The Livestock Pavilion was originally constructed in 1902. The first masonry building on the Fairgrounds, the pavilion was originally ventilated by a complex fan system that forced in fresh, warm air and drew out foul air at the same time.
One hundred and one years later, renovations to the dilapidated building were completed in time for the 2003 Iowa State Fair thanks to an $800,000 donation by Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino. The building’s enormous three-tiered roof was also repaired and the inside is now climate-controlled. During the Fair, the pavilion hosts livestock judging, horse shows, and the Governor’s Charity Steer Auction.
The 2020 T.A.G. Team donations combined with a $30,000 grant from Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino supported the remodel of the east Livestock Pavilion restrooms. The updates included new plumbing, tiling the walls, installing metallic epoxy flooring, replacing the toilet partitions, adding solid surface sinks, new counters and improving the electrical fixtures. The updates brought the restroom facility into the 21st century, providing a better service to our customers and making cleaning them more efficient for our maintenance crews.
Gallery
