SPENCER, Iowa -- The "World's Greatest County Fair," the Clay County Fair is fast approaching. Here's what you need to know to make the most of your visit:
Special days
-- Sept. 14is Veteran's Appreciation Day. Veterans receive free admission and there is a special parade and appreciation program.
-- Sept. 15is Senior Day and Family Night. During the day, those ages 65 and older will be admitted for $6. After 5 p.m., there will be free gate admission for everyone as part of Family Night. The evening's events include the Iowa State University Insect Zoo and the Iowa Cowboy Mounted Shooters.
-- Sept. 16is Disability Awareness Day and Iowa Pork Day, with pork displays and activities at Central Park during the day.
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-- Sept. 17is Farmer Appreciation Day and Iowa Corn Day. Central Park will have special exhibits and presentations on the importance of corn in Iowa and beyond. Farmers can get one free admission to the fair with a coupon.
-- Sept. 18is Kid's Day and Iowa Dairy Day. Activities in Central Park will center around the dairy industry. As part of Kid's Day, all fairgoers age 18 and under will receive free gate admission and all-day Midway wristbands can be purchased for $21. Additional special activities taking place include the Kids Pedal Pull and Kids Got Talent.
-- Sept. 20is Last Chance Day with many ways to enjoy the final day of the fair at a reduced cost. Adult admission will be $5, and there will be special deals from various vendors at the fair.
What's new?
• Farm Gadget Show:Farm innovations of all kinds will be on display at the Clay County Fair's first open class Farm Gadget Show. Gadgets will be on display in and around the Innovation Pavilion in the southwest corner of the fairgrounds.
"It's hard to know what to expect," said Karen Schwaller, Farm Gadget Show superintendent. "We know there are farmers out there that are very innovative and creative. If they need something on the farm they will start welding and making things to make the job easier. There will be some pretty creative, resourceful and useful things in the lineup."
• Cellphone Photography classin the photography competition: Photography is one of the largest competitive departments of the fair, so organizers added a new category to create a new challenge. The theme for the class is "Gotcha."
• New livestock divisions:A purebred Rambouillet sheep show and North American Classic Series single-draft horse cart class.
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There were 2,520 open class livestock exhibits entered in 2014.
"Livestock competition is a cornerstone of the fair experience," said Jeremy Parsons, Clay County Fair manager. "Our goal is to constantly expand our livestock shows to give more people the opportunity to show."
Afternoon Grandstand entertainment
Sept. 12: Chuckwagon Race
Sept. 13: Chuckwagon Race
Sept. 14: Simon Estes
Sept. 17: Producers Hybrids NTPA Truck & Tractor Pull
Sept. 19: Truck Pull Nationals Iowa Pullers Garden Tractors and Mini-Rod Pull
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Evening Grandstand entertainment
Sept. 12: RaeLynn with Kelsey K. and Casey Muessigmann
Sept. 13: Herman's Hermits with Gary Pucket and The Union Gap
Sept. 14: Oak Ridge Boys with Jimmy Fortune
Sept. 15: Casting Crowns with For King & Country
Sept. 16: Q102IMCA Championships
Sept. 17: Producers Hybrids NTPA Truck & Tractor Pull
Sept. 18: Arnold Motor Supply World of Outlaws Shootout
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Sept. 19: Halestorm with We are Harlot
Sept. 20: Little Big Town with Ashley Monroe
