Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Special theme days at 2024 Clay County Fair
There is something for everyone at the 2024 Clay County Fair powered by SMU, Sept. 7-15. With a packed schedule featuring special days, every day at the fair promises something new and exciting for visitors of all ages.
Saturday, Sept. 7, Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative Day: Sponsored by Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, fairgoers can get an up-close look at a large basket truck and meet their local co-op representatives.
Saturday, Sept. 7, Iowa vs. Iowa State Game Day: Sponsored by Dish, fans can watch who takes home the Cy-Hawk trophy from the fairgrounds.
Monday, Sept. 9, Veteran’s Appreciation Day: Sponsored by Tyson Turkey, all veterans and active-duty military will receive free admission to the fair as a thank you for their service. This particular day will feature a Veterans Day parade at 10 a.m. around the fairgrounds, followed by a Veterans Day program at 11 a.m. in the Events Center Ballroom. Glenn Henriksen will also perform a special Salute to Veterans Show at 2 p.m. in the Events Center Ballroom.
Tuesday, Sept. 10, Senior Day: Fairgoers aged 65 and older can enjoy $8 admission. The day will also feature a vintage tractor parade at 10 a.m. around the Fair.
Tuesday, Sept. 10, FFA Day: Sponsored by C&B Operations, local FFA students will have an exciting day with the unique opportunity to hear from Carter Howell, a National FFA Officer, during his keynote presentation and leadership workshop in the Events Center Ballroom.
Wednesday, Sept. 11, Disability Awareness Day: Sponsored by Agriland, Inc., the Clay County Fair will host a day dedicated to disabled persons, featuring exclusive events (pre-registration required).
Wednesday, Sept. 11, First Responders Day: New to the 2024 Clay County Fair, this special day will feature $8 admission for all first responders. A First Responders Program will occur in the Events Center Ballroom at 11 a.m., followed by a demonstration by the Iowa State Patrol K-9 Unit at 12:30 p.m. First Responders Day is sponsored by Your Life Iowa, a program from Iowa HHS.
Thursday, Sept. 12, Iowa Corn Day and Farmers Appreciation Day: Sponsored by the Iowa Corn Growers Association and CFE, this day will feature exhibits and presentations showcasing the importance of agriculture in Iowa and beyond.
Friday, Sept. 13, Kids Day: Kids 12 and under are admitted free all day and can buy a special all-day wristband for unlimited rides on the GoldStar Amusements Midway, which opens at 10 a.m.
Friday, Sept. 13, Iowa Dairy Day: Sponsored by the Western Iowa Dairy Alliance, fairgoers will learn about the importance of the dairy industry in Iowa through various displays and activities at Central Park.
Friday, Sept. 13, Rosenboom Day: Sponsored by Rosenboom, the day will feature a unique display in Central Park to mark the company’s 50th anniversary.
Friday, Sept. 13, Kwik Star Day: Sponsored by Kwik Star, who will be present in Tower Gate Pavilion throughout all nine days of the fair and is the sponsor of Gate G. Kwik Star is also supporting the Justin Moore concert with special guest War Hippies on Thursday, Sept. 12.
Saturday, Sept. 14, Science Saturday: Sponsored by Iowa Lakes Community College and ISU Extension Clay County, fairgoers of all ages can participate in hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities and experiments in various locations throughout the fair.
Janssen hired as NWI RSVP director
The Northwest Iowa RSVP program has hired Gabrielle Janssen as its new director. She started her duties last month on the Emmetsburg campus of Iowa Lakes Community College.
Janssen, a recent graduate of Luther College and an Emmetsburg native, received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Religion. Fully immersed in college activities, Janssen worked in Luther College’s career center, helping students prepare themselves developmentally to apply their studies and practical experiences to career pursuits.
Janssen served as a worship technology coordinator for Luther College Ministries, providing networking opportunities to improve college-to-community engagement. Most recently, Janssen served the Ingham Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp as a Senior Camp Counselor, developing a curriculum for youth and adult learners to improve literacy, critical thinking skills and multicultural competence.
“My experiences with service groups like Alpha Phi Omega and PALS Programs built strong skills in volunteer leadership,” she said in a news release. “My ability to foster cooperative relationships in diverse environments will help me develop my passion for community building and engaged curiosity.”
Janssen will lead a team of skilled volunteer coordinators responsible for RSVP volunteer activities, recruiting new volunteers, collaborating with partner volunteer host sites and overseeing the RSVP Literacy Partners program with all area schools. Northwest RSVP serves Palo Alto, Kossuth, Emmet, Dickinson and Clay counties.
RSVP is part of the national AmeriCorps Seniors program, which matches volunteers with service opportunities to meet community needs. Although RSVP volunteers must be 55 or older, they can serve people of all ages. RSVP has been sponsored in Northwest Iowa by Iowa Lakes Community College since 1977.
AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps Senior volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and help make service to others a cornerstone of national culture.
29 new foods at Clay County Fair
Prepare your taste buds for a culinary adventure at the 2024 Clay County Fair.
From Sept. 7-15, fairgoers will have the chance to indulge in 29 mouth-watering new foods, including six finalists competing for the coveted title of “The World’s Greatest County Fair Food” in the eighth annual “World’s Greatest County Fair Food” Contest.
“The World’s Greatest County Fair Food” Contest will take place on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 3 p.m., at the Farmers Savings Bank Stage. Local celebrity judges will taste and decide which vendor will claim the title of “The World’s Greatest County Fair Food.”
The 2024 finalists (and vendors) include:
• Affogato (Ground to Perfection) – The Affogato features vanilla ice cream topped with Ground to Perfection’s special espresso. Each serving is finished with a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel, and a chocolate-covered espresso bean for a delightful treat.
• Chicken-Fried Steak (TnT Concessions) – The Chicken–Fried Steak is served on homemade mashed potatoes and smothered in white gravy for a classic, comforting dish.
• Wandering Waffle Cuban Sandwich (Taulelle Concessions, LLC) – The Wandering Waffle Cuban Sandwich starts with a thin Norwegian waffle filled with sliced ham, shredded pork, and melted Swiss cheese. Each bite is enhanced with Dijon mustard and pickles for a perfect blend of flavors.
• Deep-Fried Chocolate Chip Cookie (McCreary’s Hospitality) – This treat features two of Mark’s famous homemade chocolate chip cookies coated in funnel cake batter, fried to perfection, and topped with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
• Maple Bacon Latte (BlackEarth Java) – The Maple Bacon Latte blends sweet maple, smoky bacon, rich espresso, your choice of milk, and a dollop of whipped cream – topped with real bacon.
• Schnitzel Strips (Taulelle Concessions, LLC) – Schnitzel Strips feature a half-pound pork tenderloin cut into strips and served with a memorable schnitzel sauce made from mayo, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, garlic and white pepper.
Fairgoers can find a complete food directory at http://www.claycountyfair.com. The directory allows fairgoers to search for and locate their old and new favorite foods by name and vendor location.
CC/E lunches feature local foods
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has provided $2,000 grants to 137 participating school districts or schools to purchase meat, eggs, produce, dairy and other local foods from area farmers in the 2024-25 school year.
Launched in 2022, Local Food for Schools (LFS) pairs school lunch programs with a local food hub to connect to area farmers. This latest and final round of Iowa LFS runs from August through December of 2024. Through the first two rounds, more than $1.7 million has been awarded to 162 Iowa schools, and more than 110 farms and food businesses have sold products to schools through the program.
Sixty-four percent of producers are identified as socially disadvantaged or beginning farmers. The economic multiplier for this project was 1.94 meaning for every dollar spent on local purchases, there was 94 cents of additional economic activity generated in the state.
The following schools participated in LFS Round 3: Clay Central/Everly, Sheldon Christian School, Sheldon Community School and Spencer Community School.
Valero is newest producer member of IRFA
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) recently announced that Valero is its newest producer member. The second largest ethanol producer in the U.S., Valero has five ethanol plants in Iowa capable of producing nearly 700 million gallons per year.
Valero is best known as the largest global independent petroleum refiner. It owns 12 ethanol plants in the Midwest, including a plant near Hartley, and produces renewable diesel, making it one of the world’s largest low-carbon fuel producers.
“With Valero’s footprint in ethanol, refining, and renewable diesel, they bring a unique perspective to IRFA’s board,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw in a news release. “We both see a bright future ahead for liquid transportation biofuels as we continue to try to address both U.S. energy security and lower carbon fuel demand. IRFA looks forward to working alongside Valero to promote our shared priorities.”
Receives scholarship from American Legion of Iowa Foundation
The American Legion of Iowa Foundation celebrated four outstanding students from Iowa Lakes Community College as scholarship recipients on Aug. 26. The recognition took place at the Veterans Center on the Emmetsburg Campus, where the students’ remarkable achievements and inspiring future aspirations were highlighted.
Each of the recipients was awarded $500 to support their educational pursuits. One of those recipients, Madison Burhans, of Linn Grove, is enrolled in Iowa Lakes’ Veterinary Technician program. Burhans will be employed at Animal Medical Centers in Hartley after graduation.
Al Tigges and Jim Bruggeman, representing the American Legion of Iowa Foundation, presented Iowa Lakes Community College with a $2,000 check to support the scholarships. These scholarships are awarded based on need, references and a short essay describing the student’s accomplishments, community service and future goals.
