By: Joe Lancello

The Iowa State Fair set a new attendance record, as pleasant weather gave a boost to the usual attractions of food, animals, carnival rides and performances.  Fair officials say that an unofficial 1,170,375 people visited the fair during its 11-day run in Des Moines. That topped the previous record, set last year, by about 40,000 people.  The busiest day was Saturday, Aug. 10, when 122,111 visited the fair.  Attendance exceeded 100,000 on nine of the fair’s 11 days.