About Us

The BUD TENT is a family owned and operated food and beverage concession business located on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, IA. 

Grandpa Doc Cunningham established the BUD TENT in 1947, finding a way to bring ice cold beer to the fairgrounds.  The first location was a tent located in the park near the Varied Industries Building.  Today we are proudly serving you from our current location which has been the home of the BUD TENT since 1978. The BUD TENT has been in operation for three generations and remains one of the longest running family owned concession businesses at the Iowa State Fair.

The BUD TENT has become a familiar and premier entertainment destination for thousands of anuual fair-goers from across the state and from across the nation.  Occassionally we have been known to host some pretty famous musical entertainers and state and national politicians.