County Fairs

Vegas headliner Fator to perform at 2010 Fair (03/02/10)
One of the top grossing acts in Las Vegas will be making a stop in Spencer at the Clay County Fair as part of his very limited late summer tour stops. Terry Fator, season two winner of the popular reality show America's Got Talent, will bring his entire Las Vegas Show to the 2010 Clay County Fair at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept.14, at 7:30 p.m...

Applications sought for 2010 Clay County Fair Queen (02/18/10)
The search is under way for candidates to compete for the title of Clay County Fair Queen. The winner, to be crowned Sunday, April 18, will reign over this year's Clay County Fair and will also compete for the State Fair Queen title. Females between the ages of 16 and 21 by Aug.12, the first day of the 2010 Iowa State Fair, may apply. ...

Ag Outlook turns focus to future (02/13/10)
The 26th Annual Northwest Iowa Ag Outlook Conference and Trade Show will be held Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Clay County Regional Events Center on the Clay County Fairgrounds in Spencer and will feature an industry trade show and an agricultural forum...

Big turnout for Oak Ridge Boys (12/22/09)
Richard Sterban - who sings bass for The Oak Ridge Boys - performs in front of a audience of over 1900 Sunday, December 19 at the Clay County Regional Event Center. The group, which has performed at the Clay County Fair, performed many of their classics as well as new material...

Poet laureate to headline 'Written Word' event (11/17/09)
In February 2009, Governor Chet Culver announced Mary Swander's appointment as Poet Laureate of the State of Iowa. For Swander, a graduate of the University of Iowa Writers Workshop and a Distinguished Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University, this was just the latest of a long string of awards, including an Iowa Author's Award in 2006 and the Carl Sandburg Literary Award in 1981...

Flagfest Youth Ambassador search under way (11/14/09)
The 26th annual summer festival Flagfest will include a variety of activities, including the selection of the Flagfest Youth Ambassador. Applications are being accepted from area youths interested in participating in the competition. If selected the 2010 Flagfest Youth Ambassador, the youth will represent Spencer and the surrounding area during various events, including Flagfest, Ag Outlook Ag Breakfast, Clay County Fair Booth, St. Pat's Parade and other area events and parades...

City postpones action on Casey's store proposal (10/16/09)
Members of the Spencer Planning and Zoning Commission held off on plans to re-plat an area near the Clay County Fairgrounds to accommodate a Casey's General Store relocation and expansion. The Clay County Fair is selling the company a 200-by-200 foot lot on the northwest corner of Fourth Avenue West and West 18th Street to facilitate a newer and larger convenience store. Planning and Zoning Commission members have unresolved questions for Casey's project developers...

'Creating Grand Opportunities' -- a communitywide strategic plan (10/09/09)
Tarrel Storey and Dan Heissel, co-chairs of the Spencer Vision Coordinating Committee, unveiled a 36-project plan designed to make Spencer a better place to "Live Work and Play." Building on a theme originating with the Iowa Great Lakes Corridor of Opportunity, a team of approximately 40 Spencer area residents worked together under the label, "Spencer Area Strategic Planning Team," dedicating four-plus hours a month for the past 12 months to come up the project bases designed to build on the assets that Spencer already offers.. ...

Ag reps encouraged, warned about future of industry (09/19/09)
While times may be tough, nearly 100 agricultural representatives were encouraged to keep their chins up and focus on the prize during a luncheon held Thursday at the Clay County Fair. ...

Labor of love results in win (09/19/09)
A garment sewn with love earned its creator the top prize, Best Overall, in the Textile Division of the Creative Living Center of the Clay County Fair. Cindy McGranahan, who's daytime job is director of the Parker Historical Society of Clay County, took the honor with a wedding dress, designed and sewn for her son's fiancé...

