterinarian. Veterinarians will perform spay and neuter surgeries at the site each day.

In keeping with the state fair tradition of food on a stick, the new featured food this year is battered and deep-fried pineapple on a stick. Mini cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting are another item new in 2008, and crawfish etouffe and a London broil steak sandwich also join the fair menu.

"Once you get in the gate, you could spend your day eating your way through the fair, or you could spend your day sampling and picking up freebies and have a relatively inexpensive day," Chappell said.

Grandstand acts include metal band Def Leppard. Vanessa Hudgens and Corbin Bleu of "High School Musical" fame will also perform.

Besides the grandstand acts, the fair will have $400,000 in free entertainment. One of those shows is the Extreme Canines stunt dogs with performances daily. All of the dogs in the show were adopted from pounds and shelters.

Bob the Builder, a children's favorite, will perform daily at the Hy-Vee Fun Forest Stage.

The Iowa State Fair, a frequent campaign stop, will again serve as a setting for politicking. The fair may host Republican presidential candidate John McCain, and several Iowa congressional candidates will deliver stump speeches along the Grand Concourse.

Contact Charlotte Eby

at (515) 243-0138

or chareby@aol.com.