Iowa’s annual music event Butter Cow Festival to be held in August, with safety regulations in place

The novel coronavirus has halted many of the usual events across Iowa, including the Iowa State Fair, that help draw tourism and income during summer. But not all of Iowa’s traditional events have been nixed: Des Moines’ Butter Cow Festival is still a go, according to a report by Des Moines Register.

During what would have been the first weekend of the fair, attendees can enjoy live music from local bands, food vendors, and breweries from 4:30-11 pm on August 14 and 15 at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park.

The band line-up on August 14 will include Richard Arndt, Jason Brown and The Purple Xperience. On August 15, Iowans can hear Tony Bohnenkamp, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Pie in the Sky and B2wins.

“The Iowa State Fair is an economic driver of so many businesses and is part of the fabric of our community. We see this as a way to celebrate some of the elements we love about the State Fair and support small businesses,” event organizer Scott Carlson said.

“The Butter Cow Festival will support local vendors who rely on festivals and events for income, bands who have not had the opportunity to perform in recent months, and people who are eager to safely enjoy a summer festival,” he added. 

The festival also will be a boost for local sound engineers, promoters, security staff, stagehands and behind-the-scenes staff who have not been able to work since the beginning of the pandemic. 

A portion of the sales will go to the Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation and the State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation, the Des Moines Register said.

Everyone in attendance will be required to wear masks — including staff and volunteers. Ticket prices range from $75-$250 per square.