Homemade Flavor on Display at the 2025 Clay County Fair
SPENCER, Iowa — From cinnamon rolls and charcuterie boards to pickles, peach pie, and homebrewed beer, the 2025 Clay County Fair, powered by SMU, invites exhibitors of all ages and experience levels to showcase their culinary talents in three open-class cooking departments: Oven Products, Canned Goods and Dried Foods, and Home Wine & Craft Beer Making.
Oven Products Department
With more than a dozen contests scheduled throughout the nine-day Fair, the Oven Products Department welcomes bakers of all skill levels, whether they’re competing for prizes or just for fun.
One of the Fair’s signature contests, the $1,500 Cinnamon Roll Contest sponsored by Farmers Savings Bank, will take place Monday, September 8, at 1:00 p.m.
Additional highlights include:
— Apron Fashion Show: Held in partnership with the Creative Arts Department, this lighthearted event invites exhibitors of all ages to model aprons of any kind, handmade, vintage, store-bought, funny, or themed, and share their apron’s story. The show will take place on Saturday, September 13, at 2:00 p.m. Pre-registration is encouraged.
— Charcuterie Board “Movie Night” Contest: Open to all ages, this contest challenges participants to create themed boards inspired by favorite movie snacks. Both pre-packaged and homemade items are allowed. The contest takes place on Wednesday, September 10, at 4:00 p.m.
— Ugly Cake Contest – Youth and adults are invited to submit their most outrageously unattractive cake creations. Cakes should be as ugly as can be but appropriate for public display. Judging is based solely on appearance, making this a lighthearted and fun competition.
Participants are encouraged to check the 2025 Exhibitor Handbook for a complete list of Oven Products contests, rules, and entry deadlines. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a first-time entrant, the Oven Products Department offers a fun and rewarding way to share your kitchen creativity and maybe even go home with a blue ribbon.
Canned Goods & Dried Foods Department
Featuring more than 20 divisions, this department offers categories for jams, jellies, vegetables, pie fillings, pickles, and more.
New in 2025 is a Freeze-Dried Foods Division. Exhibitors may submit up to three entries per class as long as each entry is different in type. Classes include fruit, vegetable, and other.
Also new this year is the Best Pickle Contest, sponsored by Cedar Farm Creations. A variety of pickle classes will be available. Full details are in the Exhibitor Handbook.
Whether you’re an experienced canner or trying it for the first time, this department offers plenty of opportunities to showcase your preserving skills.
Home Wine & Craft Beer Making Department
This department continues to grow in popularity and now features expanded categories and awards aimed at home brewers and winemakers across the region.
For 2025, wine entries will be divided into two categories: Wine Made Fresh and Wine Made from a Kit, allowing for more tailored judging.
Prizes include gift certificates from Hy-Vee and Northern Brewer, elegant wine glasses from InnSpiration Wines and Vines, and a craft beer variety pack from Okoboji TWP Ciderworks. The Best of Show award for the Craft Beer Division is sponsored by West O Beer.
To enter, exhibitors must submit one bottle of wine or two bottles of beer. All skill levels are encouraged to participate.
Open Class entries for the 2025 Clay County Fair are open to exhibitors from any county or state. All participants are encouraged to review the 2025 Exhibitor Handbooks for complete rules and guidelines, available online at www.claycountyfair.com or in person at the Fair Administrative Office. Pre-registration is encouraged and may be completed online, by mail, or in person by Monday, August 4. Exhibitors may also register at the time of entry drop-off. Canned Goods & Dried Foods and Home Wine & Craft Beer Making entries must be dropped off at the Creative Living Building on Tuesday, September 2, between 11:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Oven Product entries for divisions 626–664 will be accepted at the same location on Friday, September 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., while divisions 670–674 will be accepted on Thursday, September 11, between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
About the Clay County Fair & Events Center – Rooted in Tradition, the Clay County Fair and Events Center is a year-round facility that hosts more than 300 events annually, 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 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. For more information, visit claycountyfair.com.
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