Des Moines, Iowa (CNN) There are a few golden rules when it comes to campaigning in Iowa: never arrive by helicopter, leave your entourage at home and don't skip the Des Moines Register soapbox, even if you have to brave hecklers.

But the normal rules of politics don't apply to Donald Trump, who broke all of them during his visit to the Iowa State Fair on Saturday.

Trump made a grand entrance by touching down in a $7 million helicopter. He was thronged by supporters as he walked the fairgrounds and eschewed the soapbox -- where Iowans are encouraged to shout questions to candidates -- in favor of often random interactions with voters.

Trump is joined by his family as he is sworn in as President on January 20.

Trump is joined by his family as he is sworn in as President on January 20.

Trump walks on stage with his family after he was declared the election winner on November 9. "Ours was not a campaign, but rather, an incredible and great movement," he told his supporters in New York.

Trump walks on stage with his family after he was declared the election winner on November 9. "Ours was not a campaign, but rather, an incredible and great movement," he told his supporters in New York.

Trump apologizes in a video, posted to his Twitter account in October, for vulgar and sexually aggressive remarks he made a decade ago regarding women. "I said it, I was wrong and I apologize," Trump said, referring to lewd comments he made during a previously unaired taping of "Access Hollywood." Multiple Republican leaders rescinded their endorsements of Trump after the footage was released.

Trump faces Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the first presidential debate, which took place in Hempstead, New York, in September.

Trump delivers a speech at the Republican National Convention in July, accepting the party's nomination for President. "I have had a truly great life in business," he said. "But now, my sole and exclusive mission is to go to work for our country -- to go to work for you. It's time to deliver a victory for the American people."

Trump delivers a speech at the Republican National Convention in July, accepting the party's nomination for President. "I have had a truly great life in business," he said. "But now, my sole and exclusive mission is to go to work for our country -- to go to work for you. It's time to deliver a victory for the American people."

Trump speaks during a campaign event in Evansville, Indiana, on April 28. After Trump won the Indiana primary, his last two competitors dropped out of the GOP race.

Trump speaks during a campaign event in Evansville, Indiana, on April 28. After Trump won the Indiana primary, his last two competitors dropped out of the GOP race.

Trump -- flanked by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, left, and Ted Cruz -- speaks during a CNN debate in Miami on March 10. Trump dominated the GOP primaries and emerged as the presumptive nominee in May.

Trump -- flanked by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, left, and Ted Cruz -- speaks during a CNN debate in Miami on March 10. Trump dominated the GOP primaries and emerged as the presumptive nominee in May.

Trump speaks in Sarasota, Florida, after accepting the Statesman of the Year Award at the Sarasota GOP dinner in August 2012. It was shortly before the Republican National Convention in nearby Tampa.

Trump speaks in Sarasota, Florida, after accepting the Statesman of the Year Award at the Sarasota GOP dinner in August 2012. It was shortly before the Republican National Convention in nearby Tampa.

Trump poses with Miss Universe contestants in 2011. Trump had been executive producer of the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants since 1996.

Trump poses with Miss Universe contestants in 2011. Trump had been executive producer of the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants since 1996.

Trump appears on the set of "The Celebrity Apprentice" with two of his children -- Donald Jr. and Ivanka -- in 2009.

Trump appears on the set of "The Celebrity Apprentice" with two of his children -- Donald Jr. and Ivanka -- in 2009.

For "The Apprentice," Trump was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 2007.

For "The Apprentice," Trump was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 2007.

Trump wrestles with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at WrestleMania in 2007. Trump has close ties with the WWE and its CEO, Vince McMahon.

Trump wrestles with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at WrestleMania in 2007. Trump has close ties with the WWE and its CEO, Vince McMahon.

Trump attends the U.S. Open tennis tournament with his third wife, Melania Knauss-Trump, and their son, Barron, in 2006. Trump and Knauss married in 2005.

Trump attends the U.S. Open tennis tournament with his third wife, Melania Knauss-Trump, and their son, Barron, in 2006. Trump and Knauss married in 2005.

