SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A new law that prevented Iowa schools from starting before Aug. 23 helped boost crowds at the State Fair and other attractions this month. Attendance at the Iowa State Fair in mid-August hit an all-time high of 1,117,398. The Sioux City Journal reports the August crowds at Arnolds Park Amusement Park appeared larger this year.

Myles Kass owns a seasonal restaurant at Arnolds Park, and he said his August sales numbers were higher than in recent years. Many Iowa school districts started on Aug. 24. Last year, only 14 of 338 Iowa districts started after Aug. 23. Mark Sanders says the later school start helped him keep a promise to take his daughter and two friends to Arnolds Park earlier this month.