Entertaining performances and educational experiences add to Fair fun
Family fun for everyone is always the focus at the Clay County Fair, September 9-17.
“Our guest surveys tell us that the number one reason people attend the Fair each year is family time and tradition,” said Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons. “Much of that family time is spent in several traditional places on the fairgrounds that provide activities for all ages.”
Arts on Grand and the Clay County Fair join once again for fairgoers to enjoy fun activities and unique pieces at the Art Barn during the Fair. Fairgoers will be able to watch working art demonstrations, purchase unique items, and even participate in making art through the Clay County Fair Mural Project.
Each day will present a performer on the Art Barn Stage at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9 will be Molly Brandt on keyboard and guitar. Greg Taylor will play guitar on Sunday, Sept. 10. Jim and Jessie Howard of The Jessie James Band will perform on Monday, Sept. 11. Tuesday, Sept. 12 will be Robert Johnson & Friends. Clint Riedel will perform on guitar Wednesday, Sept. 13. Stephan Baker and Friends will play the ukulele on Thursday, Sept. 14 and Saturday, Sept. 16. Rounding out the Fair on Sunday, Sept. 17 will be Duane Davis & Family Band, known as LD3.
Families can enjoy Grandpa’s Barn this year again and develop an appreciation for everything related to Iowa’s number one industry, agriculture. There will be a large assortment of animals ranging from cows and pigs to peacocks. Also, there will be corn, beans and other crops grown at the crop plots, which were planted in late May, to walk through. In addition, there will be a play area near the barn for children.
Smoky Mountain Railroad, one of the largest model train displays in the Midwest, will be enjoyed by all in The Depot Building. It made its debut at the Fair in 1947 in the KICD Building, replacing the featherless chicken display and has been entertaining crowds ever since.
Sundholm Environmental Education Center will once again bring fun educational opportunities to the Fair with live animals, hands on activities and more. Naturalist programs will be held daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The counties involved will be Monona, Palo Alto, Ida, O’Brien, Dickinson, Pocahontas, Cherokee, Sioux, Buena Vista, Plymouth, Lyon, Sac and Woodbury. They will have activities involving butterflies, bison, elk, snakes, and more. There will be a live bald eagle with Christina Roeloffs on Monday, Sept. 11 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Closing the Fair on Saturday, Sept. 16 will be the Great Plains Zoo from 1 p.m.-2 p.m.