Agricultural Fairs

Briefs 9-26-08 (09/26/08)
"Artisans Road Trip: Before and After," currently on display at Arts on Grand, showcases over twenty-five of the regional artists involved in Artisans Road Trip 2008, which takes place on the weekend of Oct. 4--5. The artists reception for the exhibit will be at 5-6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, with a gallery talk at 5:30 p.m. The public is cordially invited to come and meet some of the artists for conversation and refreshments...

Displays sought for Festival of Trees (09/20/08)
Festive displays are being sought for the fifth annual Festival of Trees sponsored by the Spencer Regional Healthcare Foundation. The events will be held at the Clay County Regional Events Center Nov. 13-15 with a Festival Tour of Homes on Nov. 15. Businesses, individuals and non-profit organizations are welcome to create a display for the Festival. ...

Elliott will showcase talents during ART (09/18/08)
Iowa artist Chad Elliott will be featured as one of the 40 artists opening their studios, workspaces or galleries as part of the 2008 Artisans Road Trip. Elliott will be hosting his art and music at Shaky Tree Coffee in Spencer during the event from 9 a.m.-5 fp.m., Saturday, Oct. 4 and 12-5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 5...

Clay County Fair Museum celebrates fair's 90th year (09/12/08)
Ninety years ago, the Clay County Fair Association hosted the first Clay County Fair on the new fairgrounds located on Grove Street. While the CCFA was incorporated in 1917, it was too late in the year to construct buildings and present a high-quality exposition. By the following year, a grandstand, woman's building, speed barns and the east entrance gate had sprouted up where corn had once grown...

2008 Clay County Fair - Turner to light up stage with hit 'Firecracker' (09/12/08)
Josh Turner is one of the brightest young stars on the country music scene right now. His lyrics speak to people because they are about everyday occurrences and people relate to that. "The life that I live and the experiences that I have always affect what comes out of me creatively. I think that's what makes music real," said Turner...

Carson to tout Obama-Biden ticket during Spencer stop (09/12/08)
A former congressman from Oklahoma is traveling through western Iowa Friday and Saturday to help Barack Obama. Brad Carson's schedule includes a 1:30 p.m. stop at the Clay County Fair on Saturday near the Clay County Democrats booth. He plans to to discuss Obama's plans to strengthen rural communities and support rural economic development...

ILCC students aid in data collection (09/11/08)
Fairgoers will be able to offer their opinions on just how good the Clay County Fair is when they complete a survey at the fair this year. Iowa Lakes Community College, the Clay County Fair and the Clay County Auditor's office will be cooperating for the 11th year in a row to survey fairgoers about their opinions...

Outlaws invade the Fair - Schatz wins second straight at 'The Fair' (09/11/08)
It seems Donny Schatz has taken a liking to the Clay County Fair Speedway. Although, at this point, racing fans would be hard pressed to find a 3/8-mile track Schatz doesn't like. The winner of last year's inaugural World of Outlaws race at the Clay County Fair Speedway made his second straight trip to victory lane Wednesay, overtaking pole sitter Kraig Kinser to win for the fifth time in 16 season races on 3/8-mile tracks...

2008 Clay County Fair - Overcast skies keep it cool most of the day (09/11/08)
Overcast skies kept temperatures on the fairgrounds unseasonably cool Wednesday. The wind blew all day, but the day went on as planned, with no moisture during daylight hours to spoil things. The forecast for Thursday isn't as promising, but the shows, events and activities will go on as planned. Contact the fairgrounds for information about the stock car races should the weather become an issue today...

80-year-old marks 50th consecutive year at fair (09/11/08)
The Clay County Fair has been "the destination of a lifetime" every year the last five decades for a New Richland, Minn., man and his wife. Paul Stennes, who marked his 80th birthday Wednesday, and Blossom Stennes, who will celebrate her 73rd birthday next Wednesday, are what you can call "diehard" Clay County Fair enthusiasts...

Sun continues to shine on crowds as fair reaches mid-point (09/10/08)
It was another amazing day at the Clay County Fair Tuesday as temperatures reached about 70 degrees, providing just the right amount of warmth for those traveling the busy walkways. Tuesdays attendance topped 19,000, bringing the four-day total to nearly 150,000 as the fair reaches its midway point today...

Riders raise funds for Shayla Bee Fund (09/10/08)
Riders will hit the road Saturday for a good cause as the Third Annual Clay County Fair Motorcycle Ride, Bike Show and Rodeo will be held to support the Shayla Bee Fund. Motorcycle riders and admirers will have an opportunity to see bikes of all styles, participate in a motorcycle rodeo and see a motorcycle parade through the Clay County Fairgrounds...

