Events and Activities : Half-off Park & Ride Shuttle Offers State Fairgoers Value, Convenience

New in 2011, Fairgoers can enjoy special half price savings and extended hours for DART Park & Ride shuttles to the Iowa State Fair. Park for free at any of the three Park and Ride locations and catch the bus for a quick and easy direct trip to the Fair. "Nothing Compares" to saving time and money with DART Park & Ride. The Iowa State Fair is set August 11-21.

Receive 50 percent off Park & Ride roundtrip fare by showing an advance Fair admission ticket. Discounted roundtrip prices are $1 for adults and 50 cents for children ages 6-10, seniors (65+) and people with a disability. Children 5 and younger ride for free. Regular roundtrip fares are $2 for adults and $1 for children, seniors and people with a disability. Cash only; exact fare required. Catch the #1 Fairgrounds Route at any of the Park & Ride locations to receive your discount.

Park & Ride offers three convenient locations where Fairgoers can park for free:

• Center Street Park & Ride (7th and Center St., enter on 7th St.)

• Southeast Polk Schools (N.E. 80th St. and Highway 163)

• State Capitol (East 12th and Grand Ave.)

Extended hours for 2011 will offer service at all locations from 8:30 a.m. to Midnight every day of the Fair.

New this year, shuttles from Southeast Polk Schools will drop off and pick up Fairgoers on Dean Avenue south of the Swine Barn. Shuttles from the Center Street Park & Ride and the State Capitol will continue to drop off and pick up Fairgoers near Gate 10.

Most buses are wheelchair-accessible. For more information, call DART at 515.283.8100 or go online to ridedart.com or iowastatefair.org.

Fair advance admission tickets are on sale through August 10 while supplies last at participating Hy-Vee, Hy-Vee Drugstores, Dahl's Food, Fareway stores and the State Fair Ticket Office, located on the Fairgrounds. Or purchase your tickets online at iowastatefair.org and print them at home, fee free.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2011 Iowa State Fair, celebrating 100 years of the Butter Cow August 11-21. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.