As a Story County 4-H Alumni, I take a lot of pride in what makes our fair special and different than all the other 98 county fairs in Iowa. I got to spend 9 weeks of my life at fair (1 week a year x 9 years in case you're confused) and I've had the awesome opportunity to see first hand what makes Story County Fair so great. So naturally, here are 75 things that make Story County Fair a Blue Ribbon Fair:
1. Snow Cones
2. Beef Burgers
3. Walking Tacos
4. Pancakes
5. Pie
6. Ice Cream for the Pie
7. Root Beer Floats
8. An Awesome and Dedicated Fair Board
9. Awesome and Dedicated Superintendents
10. Awesome and Dedicated Extension Staff
11. Awesome and Dedicated 4-Hers and FFA Members
12. Awesome and Dedicated Parents
13. A dodgeball tournament that is hard core
14. The Peterson Farm Brothers are frequent flyers
15. So are Politicians
16. An art hall that's air conditioned
17. Family Fun Night- Always on Sunday
18. A Supreme Showmanship Contest that is second to none
19. The hottest and sweetest fair queens in the state of Iowa
20. Hundreds of projects by exhibitors found in not one but TWO buildings on the fairgrounds
21. Pigs
22. Cattle
23. Sheep
24. Rabbit Hopping- First county with it in the state
25. Horses
26. A drill team with not people but HORSES
27. Ice Cream Social every Tuesday
28. Goats
29. Poultry- except this year
30. Bottle Bucket Calves
31. Bottle Bucket Lambs
32. FREE BBQ every first night of the fair
33. High Quality livestock shows every day
34. An Awesome Talent Show called Share the Fun the night before fair starts
35. A hardworking Leadership Team working the 4-H Stand
36. Ice Cold Lemonade and Tea (If you ask nicely I bet they will Arnold Palmer it)
37. Restored tractors by local FFA members
38. A dedicated Inspiration Committee that puts on an entertaining Share the Fun Contest and Inspiration Program
39. A final drive for the cattle show that is a big freaking deal because it's in the OUTSIDE Arena.
40. A horse fun show where you can see grandparents riding horses, horses in costumes, and a egg and spoon race.
41. A silent auction for photos taken by actual 4-Hers
42. A petting zoo
43. Pony Rides
44. Dogs
45. Small Pet Show
46. A Milk the Goat Fundraiser
47. Church Service in the Pavilion
48. Daily County Fair Scavenger Hunts
49. The Woodworking Club's Exhibit
50. Conveniently located next to a bike trail-stop by on your ride through
51. Movie in the Park Night on Sunday
52. A 5k Run through the fairgrounds
53. A miniature rodeo in the horse arena (timed events!)
54. A livestock judging contest
55. A Horse Versatility Contest
56. A Model Horse Show
57. Biscuits and Gravy
58. Fair Spotlight Night
59. Ribbon Auction open to any business that wants to support Story County's Youth
60. Campground bonding night that includes sweet corn
61. A Swine Fun Show-just find a 4-Her in the barn to help you out!
62. Clover Kid activities everyday
63. Plenty of opportunities to talk to farmers and livestock producers
64. Cotton Candy
65. Cheeseburgers
66. Cheese Fries
67. Ribeye Steak Sandwiches on Cattle Show Day
68. No creepy carneys
69. Goat and lamb burgers on Sheep and Goat Show Day
70. Pork sandwiches on Pig Show Day
71. Warm weather
72. Ice Cream!
73. Giant Pickles
74. 76 years of Fair History found all in one place
75. Oh ya did I mention FREE ADMISSION
If you get time be sure to stop by the fairgrounds in Nevada July 23-27 and help Story County Fair experience this 76 year tradition!
1. Snow Cones
2. Beef Burgers
3. Walking Tacos
4. Pancakes
5. Pie
6. Ice Cream for the Pie
7. Root Beer Floats
8. An Awesome and Dedicated Fair Board
9. Awesome and Dedicated Superintendents
10. Awesome and Dedicated Extension Staff
11. Awesome and Dedicated 4-Hers and FFA Members
12. Awesome and Dedicated Parents
13. A dodgeball tournament that is hard core
14. The Peterson Farm Brothers are frequent flyers
15. So are Politicians
16. An art hall that's air conditioned
17. Family Fun Night- Always on Sunday
18. A Supreme Showmanship Contest that is second to none
19. The hottest and sweetest fair queens in the state of Iowa
20. Hundreds of projects by exhibitors found in not one but TWO buildings on the fairgrounds
21. Pigs
22. Cattle
23. Sheep
24. Rabbit Hopping- First county with it in the state
25. Horses
26. A drill team with not people but HORSES
27. Ice Cream Social every Tuesday
28. Goats
29. Poultry- except this year
30. Bottle Bucket Calves
31. Bottle Bucket Lambs
32. FREE BBQ every first night of the fair
33. High Quality livestock shows every day
34. An Awesome Talent Show called Share the Fun the night before fair starts
35. A hardworking Leadership Team working the 4-H Stand
36. Ice Cold Lemonade and Tea (If you ask nicely I bet they will Arnold Palmer it)
37. Restored tractors by local FFA members
38. A dedicated Inspiration Committee that puts on an entertaining Share the Fun Contest and Inspiration Program
39. A final drive for the cattle show that is a big freaking deal because it's in the OUTSIDE Arena.
40. A horse fun show where you can see grandparents riding horses, horses in costumes, and a egg and spoon race.
41. A silent auction for photos taken by actual 4-Hers
42. A petting zoo
43. Pony Rides
44. Dogs
45. Small Pet Show
46. A Milk the Goat Fundraiser
47. Church Service in the Pavilion
48. Daily County Fair Scavenger Hunts
49. The Woodworking Club's Exhibit
50. Conveniently located next to a bike trail-stop by on your ride through
51. Movie in the Park Night on Sunday
52. A 5k Run through the fairgrounds
53. A miniature rodeo in the horse arena (timed events!)
54. A livestock judging contest
55. A Horse Versatility Contest
56. A Model Horse Show
57. Biscuits and Gravy
58. Fair Spotlight Night
59. Ribbon Auction open to any business that wants to support Story County's Youth
60. Campground bonding night that includes sweet corn
61. A Swine Fun Show-just find a 4-Her in the barn to help you out!
62. Clover Kid activities everyday
63. Plenty of opportunities to talk to farmers and livestock producers
64. Cotton Candy
65. Cheeseburgers
66. Cheese Fries
67. Ribeye Steak Sandwiches on Cattle Show Day
68. No creepy carneys
69. Goat and lamb burgers on Sheep and Goat Show Day
70. Pork sandwiches on Pig Show Day
71. Warm weather
72. Ice Cream!
73. Giant Pickles
74. 76 years of Fair History found all in one place
75. Oh ya did I mention FREE ADMISSION
If you get time be sure to stop by the fairgrounds in Nevada July 23-27 and help Story County Fair experience this 76 year tradition!