World of Outlaws returns to fair (09/10/08)
Spencer, IA -- After the largest crowd in the history of the Clay County Fair Speedway took in all of the action of the inaugural Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event at the track last season, the series will return to the 3/8-mile on Wednesday for a full night of racing...

2008 Clay County Fair (09/09/08)

Mayer talks about life on tour during Spencer stop (09/09/08)
Remember all the free time "Nashville Star" finalist Shawn Mayer was going to have now that the show is over? Well, it isn't going to happen anytime soon for the 21-year-old from May City in Osceola County. Songwriting and the "Nashville Star" tour have been her focus since the NBC country music competition came to a conclusion a month ago. ...

Yearwood dedicates new grandstand stage (09/09/08)
She may not have been the first to perform on the new grandstand stage at the Clay County Fair, but she will be remembered as the first headlining act to break it in. Saturday night, Rockapella opened for country star Trisha Yearwood, so they actually got the first opportunity to take advantage of Spencer's newest state-of-art piece of equipment. ...

New stage dedication to take place during Yearwood concert (09/06/08)
Sure, the performers are going to draw the focus most nights at the 2008 Clay County Fair. But the stage under their feet is worth some attention this year. It's new, it's bigger and it will bring the fair's favorite acts closer to the seats than they've ever been...

ISU Extension Connections at the Clay County Fair (09/05/08)
The public is invited to make an ISU Extension Connection during the 2008 Clay County Fair, Sept. 6-14. Visit the Ag Learning Center (Stub's Stable Building) just west of the small animal barn and connect with ISU Extension staff from northwest Iowa. ISU Extension Field Specialist and County Directors will be on hand to share information, answer questions, and visit with you about what ISU Extension can do for you...

Briefs 9-05-08 (09/05/08)
Fair booster tickets will be sold individually for $5 each, a savings of $2 from the regular daytime gate admission price for adults. Individuals and businesses may take advantage of the savings by purchasing tickets from a fair booster ticket location or a fair booster representative prior to 5 p.m. ...

Fair Treasure Hunt ready to roll (09/05/08)
Clay County fairgoers will have an opportunity to find out just how much they know about agricultural exhibits at the fair, and also have a chance to win great prizes with the second annual "Clay County Fair Ag Treasure Hunt." Visitors will have a chance to pick up a treasure hunt form from any of the fair information centers on the grounds. ...

Publisher interviewed for CBS Sunday Morning 'Dewey' segment (09/05/08)
Daily Reporter Publisher Paula Buenger is interviewed by CBS Sunday Morning's Martha Teichner for a segment that will air later in September regarding the impact of Dewey Readmore Books on the city of Spencer. The piece is tied to the release of former Spencer librarian Vicki Myron's novel, "Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World." Myron will be signing copies of the book during the Clay County Fair...

BatschStein Salsa to add zest to fair (09/04/08)
Iowa's "fine home-made" BatschStein Salsa is now a limited liability corporation. Company founders Ethan Batschelet, 18, and Tyler Steinkamp, 20, began making their Clay County-based concoction when they amassed an extra-bountiful harvest of vegetables in 2006. Today's fine-tuned BatschStein Salsa recipe comes in mild, medium, hot and "super nova" varieties. The duo estimate they've prepared 600 pint jars of salsa between this spring and late summer...

Briefs 9-04-08 (09/04/08)
Arts on Grand will host an "open mic" event at 7 p.m. tonight. This is an excellent opportunity for local artists to share their talents in a casual, supportive environment. Interested musicians, poets, or anyone else who would like to take part may sign up in advance at Arts on Grand or just show up that evening...

Calling all bakers and canners (09/04/08)
Area bakers are encouraged to enter their favorite items at the Clay County Fair. In addition to two open class contests, there are 16 special contests to enter also. All the details and dates are available in the Creative Culinary Premium Book that is available online at www.claycountyfair.com under the agriculture tab. ...

'Nashville Star' finalist plans fair stop (09/04/08)
"Nashville Star" finalist Shawn Mayer is getting a chance to come home -- with the help of the Clay County Fair and local radio stations KICD, CD107.7 and Lite 104.9. Mayer is from May City in rural Osceola County and finished third in NBC's country music competition series this summer. Barring any travel snafus, Mayer will sign autographs from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the KICD Courtyard stage on the fairgrounds...

