163rd annual Clayton County Fair runs Aug. 2-7 in National
The kiddie calf shows are always a highlight at the Clayton County Fair, held this year Aug. 2-7. (NIT file photo)
From live entertainment and carnival rides to livestock showing and good food, the 163rd annual Clayton County Fair, held Aug. 2-7 in National, offers something for the whole family.
Clayton County 4-H and FFA members have entered nearly 3,000 exhibits this year, according to Tammy Muller, county 4-H and youth program coordinator. Entries are up in the market beef, bucket bottle calves, clothing event and Clover Kids divisions.
The 4-H exhibit hall, featuring projects ranging from art to engineering, will be open to viewers Wednesday beginning at 4 p.m., then Thursday through Sunday starting at noon.
The fair’s popular kiddie calf shows will be held in the large arena, with the dairy show beginning at noon and the beef show immediately following. The little piglet show, now in its second year, will begin after the beef kiddie calf show, in the small arena.
For a complete list of show times for livestock and other animals, please visit claytoncountyfair.com.
Fair activities will get in full swing Wednesday, Aug. 2, with the flag-raising ceremony and crowning of the 2017 fair queen at 6:30 p.m. The 4-H Style Show and Share the Fun Show will follow at 7 p.m.
On Thursday, Aug. 3, the evening’s entertainment will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the skid loader rodeo, held for the first time last year, which will test individuals’ skills as he/she operates through an obstacle.
At 7:30 p.m., country music artist Sammy Kershaw will take the grandstand stage.
Friday, Aug. 4, at 8 p.m., country star Mickey Gilley will entertain fair-goers on the grandstand stage.
Saturday’s activities include a kiddie tractor pull at 1 p.m. The demolition derby will also get underway at that time. Magician Keith Leff Magicomedy will stroll the grounds from 1 to 5 p.m., creating magically memorable moments for fair-goers. At 5 p.m., head to the grandstands to watch the stick pony rodeo, followed by the Clayton County Bull Bash at 7 p.m. At 10 p.m., the fair will have movie night.
On Sunday, Aug. 6, the truck and tractor pull kicks off at 11 a.m. Kids can take part in the Youth Olympics, held in the large arena, at 2:30 p.m. Celebrity donkey races, which will take place at the grandstands at 5 p.m., will leave you laughing.
The fair will wrap up Monday, Aug. 7, with the livestock auction, which begins at 9 a.m.
Enjoy free carnival rides throughout the fair, beginning Wednesday evening. The midway is operated by Amusement Associates, LLC, and consists of 10 to 12 rides plus games and concessions. All games, concessions and the mechanical bull will require payment.
The commercial exhibit hall will be open daily at noon, beginning on Thursday, Aug. 4.
The Clayton County Historic Preservation Commission has also brought the Iowa Mobile History Museum to the fair. The bus, featuring Iowa historical displays, can be viewed beginning Wednesday, Aug. 2, at 12:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, the exhibit will be open starting at 9:30 a.m. On Sunday, it will open at 12:30 p.m. The exhibit will close each day between 8 and 9:30 p.m.
For a more detailed Clayton County Fair schedule and additional information about the events and entertainment, please go to claytoncountyfair.com, check the “Clayton County Fair” Facebook page or see the ad on page 12.
