2024 Clay County Fair Photography Themes Announced
Spencer, Iowa — The Photography Department is excited to announce the ten photography themes that exhibitors can compete in during the 2024 Clay County Fair, powered by SMU, from September 7-15. The 2024 photography themes, selected in the spring of 2023, have taken on a profound relevance in light of the recent flooding disaster that has affected Spencer and much of northwest Iowa.
The 2024 Themes include “Into the Blue” concepts division sponsored by Campbell, Higgins & Mummert, P.C.; “Fury of the Storm” photojournalism division sponsored by the Spencer Daily Reporter; “Winter Wonderland” beautiful Iowa division sponsored by Clay Mutual Insurance; “Shelter” objects division sponsored by Spencer Truck Line; “Helping Our Water” conservation division sponsored by the Clay County Soil Conservation Service; “Ordinary Day” film division sponsored by F8 Creative; “On Two Wheels” action division sponsored by Boyd & Sailer Dental Center; “John Deere” agriculture division sponsored by GWS Farms; “Sports: Game On” a sports division sponsored by Jim Shriner Family; and new in 2024 “Sunrise/Sunset” a country living division sponsored by Carl and Becky Simons.
Exhibitors entering photographs into the theme divisions have the opportunity to win increased monetary prizes. These divisions include an adult class and a youth class for children under 18.
Dana Metcalf, Superintendent of the Photography Department, commented, “It will be very interesting to see what photos people have taken and are selecting to bring for the 2024 photography themes.”
Metcalf also encouraged photography exhibitors to pre-register their entries and to review the 2024 Photography Exhibitor Handbook. “Photography exhibitors can enter up to 12 photographs, with one entry per class, and photos must be at least 5×7 inches.”
Other divisions that exhibitors can enter their photos in include color photography, black-and-white photography, and creative photography. The creative photography class allows exhibitors to use various techniques to alter the image so that it appears abstract in quality.
Open class photography entries are open to anyone from any county or state. Photography exhibitors are encouraged to check out the 2024 Exhibitor Handbook to find the entry rules and guidelines. The handbook can be found online at www.claycountyfair.com or picked up in the Fair Administrative Office. Pre-registration for all photography entries is encouraged and can be completed online, by mail, or in person by Monday, August 19. Photography exhibitors also have the option to register their entries before judging. Photography entries will be accepted at the Photography Center, located just south of the Commercial Events Building, on Friday, August 30 (12:00 pm-7:00 pm) or Saturday, August 31 (9:00 am-3:00 pm).
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 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.
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