4-H non-livestock projects displayed at the State Fair (09/03/08)
The following Clay County 4-H members had non-livestock projects selected to represent the county at the Iowa State Fair. The exhibits were judged in Des Moines and exhibited throughout the run of the event. They will also be on display at the 4-H Exhibit Building at the Clay County Fairgrounds during the Clay County Fair...

Briefs 9-03-08 (09/03/08)
The Spencer Area Farmers Market will be held every Wednesday and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to noon in the Southpark Mall parking lot. Come see the homegrown, fresh produce for sale. --- Losing a loved one is indescribable to someone who has not felt the loss of death. ...

Ag Equipment Parades showcase best of farm machinery at fair (09/03/08)
Agricultural Equipment Parades will line the fairgrounds for three days during the 2008 Clay County Fair. The parades will be featured on the first Saturday and Sunday of the fair, September 6 and 7, and the last Friday, September 12. All parades will begin at 11 a.m. and entries will be announced in the KICD Courtyard...

Parkersburg tornado survivors to attend Clay County Fair (09/03/08)
It will be easy to spot the 50 people from Parkersburg who attend this Saturday's opening day of the 2008 Clay County Fair. They'll be wearing this black accessory. Paul Daniels, who has managed the U.S. Cellular stores in Spencer and Storm Lake since October, thinks the busload of tornado survivors Spencer resident Ted Cate is lining up to attend the celebrated annual event are in need of the getaway. ...

ISU Extension Connections at the Clay County Fair (09/02/08)
The public is invited to make an ISU Extension Connection during the 2008 Clay County Fair, Sept. 6-14. Visit the Ag Learning Center (Stub's Stable Building) just west of the small animal barn and connect with ISU Extension staff from northwest Iowa. ISU Extension Field Specialist and County Directors will be on hand to share information, answer questions, and visit with you about what ISU Extension can do for you...

Briefs 9-29-08 (09/02/08)
The Spencer Area Visually Impaired/Blind Self-Help Group will hold its monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m. today in the Round Room of the Spencer Public Library. Individuals of all ages with vision loss are invited to attend. Families and friends are welcome also...

Concert Association season tickets go on sale (09/02/08)
Season tickets for the Spencer Area Concert Association will go on sale Sept. 6 at Arts on Grand and at the Art Barn at the Clay County Fair. The 2008--09 season will be the biggest ever, with eight concerts in Spencer. Along with their season tickets, subscribers will receive an order form for tickets to the Vienna Boys Choir concert on Valentine's Day 2009. Tickets for the Vienna Boys Choir concert will go on sale to the general public on Nov. 1...

CCF2008 COUNTDOWN: 5 days to fair! (09/02/08)
Ahh, the life of showbiz! Always "Hamming It Up." You might say these performers are known for "Hogging The Spotlight". But for good reason. Introducing the world's foremost trained pig show, The Pork Chop Revue. The most amazing stunts and tricks performed by the biggest and most talented pigs you've ever seen...

OCM to host event at Clay County Fair (08/29/08)
LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) is sponsoring a major event to raise awareness about concentration of market power in the seed industry and the impacts on rural Iowa. The event, "Taking It Back: Bringing Fairness and Competition Back to the Seed Industry for Our Farmers," will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11, in the 4H building at the Clay County fairgrounds in Spencer...

Briefs 8-29-08 (08/29/08)
A retirement coffee for Elmer Williams, city of Spencer street superintendent, will take place from 2-4 p.m. today in council chambers at City Hall. --- The Photography Department will be accepting entries from 12-7 p.m. today and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30. The photography department is now located just east of the Pork Producers Chop Shop and directly south of the outdoor horse arena. Pre-registration is encouraged...

Clay County Growers annual field day (08/29/08)
Following a steak dinner, the 2008 Clay County Growers' "field day" featured Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Iowa State University College of Agriculture Dean Dr. Wendy Wintersteen, Dr. Palle Pedersen, an ISU soybean specialist, plot manager Dave Hessman and Paul Kassel, an ISU Extension area agronomist, as speakers Thursday evening in the Clay County Regional Events Center. ...

Briefs 8-28-08 (08/28/08)
Music will return to the gallery at Arts on Grand tonight after a brief hiatus due to Mainstreet Market. This week's music will be provided by popular local entertainers Jerry Roberts and Dennis Wienke. They will perform a variety of traditional music, country music, and rock-and-roll oldies beginning at 7 p.m. A $5 donation is requested, with all proceeds going to the musicians...

