Hypnotist to End State Fair Magic in 2028

Hypnotist Ron Diamond, a familiar face at the Iowa State Fair for 18 years, will be retiring from performing at state fairs in 2028. Diamond, who has spent nearly four decades in the entertainment side of hypnosis, performs around 450 shows per year. He described the decision as a move away from the strenuous demands of continuous travel and setup associated with large annual events.

Diamond, who is 69, began his hypnosis career after working at Walt Disney World and pursuing clinical psychology. He clarified that hypnosis is a natural state of mind, and a hypnotist's role is to help individuals access it. He noted that while stage shows involve performance, the underlying state is accessible to most people, particularly extroverts who are less inhibited.

The hypnotist explained that to ensure a successful performance, he requires at least 14 volunteers. He also shared his perspective that the entertainment aspect of hypnosis is something he prefers over one-on-one clinical work. Diamond's final Iowa State Fair performance is scheduled for 2028, marking the end of an era.