Town and Country Innovation celebrates sixth year in 2021

Spencer, Iowa —Town and Country Innovation Show will celebrate its sixth year of competition at the 2021 Clay County Fair powered by SMU, Sept. 11-19, in a brand new location.

“Due to the renovation of the Ag Marketplace to the new Farm Nutrients Small Animal Barn, we needed a new home for this creative department,” said Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons.  “We are excited to move this department into the Fields & Gardens Building located next to the Art Barn.”

The Fair’s Town and Country Innovation Show, which began in 2015, started from the back of every “Successful Farmer” magazine, specifically, the page headlined as “All Around the Farm.” After three successful years, the department has changed its name to incorporate more opportunities for people to exhibit their greatest creations.

Entries can be anything from a simple improvement to an everyday household appliance, an adaptation to existing tools and machines, or even a brand new invention. Some examples of past entries include a garden hose adapter, a flower planter made out of an old school desk, a calf catcher, and a work-table made from a cable spool.

“Bucket of Junk,” which focuses on being innovative and resourceful with a five gallon bucket of identifiable junk, will also return again this year.

The Town and Country Innovation exhibits are judged on workmanship, usefulness, appearance, design and creativity.

There are no entry fees and exhibitors also do not need to be residents of Clay County. New exhibitors are also encouraged to enter their creations at the Fair. There is a division for everyone, youth and adults.

Check out the exhibitor handbook online at www.claycountyfair.com or pick one up at the Fair Administrative Offices to find the rules and guidelines to enter your work at the Fair. Pre-registration for all exhibits is encouraged and can be completed online, by mail, or in person by August 29. For those who choose not to pre-register, registration can also occur when entries are accepted at the Fields & Gardens Building on Thursday, Sept. 9 from 4:00pm-6:00pm, unless an appointment has been made.

About The Clay County Fair & Events Center Rooted in Tradition, the Clay County Fair & Events Center is a year-round facility that annually hosts more than 300 events, including its signature event, the Clay County Fair powered by SMU. Known as “The World’s Greatest County Fair” since 1917, the Fair attracts more than 325,000 guests each September for nine days of world-class entertainment, competition, food, fun, and the largest farm machinery show at any fair in the United States. Additional information can be found at claycountyfair.com.