Would the DM show be worth going to in June? I have gone to the CR show before so I'm not sure how big DM is compared to CR.

Definitely.  Go to the fairgrounds event though.  Never cared for the one at the amusement park.

What are the dates for the Des Moines show?

June 23rd - 25th.

I've always been amazed that the fairgrounds show you can walk around buying and selling guns all day, but it's illegal to carry because it's at the fairgrounds.

I will never understand why people continue to believe this...

"The carrying or possession by any person other than a peace officer of any weapon, such as a dirk, dagger, hunting knife, buck knife, switch blade, or any knife with
a blade of three inches in length or longer, pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, pellet or BB gun, blackjack, billy club or any other weapon is prohibited on the fairgrounds unless authorized by the board. Failure to comply with this rule shall be cause for expulsion from the fairgrounds or being charged under Iowa Code chapter 724"

you will be kicked out and/or charged under iowa code chapter 724

sooooo, lets look at iowa code chapter 724, particularly the part about carrying weapons

"1.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person who goes armed with a dangerous weapon concealed on or about the person, or who, within the limits of any city, goes armed with a pistol or revolver, or any loaded firearm of any kind, whether concealed or not, or who knowingly carries or transports in a vehicle a pistol or revolver, commits an aggravated misdemeanor.

2.  A person who goes armed with a knife concealed on or about the person, if the person uses the knife in the commission of a crime, commits an aggravated misdemeanor.

3.  A person who goes armed with a knife concealed on or about the person, if the person does not use the knife in the commission of a crime:

a.  If the knife has a blade exceeding eight inches in length, commits an aggravated misdemeanor.

b.  If the knife has a blade exceeding five inches but not exceeding eight inches in length, commits a serious misdemeanor.

4.  Subsections 1 through 3 do not apply to any of the following:

a.  A person who goes armed with a dangerous weapon in the person's own dwelling or place of business, or on land owned or possessed by the person.

b.  A peace officer, when the officer's duties require the person to carry such weapons.

c.  A member of the armed forces of the United States or of the national guard or person in the service of the United States, when the weapons are carried in connection with the person's duties as such.

d.  A correctional officer, when the officer's duties require, serving under the authority of the Iowa department of corrections.

e.  A person who for any lawful purpose carries an unloaded pistol, revolver, or other dangerous weapon inside a closed and fastened container or securely wrapped package which is too large to be concealed on the person.

f.  A person who for any lawful purpose carries or transports an unloaded pistol or revolver in a vehicle inside a closed and fastened container or securely wrapped package which is too large to be concealed on the person or inside a cargo or luggage compartment where the pistol or revolver will not be readily accessible to any person riding in the vehicle or common carrier.

g.  A person while the person is lawfully engaged in target practice on a range designed for that purpose or while actually engaged in lawful hunting.

h.  A person who carries a knife used in hunting or fishing, while actually engaged in lawful hunting or fishing.

i.  A person who has in the person's possession and who displays to a peace officer on demand a valid permit to carry weapons which has been issued to the person, and whose conduct is within the limits of that permit. A person shall not be convicted of a violation of this section if the person produces at the person's trial a permit to carry weapons which was valid at the time of the alleged offense and which would have brought the person's conduct within this exception if the permit had been produced at the time of the alleged offense.

j.  A law enforcement officer from another state when the officer's duties require the officer to carry the weapon and the officer is in this state for any of the following reasons:

(1)  The extradition or other lawful removal of a prisoner from this state.

(2)  Pursuit of a suspect in compliance with chapter 806.

(3)  Activities in the capacity of a law enforcement officer with the knowledge and consent of the chief of police of the city or the sheriff of the county in which the activities occur or of the commissioner of public safety.

k.  A person engaged in the business of transporting prisoners under a contract with the Iowa department of corrections or a county sheriff, a similar agency from another state, or the federal government. "




in other words, oh noooooooo! you could get kicked out and have to leave.  
Even the media buys this BS that it's illegal

As a body of the state government, the State Fair has used delegated administrative authority:

371—2.5(173) Public safety—weapons. The carrying or possession by any person other than a peace officer of any weapon, such as a dirk, dagger, hunting knife, buck knife, switch blade, or any knife with a blade of three inches in length or longer, pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, pellet or BB gun, blackjack, billy club or any other weapon is prohibited on the fairgrounds unless authorized by the board. Failure to comply with this rule shall be cause for expulsion from the fairgrounds or being charged under Iowa Code chapter 724. Kitchen knives and others purchased at the fair must be wrapped and not concealed.
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/06-07-2017.371.2.pdf

Let's clarify that misdemeanor trespassing charges could still apply for future fairgrounds events, I see nothing that keeps the Fair Board from permanently banning people.

A few years ago, some goober had his Glock hanging out while walking through the State Fair Grounds art show (held at the same time as the gun show). I doubt he ended up in jail, but please be a bit more discreet. A Democratic majority in both legislative houses is only a matter of time.

The act of being there with a gun is not trespassing.  Declining an invitation to leave is.

Thank you. It appears I had it interpreted it incorrectly. I appreciate the clarification.