O'Brien Co. Fair receives 'Blue Ribbon' award

The Board of Directors of the Association of Iowa Fairs has recognized the O'Brien County Fair with the 2024 Blue Ribbon Fair Award. The award was presented to the fair's Board of Directors at the Association's 2024 Conference and Annual Meeting, which was held Dec. 13-15 in Des Moines.

The O'Brien County Fair, which is held in Primghar, was chosen to receive the award from all fairs in the Northwest District. One fair from each of the association's six districts was recognized.

"The fair that receives this award must have shown progress in providing service to the youth programs in their community, plus show distinguished service to the community in both the fair and interim events," said Thomas Barnes, Executive Director of the Association, in a news release. "My wife Sue and I have visited the O'Brien County Fair several times over the past years, and we found it does indeed serve very well the community as outlined in the guidelines of this award.

"The Board of Directors of the Association of Iowa Fairs would like to extend to its sincere appreciation to the O'Brien County Fair Board and their spouses for their commitment to their fair and to the fair industry in Iowa." Barnes added. "We also would like to thank the O'Brien County 4-H program, area FFA chapters and all the many other area volunteers that are involved with the fair. They all combined to make the O'Brien County Fair a 'Blue Ribbon Fair'."

The Association of Iowa Fairs is the organizational body of the fair industry in Iowa. It has as its members the 105 county fairs of Iowa and the Iowa State Fair, and 144 associate members such as carnivals, entertainment agencies, festivals, chambers, concessionaires, special attractions and suppliers of the industry.