Only Three Days Left to Enter Open Class Livestock for 2026 Fair
Spencer, Iowa – The countdown is on for open class livestock exhibitors planning to compete at the 2026 Clay County Fair, powered by SMU, September 12-20. Exhibitors have just three days remaining to submit their entries before the Monday, August 3, 2026 deadline.
Open Class entries for Beef, Dairy, Horse, Rabbit, Sheep, and Swine must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 3. Participants from any county or state are eligible to compete.
Before submitting entries, exhibitors are encouraged to review their department handbook for important information regarding entry requirements, department rules, health regulations, schedules, and other department-specific guidelines. Department handbooks and entry information are available on the Clay County Fair website or may be picked up at the Fair Administrative Office.
Exhibitors who miss the August 3 deadline will still have an opportunity to enter during the late entry period, which runs August 4-10, 2026. A $25 late fee per entry will apply during this time. Livestock entries will officially close after August 10, and no additional entries will be accepted.
For many livestock exhibitors, Fair Brain starts long before the gates open, with early mornings in the barn, months of preparation, and the excitement of competition. The best cure is making sure your entries are submitted before the deadline and getting ready for another unforgettable Clay County Fair.
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 www.claycountyfair.com.
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