Clay County Fair
Clay County Fair and Events Center logo with tower gate and Ferris wheel

Clay County Fair Queen Contest postponed

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Due to continued uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Clay County Fair Queen Contest, originally scheduled for Sunday, May 3, has been postponed to a later date. “Although the current event restrictions developed by the Iowa Department of Public Health expire on April 30, we didn’t feel comfortable planning an event that could possibly be cancelled if the restrictions are extended,” said Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons. “We will re-evaluate in early May and set a new contest date at that time.”

Although the contest has been postponed, the Fair continues to seek applicants. Females between the ages of 16 and 21 by August 13, the first day of the 2020 Iowa State Fair, may apply. Candidates must never been married, cannot be a professional model, cannot represent any other organization, and must reside in Clay County or an adjoining county if the majority of her activities are in Clay County.

Clay County Fair
Josh Turner

Josh Turner added to Clay County Fair Grandstand lineup

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The Clay County Fair announces Josh Turner with special guest Dillon Carmichael as part of the SRG Concert Series in the Sleep Number Grandstand at the 2020 Clay County Fair on Thursday, September 17 at 7:30 p.m.

With his rich, deep voice and distinctive style, Josh Turner is one of country music’s most recognizable hit-makers. From his 2003 Platinum-selling debut Long Black Train to his 2017 Billboard No. 1 release, Deep South, Turner has scored multiple GRAMMY®, CMA and ACM Awards nominations and received six Inspirational Country Music Awards. As one of the youngest members inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, Turner has sold more than 8 million units and populated radio with such memorable hits as “Hometown Girl,” “Would You Go With Me,” “Your Man,” “Time Is Love,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance” and “Long Black Train.”

Growing up in the small town of Burgin, KY, Dillon Carmichael absorbed the musical life through osmosis: his father and uncles performed in a Southern Gospel Quartet, his mother sang all over the eastern part of the state, and his uncles (John Michael and Eddie Montgomery) both enjoyed massive chart success. The New York Times compared Carmichael to Randy Travis and said his rich baritone voice “moves with the heft and certainty of a tractor-trailer,” while NPR praised his “deep holler,” and Parade raved that “Carmichael defines pure country.”

Dillon Carmichael (photo provided)

Tickets will go on sale this Friday, April 3 at 10:00 a.m. Prices are $35 (general admission stage front seating), $30 (reserved Grandstand seating), and $25 (general admission bleacher seating).

Clay County Fair
Clay County Fair and Events Center logo with tower gate and Ferris wheel

Foreigner ticket refund information

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A letter from Clay County Fair & Events CEO/Manager Jeremy Parsons on how to get ticket refunds for Foreigner’s canceled show:

Dear Foreigner Ticket Buyer:

Saturday, Sept. 7 was a rare event at the Clay County Fair – a Grandstand concert cancellation. Due to muddy track conditions that affected stage placement and issues with the stage surface, Foreigner felt that the Grandstand stage was unsafe for the band and stage personnel. The Fair will be offering concert ticket refunds (less handling & processing fees). Bottom line – if you purchased your tickets via credit card, you don’t have to do anything.

Clay County Fair
community prayer outside 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit at Clay County Fair

Clay County Fair highlight: 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit

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One must-see highlight of this year’s Clay County Fair is the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit, which is open daily from 12-6 p.m.

The museum, a 53-foot tractor-trailer that expands into a 1,000-square-foot exhibit, educates visitors about the events that occurred on September 11, 2001. It’s a moving tribute to those who lost their lives that day, including the 343 FDNY members who made the ultimate sacrifice. On Wednesday, on the 18th anniversary of 9/11, community members gathered near the mobile exhibit, which is located next to the events center, for a prayer service. Almost 3,000 people were killed in the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center and at the Pentagon. As the volunteers who travel with the exhibit pointed out Wednesday, many first-responders and community members have since died of or are still suffering from health complications related to the attack.

Clay County Fair
Moto Maniacs family performers at Clay County Fair

Clay County Fair highlight: Moto Maniacs

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Ivan España still gets a thrill from the high-flying, speed-seeking stunts he and his family put on as part of their act, Moto Maniacs – except the source of those thrills may not be what you’d expect. “There’s the thrill of being in a place,” he said Tuesday following a performance at the Clay County Fair. “Like, we got to perform in the Sydney Opera House. That’s a big thrill.”

But then there’s the audience. Ivan said the Moto Maniacs “feed off the audience.”

