History

THE START OF AN IOWA CLASSIC

In 1917, the Clay County Fair Association was organized. The first modern Clay County Fair was held in 1918, just six weeks before the Armistice of World War I.

In an article in the April 3, 1918 Spencer Daily Reporter, it was reported that preparations for the upcoming fair were being made with the race track being nearly completed. The same article included the fact that soon work would start on the two ornamental entrance ways to the fair grounds. The entrance ways were to be built in the shape of an arch with towers at each side. Ticket booths were to be built in connection.

GRANDSTAND HISTORY

In 1931, it was felt that a new grandstand was needed to replace the original, as there was not enough seating capacity to accommodate the thousands who daily flocked to see acts, stage shows, horse and car races. A new, all steel and concrete grandstand was built at a cost of $45,000, which would seat 5,000 people comfortably. It was felt that the new grandstand, still being used today, represented one of the most ambitious undertakings ever attempted by a county fair in the nation.