SPENCER, Iowa — Come Home to the Clay County Fair for nine days starting Saturday, Sept. 9. With more than $180,000 in free entertainment, nearly 500 vendors bringing new and unique items to fairgoers, a variety of Grandstand acts, the largest ag show at any fair in the United States and more, the Clay County Fair will provide something for everyone.
Visitors to the Fair will enjoy discounted admission after 5 p.m. every day except Tuesday, Sept. 12 when admission is free for all fairgoers. This annual Family Night, sponsored by the Spencer Chamber of Commerce, gives everybody the opportunity to see the Fair at no charge. Earlier in the day is Senior Day where fairgoers ages 65+ can get in for only $6 admission. Veterans Day, sponsored by Atlantic Bottling, gives veterans of the armed forces and active military members free admission to the Fair on Monday, Sept. 11. Y100 Kids Day will give fairgoers under 18 free admission on Friday, Sept. 15. Finally, everyone is encouraged to attend Centennial Day on Sunday, Sept. 17 when adult admission is only $5.
Fairgoers can “Come Home” for fun for all ages throughout the barns, including Grandpa’s Barn, which will give fairgoers a chance to get up close and personal with animals from around the farm and other animals not often seen in Iowa.
Free entertainment can be seen throughout the grounds as different shows will begin every half hour 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Shows will offer fairgoers all genres of music, as well as magic shows and local talent. Antique tractors and classic cars will also be on display for all fairgoers to see.
U.S Cellular Grandstand entertainment will bring big-name performers to the area as well as three nights of dirt event excitement. Tickets are still available and can be ordered by calling 515-244-2771, going online to http://www.midwestix.com/organizations/clay-county-fair or going to the Grandstand Ticket Office, which opens at 10 a.m. every day.
Come Home to the fair in 2017 for competitions including more than 850 4-H and FFA exhibitors and their 2,300 animals as well as increased number to the open class exhibitors. In addition to the livestock are 30 acres of agriculture displays, making the Clay County Fair the largest ag equipment and farm machinery show at any fair in the United States.
The Art Barn will host local artisans, as well as have fairgoers become the artists of this year’s Centennial Mural Project. Fairgoers can decorate a tile of contest winner, Megan Roethler’s (Charles City) “Summer Day in Iowa” and see the pieces of tile become the piece of art.
Saturday, Sept. 16 is Science Saturday for fairgoers to experience hands-on science experiments and discover different sciences, sponsored by Iowa Lakes Community College.
Fair food is another reason to Come Home. Take in the 2017 “World’s Greatest County Fair” Food Contest, where five judges will decide the top new food to the Clay County Fair. Fairgoers can see which food is labeled as “The World’s Great County Fair” Food at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9.
The GoldStar Amusements Midway offers fun for all ages. The Midway will open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, Sunday, Sept. 10, as well as Friday, Sept. 15- Sunday Sept. 17. It will be open 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11- Thursday, Sept. 14. Wristbands are available for the nine days, as well as single-day wristbands for Saturday or Sunday. Kids Day wristbands are available Friday, Sept. 15 for a special price. Pricing information can be found at https://claycountyfair.com/attractions/midway.
“Come Home” September 9-17, 2017 to Spencer, Iowa for our Centennial Celebration! ”The World’s Greatest County Fair” since 1917, the Clay County Fair attracts more than 300,000 guests each September. “Come Home” for unique experiences including world-class Grandstand entertainment, award-winning fair food, daily livestock and horse shows, more than $150,000 in free entertainment, thousands of competitive exhibits, the thrilling GoldStar Amusements Midway, hundreds of commercial vendors, and the largest farm machinery display at any fair in the United States. Visit claycountyfair.com to plan your visit.
— Clay County Fair
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