Clay County Fair
Sundholm Log Cabin at Clay County Fair

Clay County Fair highlights: Sundholm Log Cabin, Grandpa’s Barn

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Fairgoers can find plenty of hands-on fun at the Sundholm Log Cabin and Grandpa’s Barn at the Clay County Fair. The Sundholm Log Cabin offers fun, educational opportunities to fair visitors, including live animals and hands-on activities. “When they come into the cabin, it’ll be all hands-on displays,” said Clay County Conservation Board Naturalist Brianne Blom. “They can learn about all different kinds of things dealing with nature. We also have naturalist programs throughout the whole day.”

salamanders at Sundholm Log CabinSnapping turtle at Sundholm Log CabinPainted turtle Sundholm Log Cabin

Naturalist programs are held daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Activities include topics involving reptiles, amphibians, bison, mammals, turtles and more.

Clay County Fair
Artist painting at Clay County Fair

Clay County Fair highlights: Art Barn

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Arts on Grand’s Art Barn has always been a draw for creatives and supporters of the arts at the Clay County Fair. This year, the Art Barn has added a new feature called “Plein Air at the Fair,” a painting festival at various fairground locations throughout the duration of this year’s event. Different artists picks a place to create his or her art and fair visitors are able to enjoy watching the process. “It basically means painting outdoors,” Arts on Grand Executive Director Ryan Odor said of the name. “So every day – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday – we have a different painter that’s going to be on the grounds just hanging out painting what they see.

Clay County Fair
Man riding bucking bull at Clay County Fair

CCF Bull Riding returns to the Outdoor Arena at the Fair

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An evening of bull riding, as well as many other equine events and Muttin’ Bustin’, will be the featured attractions at the Outdoor Arena during the 2019 Clay County Fair, September 7-15. 

“The Outdoor Arena will be filled with entertainment for the entire family all day and into the evenings,” said Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons. “I’m excited about all of the different activities that are scheduled there.”

During the day, the Outdoor Arena will host open class and 4-H/FFA horse shows. Open class western shows (Paint, Appaloosa, Quarter Horse, Pony Halter and Pony Performance) will be Sept. 7-10 before the start of the 4-H/FFA shows on Sept. 10-12. The second weekend of the Fair, Sept.

Clay County Fair
$1,000 award presented at Clay County Fair cooking contest in 2018

Numerous prizes to be given for blue ribbon cooking at the Clay County Fair

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Thirty-two different sponsored items for blue ribbon winners and cash prizes are just some of the things waiting for you and your kitchen creations to win in the Oven Products Department at the 2019 Clay County Fair, Sept. 7-15. Besides classic categories like chocolate chip cookies, pies, and other baked goods, there are several other contests for exhibitors to enter, including the $1,000 Cinnamon Roll Contest. The contest will be held on Monday, Sept. 9 and is sponsored by Farmer’s Savings Bank, Edward Jones, and Asher Motor Company.

Clay County Fair
World's Greatest County Fair Food finalists for 2019 Clay County Fair

New food at Clay County Fair entices fairgoers’ stomachs

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Fairgoers to the 2019 Clay County Fair will have 32 new foods to enjoy during their visit September 7-15, including five that have been named as finalists for the fourth edition of the “The World’s Greatest County Fair Food” Contest. “In our visitor surveys, fairgoers tell us one of the top reasons they attend the Fair is for the food,” said Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons. “This list of unique new foods will only add to our reputation as a nine-day foodie festival.”

“The World’s Greatest County Fair Food” Contest will be judged by a panel of local celebrity judges on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 3 p.m. on the Central Park Stage with one vendor taking home the coveted title of “The World’s Greatest County Fair Food.”

The finalists

The five finalists (and vendors) are as follows:

Sirloin Tips (Bryan’s Concessions)

Sirloin Tips (Bryan’s Concessions)

Sirloin Tips (Bryan’s Concessions) – a bed of mashed red potatoes with just the right amount of secret seasoning topped by a skillet of prepared sirloin tips, grilled onions, peppers, and sautéed mushrooms.

Açaí Bowls (Big Açaí Bowls)

Açaí Bowls (Big Açaí Bowls)

Açaí Bowls (Big Açaí Bowls) – refreshing sorbet topped with banana and granola and then your choice of various toppings (strawberries, mixed berries, peaches, cacao chips, chai seeds, hemp seeds, coconut shavings, almond butter, or honey). Cowboy Cone (Oak Tree Bar-B-Que)

Cowboy Cone (Oak Tree Bar-B-Que)

Cowboy Cone (Oak Tree Bar-B-Que) – a two-in-one (dessert and dinner) dish: pulled pork topped with baked beans, coleslaw, and BBQ sauce all inside a waffle cone drizzled with chocolate syrup.