Trump attends a news conference in 2005 that announced the establishment of Trump University. From 2005 until it closed in 2010, Trump University had about 10,000 people sign up for a program that promised success in real estate. Three separate lawsuits -- two class-action suits filed in California and one filed by New York's attorney general -- argued that the program was mired in fraud and deception. Trump's camp rejected the suits' claims as "baseless." And Trump has charged that the New York case against him is politically motivated.

A 12-inch talking Trump doll is on display at a toy store in New York in September 2004.

A 12-inch talking Trump doll is on display at a toy store in New York in September 2004.

An advertisement for the television show "The Apprentice" hangs at Trump Tower in 2004. The show launched in January of that year. In January 2008, the show returned as "Celebrity Apprentice."

An advertisement for the television show "The Apprentice" hangs at Trump Tower in 2004. The show launched in January of that year. In January 2008, the show returned as "Celebrity Apprentice."

Trump dips his second wife, Marla Maples, after the couple married in a private ceremony in New York in December 1993. The couple divorced in 1999 and had one daughter together, Tiffany.

Trump dips his second wife, Marla Maples, after the couple married in a private ceremony in New York in December 1993. The couple divorced in 1999 and had one daughter together, Tiffany.

Trump and singer Michael Jackson pose for a photo before traveling to visit Ryan White, a young child with AIDS, in 1990.

Trump and singer Michael Jackson pose for a photo before traveling to visit Ryan White, a young child with AIDS, in 1990.

Trump signs his second book, "Trump: Surviving at the Top," in 1990. Trump has published at least 16 other books, including "The Art of the Deal" and "The America We Deserve."

Trump attends the opening of his new Atlantic City casino, the Taj Mahal, in 1989.

Trump attends the opening of his new Atlantic City casino, the Taj Mahal, in 1989.

Trump uses his personal helicopter to get around New York in 1987.

Trump uses his personal helicopter to get around New York in 1987.

Trump was married to Ivana Zelnicek Trump from 1977 to 1990, when they divorced. They had three children together: Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric.

Trump was married to Ivana Zelnicek Trump from 1977 to 1990, when they divorced. They had three children together: Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric.

Trump attends an event to mark the start of construction of the New York Convention Center in 1979.

Trump attends an event to mark the start of construction of the New York Convention Center in 1979.

Trump stands with Alfred Eisenpreis, New York's economic development administrator, in 1976 while they look at a sketch of a new 1,400-room renovation project of the Commodore Hotel. After graduating college in 1968, Trump worked with his father on developments in Queens and Brooklyn before purchasing or building multiple properties in New York and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Those properties included Trump Tower in New York and Trump Plaza and multiple casinos in Atlantic City.

Trump stands with Alfred Eisenpreis, New York's economic development administrator, in 1976 while they look at a sketch of a new 1,400-room renovation project of the Commodore Hotel. After graduating college in 1968, Trump worked with his father on developments in Queens and Brooklyn before purchasing or building multiple properties in New York and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Those properties included Trump Tower in New York and Trump Plaza and multiple casinos in Atlantic City.

Trump, center, wears a baseball uniform at the New York Military Academy in 1964. After he graduated from the boarding school, he went to college. He started at Fordham University before transferring and later graduating from the Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania's business school.

Trump, center, wears a baseball uniform at the New York Military Academy in 1964. After he graduated from the boarding school, he went to college. He started at Fordham University before transferring and later graduating from the Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania's business school.

Trump, center, stands at attention during his senior year at the New York Military Academy in 1964.

Trump, center, stands at attention during his senior year at the New York Military Academy in 1964.

Trump, left, in a family photo. He was the second-youngest of five children.

Trump, left, in a family photo. He was the second-youngest of five children.

Trump at age 4. He was born in 1946 to Fred and Mary Trump in New York City. His father was a real estate developer.

Trump at age 4. He was born in 1946 to Fred and Mary Trump in New York City. His father was a real estate developer.

President-elect Donald Trump has been in the spotlight for years. From developing real estate and producing and starring in TV shows, he became a celebrity long before winning the White House.

President-elect Donald Trump has been in the spotlight for years. From developing real estate and producing and starring in TV shows, he became a celebrity long before winning the White House.

