Town and Country Innovation celebrates seventh year at the 2022 Fair

Spencer, Iowa —The Town and Country Innovation Department will celebrate its seventh year of competition at the 2022 Clay County Fair powered by SMU, Sept. 10-18.

“We’ve had so many creative ‘projects’ in the past seven years, especially in our youth division,” said Superintendent Karen Schwaller. “It was amazing to see the projects that young minds are creating including a homemade tool ‘handy holder,’ a homemade mouse trap, and work windmill that created electricity.”

The Fair’s newest competitive department, 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 an existing tool or machine, 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 return this year. “This category is a lot of fun to see the exhibitor bringing their own junk from around the farm or house to life,” said Schwaller.

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

Entries are open to all from any county or state. 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 22. For those who choose not to pre-register, registration can also occur when entries are accepted on Sept. 8 (4:00pm-6:00pm).

About The Clay County Fair & Events Center Rooted in Tradition, the Clay County Fair and 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 Clay County Fair attracts more than 300,000 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.

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