Hogs, heart and help (09/18/09)
Three years ago, when Jerry Faulkner, grandfather of Shayla Kaye Rohrbaugh, was working to establish a special fund to assist working class families with medical needs in his late grandchild's honor, he said, "...I hope it to be a legacy instead of just a one- or two-year thing."...

Krause stumps for Grassley's seat at fair (09/15/09)
U.S. Senate aspirant Bob Krause (D-Fairfield) campaigned Saturday at the Clay County Fair. The 59-year-old, who acknowledges he faces stiff odds in his bid to defeat Iowa's senior senator, readily recited the handful of colorful statements his foe has made over the last few months, recited the incumbent's voting record and then forecast "that the winds they are a changing." ...

Fair means family for so many (09/15/09)
Fair means family to me. Always has. Always will. It means a house filled throughout the week with weary, over-sugared, dust-covered family members who return from a full day of caring for and showing livestock. They seek a shower, a hot meal and a comfortable bed...

Vicki Myron's children's book to appear at Clay County Fair (09/10/09)
Vicki Myron will have her children's book available at the Clay County Fair. For a story on the children's book and her new projects associated with Dewey Readmore Books, see Thursday's Daily Reporter.

Preview food, fun before fair begins (09/10/09)
Enjoy the 2009 Clay County Fair before it officially opens with the Fantastic Friday Preview from 6 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Sept. 11. The Clay County Fair Midway will be the feature of the Fantastic Friday Preview with rides operating all evening. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to experience a taste of the fair in the Events Center Grand Ballroom with various food vendors on hand...

Opinion: It's about time for a fair (09/10/09)
Cool, sunny days and downright chilly nights? Check. A tint of gold in the formerly green fields of northwest Iowa? Check. A certain excitement in the air? Check. It must be time for the Clay County Fair. In the middle of a typical Iowa summer, it's hard to think about fall, and the fair. But, it seems you blink, and there it is...

It's about time for a fair (09/08/09)
Cool, sunny days and downright chilly nights? Check. A tint of gold in the formerly green fields of northwest Iowa? Check. A certain excitement in the air? Check. It must be time for the Clay County Fair. In the middle of a typical Iowa summer, it's hard to think about fall, and the fair. But, it seems you blink, and there it is...

'Big Star -- Little Star Entertainment' gives youth a time to shine (09/01/09)
On Friday, Sept. 18, third through eighth grade students are welcome to showcase their talent on stage in the 4-H Auditorium at the Clay County Fair. "Big Star -- Little Star Entertainment" is a talent presentation set to go on Friday afternoon in the 4-H Auditorium. ...

Peterson artist paints her lifelong passion (07/25/09)
Barb McGee has been drawing them from the time she could hold a pencil. But it wasn't until she turned 13, opened the pages of "Quarter Horse Journal" and saw the beautiful painted equines by Darol Dickinson and the late Orren Mixer that her fate was sealed. ..

Extreme Am VI events announced (07/25/09)
Celebrating six years this year, Spencer's Extreme Am skateboard competition and festival will take place over the course of two days at East Leach Park Skatepark on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16. This free event offers amateur skateboarders from around the region to come together and compete in three competitions: Freestyle, vert and big air. ...

Peters, Stewart wed at Clay County Fair site (07/23/09)
Monica Harig Peters and Jimmy Stewart were united in marriage June 6, 2009, at the Sundholm Environmental Center Log Cabin on the Clay County Fairgrounds, Spencer. Pastor Scott Meier officiated the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Randy and Joni Harig of Spencer and Ellie Johnson of Spencer. The groom is the son of Charlie and Sandy Stewart of Langdon and Arlene Stewart of Spencer...

Briefs 7/21/09 (07/21/09)
The annual Clay County 4-H Achievement Day will be held on Tuesday, July 21 in the 4-H Auditorium on the Clay County Fairgrounds. The event will begin at 8 a.m. and end about 5 p.m. Achievement Day is a mini-fair for Clay County 4-Hers. Due to the fact that our county youth are in school during the Clay County Fair, this event provides an opportunity for 4-H members to bring their project exhibit work to be judged. ...

