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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.

The 2008 Clay County Fair Museum, located under the grandstand, will highlight the 1918 fair and pay homage to earlier fairs that were instrumental in the development of the new fair association. Loaned from the Parker Museum collection will be a framed diploma awarded to Mrs. Jane Auringer for her best tomato and muskmelon sauces in 1871, and a woven and embroidered picture created by Hannah Newell. It won a prize at the fair previous to the 1887 fair. Other items of interest related to the 1918 fair will include a Warren Brother's band leader uniform, saxophone, cymbals and contract, premium book and ribbons.

From the beginning, it was the intention of the Clay County Fair Board members to stage a fair that was equal to, if not better than, many state fairs. Information found in the Clay County Fair Museum exhibits document this passion for a high- quality event.

A new feature will be the Parker Museum Traveling Exhibit project that condenses the 90-year history into eight story panels. The exhibit consists of four 84'' x 42''panels that can be configured to fit most spaces. This exhibit was funded in part by a Department of Cultural Affairs Iowa Community Cultural Grant, Renaissance Initiative Grant, Clay County Community Foundation Community Betterment Grant, Clay County Fair Association and Parker Historical Society of Clay County. Parker Museum staff will be available to share information about how to host the exhibit in other museums, banks, care facilities and schools.