Clay County Fair

[Abby Brown] For Iowans, summertime is state fair time. Over a million people attend the Iowa State Fair every year.

But northwest Iowa hosts the largest county fair in our state. Let's go check it out.

(Map marking Clay County in northwest Iowa.)

Every September, Spencer, Iowa, is a magnet for fair lovers, streaming in to experience the Clay County Fair.

(A yellow paw print is painted on the Spencer water tower.)

(Fairgoers stand in front of a map of the county fairgrounds.)

Maybe the thousands of people who attend are here to taste the food.

(Plastic buckets and paper cups filled to the brim with chocolate chip cookies.)

Or the chance to spend time with family and friends.

They could be here for the rides.

(A view of the top of the faris wheel.)

But there's a very good chance the people at the Clay County Fair are here to see and take part in the main focus of this fair, which is agriculture.

(A young rider and his horse show off their skills in the ring.)

Ag education, shows and competitions are what the Clay County Fair is known for.

(A sign announcing the sheep show is today.)

(A large pumpkin with a blue ribbon attached to it.)

Organizers are proud to say that it has the largest agricultural exposition in North America.

For well over 100 years, the Clay County Fair has been a destination for fun. It's a great place to celebrate Iowa's rural roots and bright agricultural future.

(A large sheared lamb baying in its pen.)

Every county in Iowa has a fair. But the one in Clay County draws more people than any other.

Funding for FIND Iowa has been provided by The Coons Foundation, Pella and the Gilchrist Foundation.