Chow down before the checkered flag (07/21/09)
Race fans will have something to sample before the Summer Shootout races Thursday night at the Clay County Fairgrounds. Food vendors will be serving up a tailgate-style barbecue meal from 5-7 p.m. in the U.S. Cellular Plaza (hoop building) located south of the Grandstands...

Elliott named top writer in festival contest (07/07/09)
Iowa singer/songwriter Chad Elliott was recently named the winner of the Woody Guthrie Festival songwriting contest with his original song, "Same Old Way." "It is such an honor for me to receive this. Woody Guthrie has been very influential on me as a songwriter. The song that won first place is all about walking down the highway and facing change, something Woody knew too well," Elliott said...

More on Don Veitch (07/01/09)
The Greenville native, with expressive eyes and a subtle smile, can paint a rosy picture for even the grimmest of tales. Don Veitch's long-held philosophy is: "There are no bad days. Some days are just better than others." The 86-year-old Spencer resident was handed a "real low number" over six decades ago, which meant he didn't have very long to wait before being drafted...

Fair's Floriculture Department taking reservations (05/29/09)
The Clay County Fair's Floriculture Department is in full bloom and preparing for the 2009 fair, Sept.12 -- 20. Reservations are now being taken for the Saturday Design and Exhibition Table classes and Wednesday Design classes during the fair. As in past years, the Floriculture Department will be continually changing throughout the length of the fair. Exhibits can be found on the north end of the Creative Living Center. The first weekend of the fair will showcase the Gladiolus, with entries being accepted that Saturday until 10:30 a.m. Roses, Arboreal, Annuals and Perennials will be entered beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday night and will be displayed through Wednesday. The Container-grown Plants, Open Class Artistic Arrangements and Collages will be accepted after 6 p.m. on Wednesday and will be displayed throughout Thursday and Friday. Dahlias will round-out the fair with entries being accepted at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19 and will be display until the end of the fair on Sunday. Entries for the design classes do not have to be grown by the exhibitor, but horticulture classes must be grown and entered by the same exhibitor. Although there are currently no specified youth classes, the department welcomes young people to enroll their projects into the open class categories. Beginner entrants or those not interested in making a floral design are encouraged to enter in the Artistic Crafts class. Lots in the class include decorated packages, a corsage or contrived flower ornaments. Exhibitors are welcome to enter their Artistic Crafts at the fair after 6 p.m. on Wednesday and no reservation is needed. The exhibits for this class must include a plant material. Judging will be continual throughout the fair, as the different classes are on display. Judges for the Clay County Fair are accredited by the National Federation of Garden Club, Inc. Exhibits will be on display in the Creative Living Center throughout the entire fair. Any questions regarding the Floriculture Department may be directed to Twila Henning at 262-1447 or Lola Campney at 262-7437. Premium books may be picked up at the Clay County Fair office or accessed online at www.claycountyfair.com. * For additional information visit www.claycountyfair.com or call 712-262-4740.

'World's Longest Running Phantom' returns to 'World's Greatest County Fair' (05/12/09)
Franc D'Ambrosio, known for the longest-running portrayal of the Phantom from Andrew Lloyd Weber's The Phantom of the Opera, will be making a return appearance at the 2009 Clay County Fair. D'Ambrosio will perform two shows in the Events Center Grand Ballroom on Saturday, September 19, at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., with a meet and greet from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m...

Fundraiser tops $13,000 for Arts on Grand (05/05/09)
Martin Arthur, executive director of Arts on Grand, shows Arts on Grand Telethon host Jill Barr miniature replicas of the new piece of artwork that has been chosen as part of a contest for a new piece of art for Spencer. Multiple artists submitted ideas for the project, and William Lieb's sculpture "Letting Go" will be the first public work of art commissioned by SPACE. ...

