Midway rides at the IA State Fair

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The Iowa State Fair is spending more money to draw Omaha customers than the Nebraska State Fair as organizers continue their efforts to attract more Omaha-area fairgoers. The Iowa State Fair is spending $125,000 to advertise in Omaha this year, which represents about 20 percent of its total advertising and production budget. Iowa’s campaign includes print and broadcast advertising, seven Omaha billboards and another in Council Bluffs. Officials say their efforts, which began in 2010, are paying off.

Iowa fair marketing director Lori Chappell says roughly 15 percent of Iowa fairgoers came from the Omaha area last year. The Iowa State Fair kicks off today (Thursday) and runs through Aug.21st.