Clay County Fair 2026 Grandstand Lineup and Guest Information
Spencer, Iowa — The Clay County Fair, powered by SMU, has announced the full 2026 Grandstand lineup, with tickets now available for all scheduled events throughout the nine-day Fair. The Grandstand features a diverse slate of entertainment, including nationally recognized music artists, motorsports, and family-friendly shows running from September 12 through September 20.
The 2026 SMG Concert Series opens on Saturday, September 12 at 6:00 p.m. with country artist Cole Swindell, joined by special guest Ashley Cooke and support act Shawn Mayer. Entertainment continues Sunday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m. with comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, followed by performances from Lee Greenwood with special guest Jimmy Fortune on Monday, September 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Martina McBride with special guest Abbie Callahan on Tuesday, September 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Midweek programming shifts to motorsports and live-action entertainment, beginning Wednesday, September 16, with Bulls & Broncs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday feature back-to-back racing events, including Battle of the Blue Ribbon on September 17 and Blue Ribbon Showdown on September 18, both with hot laps at 7:00 p.m. The weekend concludes with high-adrenaline competitions, including All-Star Monster Trucks on Saturday, September 19 at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., the Outlaw Truck & Tractor Pull at 7:30 p.m. the same day, and Figure 8 Races on Sunday, September 20 with flag drop at 1:00 p.m.
MidwesTix serves as the official ticket provider for all Clay County Fair Grandstand events. Tickets are available online at https://tickets.midwestix.com/events/20356, by phone at 515-244-2771, or in person at the Clay County Fair Events Center Box Office. Guests purchasing tickets by phone will do so directly through MidwesTix, as the Fair is unable to process phone ticket orders.
All tickets are subject to applicable handling and processing fees, which apply regardless of purchase method, including in-person sales. The Fair reminds guests that tickets purchased outside of Midwestix or official Clay County Fair channels cannot be guaranteed as valid for entry.
Mobile ticketing is in use for all Grandstand events, allowing guests to scan tickets directly from a smartphone or present printed copies at entry gates.
Grandstand gates will open 60 minutes before each scheduled event. Re-entry is permitted for guests who receive a handstamp upon exiting the Grandstand, and returning guests may be subject to additional bag checks at the discretion of event staff.
For guest safety and security, bag checks are conducted at all Grandstand events. Prohibited items include weapons or firearms, alcoholic beverages not purchased from the Clay County Fair & Events Center, air horns, whistles or other noisemakers, helium balloons, glitter or confetti, glass bottles, fireworks, and illegal substances.
Guests may bring food and beverages purchased on the Fairgrounds into the Grandstand, and a concession stand is also available inside for added convenience.
Fair admission is required for entry to the Fairgrounds and, by extension, all Grandstand events, and is not included with Grandstand tickets. There is no separate Grandstand-only entrance. Each evening during the Fair, guests may enter the Fairgrounds without an admission ticket beginning at 7:30 p.m., allowing access to evening Grandstand events scheduled after that time.
Children age 2 and under may sit on an adult’s lap; all other guests must have a valid ticket for entry. Accessible seating is available within the Grandstand, with one companion permitted per accessible seating guest in designated areas.
Additional information, including frequently asked questions and event details, is available at https://claycountyfair.com/grandstand/.
About the Grandstand
Bag checks are conducted at all Grandstand events. Certain items are prohibited, including weapons or firearms, outside alcoholic beverages, air horns or other noisemakers, helium balloons, glitter or confetti, glass bottles, fireworks, and illegal substances. Fair admission is not included with Grandstand event tickets. Children aged two and under may sit on an adult’s lap; all other attendees must have a ticket. Accessible seating is available; each guest in these areas is allowed one companion.
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 200 events, including its signature event, the Clay County Fair. 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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