Blue Collar Comedy Tour's Engvall headed to Fair's grandstand (04/25/09)
Comedic sensation, Bill Engvall, will appear in front of the Grandstands the first Saturday of the Clay County Fair, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12. Engvall, a Texas native, didn't originally aspire to be a comedy star. In fact, he worked as a disc jockey with plans of becoming a teacher. ...

Salton crowned 2009 Clay County Fair Queen (04/21/09)

ACM award winner Adkins returning to fair (04/21/09)
The 2009 Clay County Fair will feature a night with a pair of country's hottest stars on Sunday, Sept. 20. Louisiana-native Trace Adkins, burst onto the county scene in 1996 with his debut album Dreamin' Out Loud. The album garnered his first Billboard number one hit with "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing." Other hit singles produced from that album including "Every Light in the House" and "I Left Something Turned on at Home."...

Nineteen seek Clay County Fair crown (04/09/09)
Nineteen area young ladies will vie for the Clay County Fair Queen title on Sunday, April 19. The winner will reign over the Clay County Fair Sept. 12-20 and will compete for the State Fair Queen title in Des Moines in August. She will also participate in various celebrations throughout the summer. A first runner-up will be named in the event the queen cannot complete her duties...

Iconic female rock band, Heart, to take stage at the '09 Fair (04/04/09)
Classic rock band Heart, led by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, will perform at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18 on the Clay County Fair Grandstand Stage. Formed in Seattle, Heart has often been credited as one of the first mainstream rock bands where women were in complete creative control. ...

City to consider West 18th storm shelter (03/14/09)
Fairgoers could have additional shelter and a safer route to the Clay County Fairgrounds under a proposal that will be considered by Spencer City Council members at their 6:30 p.m. meeting Monday night. Spencer City Manager Bob Fagen is requesting authorization to send a Notice of Intent (NOI) to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a proposed storm shelter on West 18th Street...

Storm shelter, culvert route possible for Fair (03/11/09)
Emergency management officials may have an unexpected option for shelter space at the Clay County Fair. Ted Kourousis, executive director of Northwest Iowa Planning and Development is working with Iowa Department of Homeland Security about the potential of creating shelter space, under West 18th Street, for the fairgrounds...

Gaither Vocal Band booked for Clay County Fair (03/10/09)
The first act announced for the 2009 Clay County Fair is an award-winning one. The multi-Grammy winning Southern Gospel and contemporary Christian music group, Gaither Vocal Band, is scheduled to appear in front of the Clay County Fair Grandstand at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13...

Six teens will vie for Miss Shamrock Sunday (03/03/09)
The 2009 Miss Shamrock Pageant will be held at 7 p.m., Sunday, March 8 at Corrigan Hall in Emmetsburg. There are six contestants in the pageant. Competition in the Miss Shamrock Pageant includes an interview with the panel of judges, introduction in casual wear, talent performance, formal wear and an on-stage question...

Clay County Fair Queen deadline approaching (03/03/09)
The March 6 deadline is quickly approaching for contestants to enter and compete for the title of Clay County Fair Queen. The winner, to be crowned Sunday, April 19, will reign over this year's Clay County Fair Sept. 12-20, and will also compete for the State Fair Queen title...

Venuworks, Clay County Fair extend contract (02/21/09)
Venuworks and the Clay County Fair Board have signed a five-year agreement for Venuworks to continue its management contract at the Clay County Regional Events Center. The Clay County Regional Events Center, located in Spencer, the regional hub for health care, retail, government services and entertainment in northwest Iowa, serves patrons from southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska and southeast South Dakota...

Spencer band members to participate in BVU Honor Band (02/21/09)
The 28th Annual Buena Vista University Honor Band Festival will be held on Feb. 28. Both the Spencer Middle School and Spencer High School bands will be well represented on performance night. Appearing on behalf of the middle school: Rachel Dole, flute; Kelsey Morisch, oboe; Tiffany Martindale, clarinet; Amber Ellis, clarinet, Sean McCord, tuba, Sam Koppen, tuba, and Tory Soma, tuba. ...

