Town and Country Innovation celebrates eighth year at the 2023 Fair

Spencer, Iowa —The Town and Country Innovation Department will celebrate its eighth year of competition at the 2023 Clay County Fair powered by SMU, Sept. 9-17.

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. This competition is a showcase for creations using new materials, or creations using recycled materials from iron, wood, and metal piles. Small or large, the collection of ideas will be a great show for everyone interested in seeing the new innovations.

“Bucket of Junk,” a competition that focuses on being innovative and resourceful with a five-gallon bucket of identifiable junk, will return this year. This competition allows exhibitors explore their creativity by reviving discarded piles of wood, metal, plastics, and anything considered “junk” to create something.

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 21. For those who choose not to pre-register, registration can also occur when entries are accepted on Sept. 7 (4:00pm-6:00pm).

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.

-###-