Parsons reflects on time with Clay County Fair

A dozen years hold a lot of memories. Just ask Jeremy Parsons.

After leading the Clay County Fair since 2011, Parsons will wrap up his tenure as CEO and fair manager next month. Soon, he will head south to Des Moines to take the reigns of the Iowa State Fair.

"It's the culmination of a lifelong dream," Parsons said. "My 'fair roots' were started at the Iowa State Fair."

Parsons listed several accomplishments as highlights of his tenure in Spencer. Combining the Fair & Events Center into one organization, introducing electronic ticketing, investing several million dollars into capital improvements, upgrading guest services, diversifying Grandstand lineups and surviving the pandemic all came to mind.

"My goal every day has been to make the Clay County Fair better than it was the day before," he said. "I will definitely miss the people. I have so many great memories of people who dedicate their lives each year to make us The World's Greatest County Fair."

Parsons was officially named the next CEO and manager of the Iowa State Fair in January. He will succeed Gary Slater, who announced his retirement in October of 2022 after logging 21 years in the position.

"We could not be more excited to announce the transition of CEO and Fair Manager to Jeremy Parsons," Iowa State Fair Board President Darwin Gaudian said in a news release. "His long list of fair credentials, his community involvement, his leadership skills and his passion for the fair industry are the perfect combination to lead the Iowa State Fair into the future."

Parsons has dreamed of leading the Iowa State Fair since he was a young child. During a school project that required students to report on what they wanted to be when they grew up, he picked fair manager. Parsons was able to maintain a friendship with one of his interviewees for the project, then Iowa State Fair CEO Marion Lucas, who opened doors for Parsons later on that allowed him to grow in his career.

"It is an honor to have been chosen to serve as caretaker for one of Iowa's most beloved institutions," he said. "The Iowa State Fair holds a special place in my heart and I am humbled to join the team responsible for building upon the fair's rich heritage and traditions."

While Parsons was thrilled about getting called to the big show, he remained grateful for his time in Clay County. He hoped local residents could be proud that their fair manager was chosen to lead the Iowa State Fair.

"Words cannot express my tremendous feelings towards The World's Greatest County Fair and the unbelievable experience I have had here," he said. "This is a great place, and it has taken a great opportunity to pull me and my family away from a job I truly have enjoyed."