Republican 2016 presidential candidates are due to take to the debate stage in Iowa shortly, with the notable exception of frontrunner Donald Trump.
He decided to withdraw after Fox News refused to drop host Megyn Kelly, whom Mr Trump accused of bias.
The billionaire businessman is holding a competing rally nearby, in honour of the country's war veterans.
Voters in Iowa on Monday are due to pick their presidential nominee for each party.
It is seen as the first real test of the election campaign, and the beginning of a series of state-by-state contests to chose delegates for both Republicans and Democrats.
The Republican field is a wide one, and a debate undercard featuring four of the lowest-polling candidates was held earlier on Thursday evening.
In making his decision to skip the main debate in Des Moines, Mr Trump claimed "unfair" treatment from Ms Kelly of Fox News, which is hosting the debate in Iowa's state capital, Des Moines.
He is instead holding a fundraising event for veterans which began at 1900 local time (0100 GMT).
Friction between the businessman and television host dates back to the first Republican debate, when Ms Kelly challenged Mr Trump over derogatory comments he had previously made about women.
On Thursday, the billionaire businessman tweeted risque photos of Ms Kelly from a 2010 story in GQ magazine, calling her "the bimbo that's asking presidential questions".
In polls, Mr Trump is currently leading the Republican pack in Iowa with 33.2% of the vote (6.5 percentage points above his nearest rival, Texas Senator Ted Cruz), and is in the lead nationally with 36.2% (16.8 points over Mr Cruz).
Those left on the main debate stage include:
Texas Senator Ted Cruz, looking to close the gap behind Mr Trump
Florida Senator Marco Rubio, trying to frame himself as a moderate alternative to two frontrunners
Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, whose campaign has flagged in recent months
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who is looking for any chance to revive his campaign
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has do-or-die New Hampshire primary looming
John Kasich, who is running on his proud record as Ohio Governor
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, who is the most libertarian of the candidates
Iowa is the first state to vote in the primary election process, and can be an important moment for candidates to gain momentum as they try to secure their party's nomination.
Unlike a primary, which is a traditional election featuring secret ballots on polling day, a caucus is a meeting of registered party voters and activists where they discuss the candidates and then vote.
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