2024 Clay County Fair by the numbers

Over the nine days of the 2024 Clay County Fair, the event once again welcomed thousands of visitors, creating countless memories for families, exhibitors, and vendors alike. Fairgoers from across the region came to enjoy everything from exciting grandstand entertainment to unique food offerings, livestock competitions, and agricultural exhibits.

"Each year, the Clay County Fair creates an experience unlike any other, and 2024 was no exception," said CEO Jerome Hertel in a news release. "From youth exhibitors to grandstand performances, it's always rewarding to see the community come together to create something truly memorable. We're thankful for the enthusiasm and support that make it all possible."

While overall attendance was down, fairgoer spending set a record once again. Included below is a breakdown of several key areas.

Youth Involvement

• 790 4-H and FFA exhibitors from 52 counties across Iowa and Minnesota participated in livestock and human sciences events at the Clay County Fair.

• Approximately 1,200 third and fourth-grade students from 15 regional schools experienced the Fair's educational opportunities through the AgCiting and SciCiting field trip programs, coordinated by ISU Extension and Outreach - Clay County.

Fairgoer Spending

• Preliminary fairgoer spending on food, beverages, specialty concessions, and carnival rides reached an impressive $3,306,667.25, breaking the previous record of $3,117,143.18 set in 2023.

Exhibitor Participation

• 458 unique commercial exhibitors, concessionaires, and vendors from 37 states were part of this year's Fair, including 150 agriculture-specific exhibitors. This helped the Clay County Fair again hold its title as the largest farm machinery and ag equipment show at any fair in the United States.

• 1,319 exhibitors entered open-class livestock and non-livestock competitions, with a combined 10,059 total entries, highlighting the range of talent and dedication within the open-class divisions.

Attendance

• Grandstand shows brought 14,549 attendees, with highlights including performances by Trace Adkins with Eli Alger and the Faster Horses and Justin Moore with Dustin Evans and the Good Times Band, which drew in two of the largest crowds during the Fair.

• Total fair attendance for 2024 reached 297,999. Last year's tally was 318,678.