Iowa County Fair seeks open exhibits

MARENGO -- Iowa County Fair’s Open Class Committee is seeking people of all ages to enter items in this year’s county fair.

The annual Iowa County Fair is scheduled for July 10-14 at the fairgrounds in Marengo.

Exhibits entered by 4-H Club and FFA members showcase the project work of the youth of Iowa County. Livestock exhibits fill the barns, and static exhibits line the shelves and tables in Zentmire Hall.

But there is also an opportunity for other residents in Iowa County and surrounding counties to exhibit their talents and creations in the during the fair -- in the Open Class Departments.

Residents of all ages can enter items in any of the twelve Departments listed in the 2024 Open Class Book that can be found at the fair website home page: theiowacountyfair.org.

Under the Documents tab, click on the 2024 Open Class Book to see the information, dates, times and rules covering all twelve Departments.

Now is the time to think of what to enter and learn how easy the process is to enter items, the Committee said.

Residents can enter any number of items in any or all Departments.

The Committee is calling special attention to three Departments in hopes of creating more interest in exhibiting at the fair.

The Hobbies Department judges collections of three or more small items, such as marbles, pens, pencils and buttons. Any collections of small items are allowed.

The second interesting competition is the Heritage Department. Articles made by an ancestor may be entered.

Examples of possible exhibits are tools, clothing, quilts, a small piece of furniture, toys, dolls and game boards made by the exhibitor’s ancestor and accompanied by a brief written statement about the ancestor, the item and the relationship to the exhibitor.

The third highlighted and fun Department is the Children’s Class for ages 12 year and younger. This Department is limited only by their imaginations.

Entries include arts and crafts, photography, hobbies, flowers and garden items and products of the kitchen.

No Open Class animals or livestock are allowed. Those exhibits are housed in the Zentmire Hall along with the static 4-H and FFA exhibits.

Entries will be taken at Zentmire Hall on the fairgrounds Monday evening, July 8 and Tuesday morning, July 9. Entry fee is $1 per item. Those fees will be used for cash awards.

Following the judging of the exhibits Tuesday afternoon, July 9, ribbons will be given to all entries. Some items in each Department will be chosen to receive Awards of Excellence ribbons and cash prizes.

One Best of Show is chosen from each Department and is awarded a large Iowa County Fair rosette ribbon and prize money.

On opening day of the fair Wednesday, July 10, the hall will be open starting at 4 p.m. so everyone can see how their entries placed during the judging.

Zentmire is open each remaining day of the fair.

Call the Committee at 641-777-6174 for answers to questions.