The leader of the Clay County Fair in Spencer is the next leader of the Iowa State Fair. Jeremy Parsons will take over in early March to replace Gary Slater, who announced in October that he was retiring after leading the State Fair since 2001. Parsons is familiar with the Iowa State Fair after … [Read more...]
Iowa State Fair leader announces retirement
The CEO and Manager of the Iowa State Fair is retiring. Gary Slater is a Missouri native who served as manager of the Missouri State Fair and the World Pork Expo before taking the top job at the Iowa State Fair 21 years ago. During his tenure, the Iowa State Fair topped the one million attendance … [Read more...]
Renovation plan announced for livestock barns at the Iowa State Fair
The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation has announced plans to spend millions of dollars to renovate the livestock barns on the fairgrounds. Foundation executive director, Peter Cownie, says the cattle, horse, sheep, and swine barns will each get an update. "The structures themselves are … [Read more...]
Iowa State Fair ends run with big crowds and great weather
The Iowa State Fair wrapped up Sunday after an 11-day run topping the one-million mark again. State Fair CEO Gary Slater says there were not many negatives. "The Fair is just tremendous this year -- smooth running and whatnot, There's a little devil in some of the details, but nothing that is any … [Read more...]
Iowa State Fair queen heads to ISU Monday, to study ag engineering
August has been a busy month for an 18-year-old from northern Iowa who is the 2022 Iowa State Fair Queen. Mary Ann Fox of Osage was crowned the queen of the Mitchell County Fair on August 3, Ten days later she won this year's State Fair Queen contest. "It was quick, it was exciting and I like … [Read more...]
Thousands expected to attend as Iowa State Fair opens
The Iowa State Fair opened today the chair of the Fair board started things off "I officially declare the Iowa State Fair 2022 officially open for business," she says. "Find Your Fun" is the theme of the 11-day fair. State Fair CEO, Gary Slater, says there's plenty to watch and do. "All in all … [Read more...]
Mason City native’s ‘Music Man’ to be featured alongside Iowa State Fair butter cow
“The Music Man” will be celebrated at the Iowa State Fair this year with a butter sculpture to go along with the fair’s famous butter cow. Butter sculptor Sarah Pratt says she took a tip from the fair's original butter sculptor and started keeping a list of ideas for future sculptures, and the … [Read more...]
‘Sensory Friendly’ day planned for Iowa State Fair
The Iowa State Fair is known for its unique sights and sounds during its summer run -- but this year the iconic event is going to tone it down for part of a day. State Fair spokesperson, Mindy Williamson, says they are planning their first ever "Sensory-Friendly" morning at the Fair. "And what … [Read more...]
Iowa State Fair attendance dropped, but still topped one million
Iowa State Fair Attendance topped one million people (1,094,480) in its return after being canceled by COVID in 2020. Fair spokesperson Mindy Williamson says it was a good comeback. "We didn't know what to expect in 2021 after not having a fair in 2020, so all of our expectations were just blown … [Read more...]
Iowa State Fair wraps up return run
The Iowa State Fair wrapped up its 11-day run Sunday and will evidently come up short on setting any attendance records. The final tallies will be out soon, but fair officials say they're confident the event drew more than one million people this year, but will not exceed the attendance record … [Read more...]