SPENCER, Iowa — The theme for this year’s Clay County Fair is “See It, Believe It”; and you really have to see the fair to believe the progress the community has made this summer.
In late June, the town in Northwest Iowa was devastated after the Little Sioux River flooded.
The Fairgrounds became a vital part of the community’s recovery. The Events Center housed the Red Cross, the Tower Gate Pavilion housed FEMA, and debris was stored at the fairgrounds before being moved to landfills. The Campgrounds are still serving as emergency homes for people who lost theirs in the flood.
“We’re on higher ground and we’ve invested a lot of money in drainage over the past few years. So, the water left quickly,” said Jason Brockshus, the Partnership’s Director for the Clay County Fair.
Growing Space industry launching careers for ISU Aerospace students Because the fairgrounds weren’t damaged, he quickly announced they would hold the county fair. He believed it would be the best way that they can help the community, by providing hope and an escape from reality for nine days.
The Clay County Fair is known as the World’s Greatest County Fair. Every September, 300,000 people attend the fair in Spencer, a town with just 11,000 people.
Brockshus said a lot of work goes into putting together the fair every year, but this year, they were faced with more challenges because of the flooding.
Normally, they start getting the grounds ready on August 1, and vendors start to set up their stands by August 23. However, because they housed many recovery efforts, their schedule was delayed this year. On August 18th, FEMA was able to relocate to county offices.
Brockshus said they were finally able to start fair preparations during the third week of August. Regardless of the delayed timeline, the Clay County Fair was ready on opening day this year, and attendance shows the people were also ready.
During the first weekend, between 50,000 and 60,000 people per day are estimated to have attended. Heading into this weekend, Brockshus is expecting to continue to bring in large crowds of people.
Jeremy Parsons was the CEO of the Clay County Fair for 12 years before becoming the CEO of the Iowa State Fair in 2023. Parsons called Clay County home for over a decade and said he was heartbroken when he visited the town in the wake of the flood. He will be one of the thousands of people at the fair this weekend.
Iowa State Fair reveals new theme for 2025 “I tell people all the time, it’s kind of a miniature version of the Iowa State Fair. So, if you still have that leftover fair fever from August or just want that one last corn dog, everybody should get to Spencer,” said Parsons.
While the fairgrounds are festive and packed with smiling people, there still is another reality in the town. Around 200 homes are still without power, and the campgrounds are still home for people who lost theirs in late June.
The Clay County Fair decided to take their efforts to help the community a step further. They’re also collecting donations. When patrons go online to purchase an admission, concert, or racing ticket, there is a donate button. Donations can also be made without purchasing other tickets. All of the funds will go towards the community.
Click here to donate and click here to purchase a ticket .
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