The day provided the latest illustration of how Trump, the GOP presidential frontrunner, is upending the race by ignoring conventional wisdom and running his campaign exactly how he wants to. The strategy stood in sharp contrast to Hillary Clinton, who lost the caucuses here in 2008 after she also broke some of this state's cherished rules.

She took fewer risks on Saturday.

After she was criticized for hiring a helicopter to travel the state in 2008, she arrived at the fairground before Trump in an SUV. Clinton was squired through the fair by Tom Harkin, the state's former senator who is popular among the liberals that she is struggling to attract to her campaign. Standing in front of a barn in a blue and white checked jacket, she parried questions from the press about her handling of her private email server as secretary of state, before taking pictures with fairgoers in front of the famed butter cow and dutifully waiting in line for pork chop on a stick.

Moments after she was whisked away, lemonade in hand, by the Secret Service, Trump touched down in in a nearby parking lot. Before following through on his promise to give helicopter rides to children, he told reporters he'd be willing to spend as much as $1 billion of his own money to fund his campaign.

Ripples of excitement

Clinton, too, was encircled by a media horde and mobbed by fans. But it was Trump who sent ripples of excitement through the crowds that meandered through the fair, sampling turkey legs, bacon-wrapped ribs and red velvet funnel cake, dusted with powdered sugar.

Photos: Who's running for president? Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, John Kasich, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, Hide Caption 1 of 6 Photos: Who's running for president?



"So, ladies and gentlemen, I am officially running for president of the United States, and we are going to make our country great again," Trump told the crowd at his announcement. Businessman Donald Trump announced June 16 at his Trump Tower in New York City that he is seeking the Republican presidential nomination. This ends more than two decades of flirting with the idea of running for the White House."So, ladies and gentlemen, I am officially running for president of the United States, and we are going to make our country great again," Trump told the crowd at his announcement. Hide Caption 2 of 6 Photos: Who's running for president?



"These are all of our stories," Cruz told the audience at Liberty University in Virginia. "These are who we are as Americans. And yet for so many Americans, the promise of America seems more and more distant." Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has made a name for himself in the Senate, solidifying his brand as a conservative firebrand willing to take on the GOP's establishment. He announced he was seeking the Republican presidential nomination in a speech on March 23."These are all of our stories," Cruz told the audience at Liberty University in Virginia. "These are who we are as Americans. And yet for so many Americans, the promise of America seems more and more distant." Hide Caption 3 of 6 Photos: Who's running for president? Ohio Gov. John Kasich joined the Republican field July 21 as he formally announced his White House bid.



"I am here to ask you for your prayers, for your support ... because I have decided to run for president of the United States," Kasich told his kickoff rally at the Ohio State University. Hide Caption 4 of 6 Photos: Who's running for president?



"Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion -- so you can do more than just get by -- you can get ahead. And stay ahead," she said in her announcement video. "Because when families are strong, America is strong. So I'm hitting the road to earn your vote, because it's your time. And I hope you'll join me on this journey." Hillary Clinton launched her presidential bid on April 12 through a video message on social media. The former first lady, senator and secretary of state is considered the front-runner among possible Democratic candidates."Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion -- so you can do more than just get by -- you can get ahead. And stay ahead," she said in her announcement video. "Because when families are strong, America is strong. So I'm hitting the road to earn your vote, because it's your time. And I hope you'll join me on this journey." Hide Caption 5 of 6 Photos: Who's running for president?



"This great nation and its government belong to all of the people and not to a handful of billionaires, their super PACs and their lobbyists," Sanders said at a rally in Vermont on May 26. Sen. Bernie Sanders , an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, announced his run in an email to supporters on April 30. He has said the United States needs a "political revolution" of working-class Americans to take back control of the government from billionaires."This great nation and its government belong to all of the people and not to a handful of billionaires, their super PACs and their lobbyists," Sanders said at a rally in Vermont on May 26. Hide Caption 6 of 6

The real estate magnate -- wearing a navy suit jacket, white leather shoes and red hat with his logo 'Make America Great Again' -- walked through the fair ensconced by more than a dozen private security guards and Iowa State Troopers. Though he is known for his aversion to shaking hands, he gamely pressed the flesh as a crush of fans tried to greet him.

