Most folks know that state fairs are usually big events. But did you know there is a fair in Northwest Iowa that rivals many state fairs? It’s called The Clay County Fair and is held each year in Spencer, Iowa. I had a fun time attending this past Saturday, September 7, with two friends I’ve known since age 3. We had a blast! The fair continues until September 15, so there’s still time to go yourself!

Link to the The Clay County Fair Website: ⬇️

https://claycountyfair.com/

The Clay County Fair first started in 1918 and is the largest county fair in Iowa and has the largest agricultural exposition in North America. I can certainly attest to that last fact. I attended this fair numerous times as a kid and we loved climbing up in the new tractor and combine cabs and getting our photos taken in them. All the big farm equipment companies were there so you were covered, whether you were a red, blue, orange, or green equipment fan. 😉 Almost every agricultural company and organization was also represented at the fair in various booths and buildings scattered around the fair. Fairs in Iowa, especially, were the proverbial precursors to conventions - places where you could both learn and celebrate agricultural life in all its various forms.

But if you think The Clay County Fair is all about farming, you would be in for a surprise. There are many concerts and performances scheduled nearly every hour of the fair. Big name entertainers play each evening in the grandstand, but free concerts and entertainers perform in updated venues in numerous places throughout the fair. The free events are great ways to pace yourself from all the walking you will do!

Link to the Daily Schedule of Events: ⬇️

https://claycountyfair.com/daily-schedules/

The Clay County Fair also has a huge midway with rides and carnival games galore. I have been on many an amusement ride at that fair, although we were rarely allowed to play the carnival games. I do remember, though, a day about 12 or 13 years ago, though, when my extended family went to the fair and all the grandkids got huge stuffed animals from the carnival games, compliments of my sister. It was fun to see the kids proudly carrying their giant prizes around the fair. My daughter got a pink monkey almost bigger than she was. What a hoot! She grinned from ear to ear all day. 😁😁😁

There are lots of other things to see and do too! There are 4-H and FFA projects to view, judged community arts, craft and food projects to see, plus vendors selling lots of items you may not see other places. Some vendors even offer product demonstrations, contests or give away free items like calendars, yardsticks, or free food samples just for stopping by.

Speaking of food, The Clay County Fair has many more food options than I even remember. There are lots of things on a stick so you can eat on the run and so much more. I don’t remember being able to purchase Thai food, jambalaya, deep fried sweet corn, iced hot chocolate, and poutine at the fair in years past. Times have definitely changed!

My friends and I happily tried new food items and enjoyed old favorites at the fair on Saturday. My FitBit said I walked almost 5 miles that day, so hopefully I walked part of that off. 😉

One of my friends wondered which one of us would see someone they knew first. They agreed that I would because in their words, “I was related to half of Northwest Iowa.” While that is partly true, it was also a bit prophetic. We entered the fair and sat down to watch a show ten minutes later. Two minutes after I sat down I got this text from my sister. ⬇️

That is me in the wonky blue hat texting my mom. 😲😲😲 I was shocked and finally spotted her, her husband, and son way in the back. My nephew had been the first to spot me. My friends thought this chain of events was hilarious. So we talked to them after the show. Here is their photo.

Later I saw a former colleague and also almost literally ran into my Uncle Bob, cousin (Ross) and his wife (Shawn) and son Caleb (with a friend) near the midway. The funny part was I didn’t even spot them. My friends did! You know you grew up in a small town when… 😉 Shawn said she followed my blog, so I took their photos so they could be in it too. ⬇️

Note: The town of Spencer, Iowa (and other places in Iowa and the Midwest) was ravaged by devastating flooding earlier this summer. The flooding destroyed or damaged many of the town’s homes and businesses. The photos from that time period are unbelievable.

This photo below pretty much sums up the motto as you drive into town. “Spencer strong!” It’s a testament to this community that the fair was still held and was as vibrant as ever! 🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶

My friends and I really enjoyed our time at the fair. I always enjoy it just as much as the Iowa State Fair, which is listed as one of the best state fairs in the U.S. It was both nostalgic and eye opening at the same time (to see the changes since we last were there). Here are some photos of our day.

Free concert - Transit Authority - a Chicago tribute band which was very good! ⬆️

Deep fried chocolate chip cookies that we shared 😋😋😋

A large miniature railroad display! ⬆️

The Grandstand above - seating for large events and concerts on the outside and vendors galore underneath! ⬆️

Foot long corn dog on a stick! ⬆️

Free entertainment - Noah Sonie HYPE (hypnotist/mentallist/entertainer) He was great! ⬆️

Partial piece of the bacon pecan pie on a stick! ⬆️⬇️

A “piggie sundae” with curly fries topped with pulled pork, baked beans, and coleslaw. Available in the Pork Producers Building. It was excellent. It’s my new favorite fair food! 👏👏👏⬆️