Briefs 8-27-08 (08/27/08)
Music will return to the gallery at Arts on Grand this Thursday after a brief hiatus due to Mainstreet Market. This week's music will be provided by popular local entertainers Jerry Roberts and Dennis Wienke. They will perform a variety of traditional music, country music, and rock-and-roll oldies beginning at 7 p.m. A $5 donation is requested, with all proceeds going to the musicians...

National Anthem tryouts for Corbin Bleu concert (08/27/08)
Friday, Sept. 12, National Anthem tryouts for area high school students will be held in the 4-H Auditorium during the Clay County Fair. The winner of the competition will perform the National Anthem before the Corbin Bleu and Drew Seeley concert on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m...

Biden no stranger to Spencer Democrats (08/26/08)
U.S. Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware hoped for the top spot on the ticket less than a year ago when he stopped at the Clay County Fair. Friday he was selected as presumptive nominee Barack Obama's running mate. Democrats hope Biden's expertise in foreign policy and his blue-collar appeal will be a draw for voters in the Nov. 4 general election...

Hessman honored by the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame (08/21/08)
Dave Hessman, former Clay County Extension Education Director, was inducted into the 2008 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 17. Eighty-two Iowa counties have participated this year and selected inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H...

Briefs 8-20-08 (08/20/08)
The Iowa Great Lakes Region Antique Automobile Club will be on display through Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Southpark Mall in south Spencer. Car enthusiasts and history buffs will enjoy this display. On Aug. 24 The Hands of Harmony Swinging Seniors will be entertaining us at 2:30 p.m. Come enjoy the display and entertainment...

Creative Culinary welcomes new contests (08/20/08)
Area culinary masters will be put to the challenge when they participate in new canned goods and oven products contests at the 2008 Clay County Fair. The new contests are sure to please fairgoers and competitors alike. Marking the first of seven new contests is the "Busy Women's Casseroles Contest". ...

Briefs 8-19-08 (08/19/08)
The Iowa Great Lakes Region Antique Automobile Club will be on display through Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Southpark Mall in south Spencer. Car enthusiasts and history buffs will enjoy this display. On Aug. 24 The Hands of Harmony Swinging Seniors will be entertaining us at 2:30 p.m. Come enjoy the display and entertainment...

Local competitors 'fair' well (08/16/08)
Several Clay County residents participated in judged events at the Iowa State Fair. Here are some of the local results: Breeding Beef Dustin Biedenfeld, Peterson, Limousine, Purple- Reserve Champion and Blue; Jenna Biedenfeld, Peterson, Limousin, Purple;...

Living History Farms sells plot to developer (08/14/08)
DES MOINES (AP) -- Living History Farms has sold 40 acres of its land to create an endowment that would help finance the museum's operations. Polk County Recorder records show the sale was finalized at the end of July to S&S Heritage Park LLC, which paid nearly $7.2 million for the property...

'People's Choice Salsa Contest' to tempt fairgoers taste buds (08/14/08)
A new and inventive competition, the "People's Choice Salsa Contest", comes to the 2008 Clay County Fair. The contest will be on Saturday, Sept. 13 and is part of the Creative Culinary division which includes competitive categories in canned goods and oven products...

McCain has invite to Clay County Fair (08/14/08)
State Rep. Mike May, a Spirit Lake Republican, said he has been in contact with the John McCain campaign and hopes the likely Republican nominee will include Spencer's biggest event in a post-convention victory tour. The 2008 Republican National Convention will take place Sept. 1-4 in Minneapolis. The 2008 edition of the Clay County Fair is Sept. 6-14. Along with timing, crowd numbers can't hurt the odds of a Spencer visit -- the fair drew more than 319,000 visitors in 2007...

Milford woman wins Iowa Lottery promotion (08/13/08)
DES MOINES -- A northwest Iowa woman drove away from the Iowa State Fair in a new, 2008 four-wheel drive Chevy Tahoe Hybrid�, the grand-prize in the Iowa Lottery's "Set of Wheels" promotion. Nancy Fear of Milford was selected as the grand-prize winner in the promotion drawing Thursday on the Susan Knapp Amphitheater stage at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Fear said she was excited to share the news with her adult children...

Briefs 8-13-08 (08/13/08)
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Hartley, is sponsoring a community-wide benefit for the family of Jan Hall to help defray medical bills incurred during Jan's battle with illness. The free-will dinner and auction will be held at the Hartley Community Center on Thursday, Aug. ...