Some like Kim Tranmer, a 51-year-old senior housing and health care consultant from Des Moines, broke through, shouting to Trump that he should hire her. Tranmer, an independent who said the last time she voted was for the 1992 independent candidate Ross Perot, said she had already contacted Trump's campaign to offer to help organize supporters in Iowa.

"I could be a real asset to his team," she said. "I told him that as I shook his hand... He gave me that businessman look. We had a little connection there, I felt."

Approaching Trump, Tranmer said she was surrounded by fellow Trump admirers, who repeatedly said they wanted someone different with his kind of background.

"Donald wants to turn around the country," said Tranmer, who was glistening with sweat after her sprint to shake Trump's hand. "You can hire a politician who doesn't really know business, but if you hire a businessman, you can teach him the politics."

She added: With a good businessman like Trump, he'll hire people that specialize in the key areas. A good CEO hires people who are smarter than him to make him look good. Trump will do that."

Unlike Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, neither Trump nor Clinton braved the Des Moines Register "soapbox" on Saturday. But Trump did interviews with reporters as he made his way through the fair, hammering Clinton as untrustworthy and predicting that the controversy over her emails would become a "serious problem" that would ultimately cause her to withdraw from the race.

On Friday night, Clinton had made light of her email issues -- noting that she had joined Snapchat and loved it because messages disappear within seconds.

'Partisanization

She defended her joke on Saturday during her press conference, describing the controversy as just another example of the "partisanization" of politics. "I may have just made up a word," she said.

"I never sent classified material on my email and I never received any that was marked classified. So I'm going to let whatever this inquiry is go forward and will await the outcome of it," Clinton said.

For the time being, she was more concerned about spending time with voters and making it to the pork chop stand.

"Do you want a six pack or do you just want one?" the woman behind the counter asked.

"Well, we have a lot of people," Clinton replied surveying her entourage and the enormous scrum of press and supporters following her around the fair.

"We can get you a good amount of chops, how's that sound?" the saleswoman told her.

"Yeah, I want one on a stick though," Clinton said. Juggling a lemonade and posing for selfies, she told admirers that she needed their prayers and gave an enthusiastic review of the pork: "It's so good!" she exclaimed.

"What are we doing?" she said at one point, turning to an aide.

"We're going to go back that way to find a spot to sit," the aide replied.

"Oh, we're not going to sit," Clinton responded, taking a bite of her pork chop. "We'll walk and eat."

Amy Wright, a Republican from Ankeny, Iowa, was among the fairgoers who was disappointed that Trump and Clinton didn't make it to the soapbox.

She understood why Trump skipped the soapbox, given his feud with the Des Moines Register, which has urged him to end his campaign. But she said she was hoping he would make an impromptu speech.

"I would like to hear him speak," she said. "I was hoping to hear what he is most passionate about."

Impressed by Trump

Still, she was impressed by his retail skills as he worked the fair: "Obviously you can tell the kids are important to him. That's the only time he's stopping and taking a picture is with a kid. So that's pretty cool."

But like many voters here, she was intrigued, but not ready to commit: "He's definitely a frontrunner. There's so many people right now, we'll see who's around at the end. We're just kind of playing it by ear right now."

Not everyone at the fair was impressed by the candidates. One man, who watched Trump's jet fly over their campground Saturday morning, shrugged at the presence of the former secretary of state and real estate magnate here -- and made no effort to meet them.

"What difference does it make?" he said, adding that he has no plans to caucus but didn't want to give his name when discussing politics. "It's all about the money anyway."

His recommendation to future fairgoers was to steer clear of the candidates, and head to this year's novelty: the 27 degree beer tent.

"You put it in a Styrofoam cup and it stays cold," he marveled. "It's really weird for the state fair to have cold beer. It's usually lukewarm."

Both Clinton and Trump promised that they'd be returning to Iowa soon -- and often -- with the campaign moving at a breakneck speed.

Trump, for his part, seemed pleased with his reception as he left the fair in a golf cart after tasting a pork chop.

When asked by a CNN reporter what he had accomplished, he summed it up in a word: "Everything. You see the love. I mean this is love."