Ag Outlook to fill Events Center Tuesday (02/14/09)
The 25th Annual Northwest Iowa Ag Outlook Conference and Trade Show will be held Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Over 90 exhibitors will take part in the free public event featuring an industry trade show and agricultural forum...

SHS students qualify for All-State festival for 34th consecutive year (02/11/09)
Drama students from Spencer High School competed against 92 other schools and an estimated 2,000 students at the Northwest Iowa State Large Group Speech Contest at Spencer High School on Saturday, Feb. 7. Spencer entered 15 different groups in the areas of one-act play, choral reading, readers' theatre, musical theatre, ensemble acting, group mime, solo mime, and group improvisation. ...

Daily Reporter recognized with INA honors (02/11/09)
The Daily Reporter, serving Spencer and neighboring communities, was recognized with six first place awards in the small dailies category at the 2009 Iowa Newspaper Association Convention in Des Moines Friday night. All totaled, the Daily Reporter received recognition in 14 categories at the annual event, competing in the Dailies Class 1 which includes papers with circulations under 10,000...

Fair inks deal with IMCA, Arnold Motor Supply for racing series (01/24/09)
The Clay County Fair, along with International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) sanctioned race organizer Joe Ringsdorf and Arnold Motor Supply, have locked in dates for the 2009 Arnold Motor Supply Summer Shootout auto racing series. The three-race series, sponsored by Arnold Motor Supply, will include two sanctioned classes of IMCA Modifieds and Stock Cars, plus two classes of 360 Modifieds and Hobby Stocks...

Amis inducted into Iowa Fair Hall of Fame (12/17/08)
The Board of Directors of the Association of Iowa Fairs inducted Everett Amis of Greenville in Clay County into the Association of Iowa Fair's "Hall of Fame". The honor was presented to the Everett at the Awards Banquet during the Association's 2008 Conference and Annual Meeting, which was held Dec. 5-7 at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines...

Four days of holiday activities begin tonight (12/04/08)
Begin the holiday season by attending an Evening Gala Premier at Parker Museum, 300 E. Third St., from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, where you're invited for a first look at 11 holiday-decorated rooms; and wrap up the weekend with the Festival of Choirs on Sunday afternoon at Sacred Heart Catholic Church...

Festival of Choirs to offer ''Lessons and Carols' (11/25/08)
The Christmas story will be told through song and scripture at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7 when the Festival of Choirs takes place at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer. Nine Spencer churches will present "A Festival of Lessons and Carols," based on the ancient service held annually in King's College Chapel of Cambridge, England...

Festival offers early dose of the Christmas spirit (11/18/08)
The fourth annual Festival of Trees sponsored by the Spencer Regional Healthcare Foundation provided the necessary holiday kick-off atmosphere for the large numbers of families who stopped by to enjoy the collection of decorated Christmas trees, bid on some auction items, and allow the children an opportunity to spend the morning with the Clauses and some local elves. ...

Spencer to be represented at Northwest Iowa High School Honor Band Festival (11/14/08)
Approximately 225 high school musicians from 44 area high schools will combine their talents for the 55th annual Northwest Iowa Honor Band Festival at 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009 in Eppley Auditorium at the Morningside College Campus in Sioux City...

Festival of Trees continues through Saturday (11/13/08)
The fourth annual Festival of Trees sponsored by the Spencer Regional Healthcare Foundation will be held at the Clay County Regional Events Center through Saturday with the Festival's Tour of Homes on Nov. 15. his event provides enjoyable activities for people of all ages, including a "Festival Luncheon," Morning with Santa," "Holiday Tour of Homes" and, of course, opportunities to view many splendidly decorated trees as well as festive tables and holiday displays...

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