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Fun food and friendly competition await at the 2025 Henry County Fair
A week of family fun, farm flair, and creative contests in Mt. Pleasant
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MT. PLEASANT — Fairgoers in Mt. Pleasant will find plenty of fun at the 2025 Henry County Fair with activities for adults and children alike.
While poultry, cattle, sheeps, and goats are always milling about the barn area and in the show ring, an interesting view awaits fairgoers Wednesday, July 16 with the animal costume contest beginning at 4:30 p.m.
In previous years this contest included calves, sheep, and goats, but this year fair participants’ feather friends also will join in the fun as the event now includes poultry.
Participants must submit entry forms to the fairboard office by 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 16 to participate in this show designed purely for fun.
The boys and girls that choose enter the show ring with animals donning delightful duds also will need to bring a short write-up about their costumes on a 3x5 card including their name, club, description of the costume and why they chose it.
Prizes will then be awarded for Overall Champion Costume, Most Creative, Most Humorous, and Best Team Costume.
For children that prefer a more physical competition, the Kids Pedal Pull will take place at the Tractor Headquarters Wednesday at 6 p.m. Enthusiastic youngsters will compete in heats divided by weight as they inch their way to the furthest pulls and victory.
The first night at the fair will come to an end with the Henry County Fair Queen Contest and 4-H Clothing event beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Wright Pavilion. After the 2025 Fair Queen receives her crown, she will certainly be seen at various events throughout the fairgrounds the remainder of the week.
Kids 5-17 years old can show off their creative building skills at the fair with the LEGO contest set for Thursday, July 17. Participants will build their 4 foot or smaller creations on bases no more than 24x24 inches off-site and drop them off at the fair between 12-4 p.m.
Judging will then take place at 4 p.m. and the creations will remain on display through Sunday at 9 a.m. for adults and children to view.
The annual Farm Family Ag Appreciation Meal will follow the LEGO Contest judging. The meal will run from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Wright Pavilion. After filling their tummies with the meal, fairgoers can take a short walk to the other side of the pavilion and enjoy the entertainment of the Bill Riley Talent Show. The entertainment will continue Thursday evening at the fair with a movie night after the talent show.
Families can then enjoy the “Share in the Fun,” entertainment from Henry County 4-H groups Friday at 5 p.m. followed by the Clover Kid Graduation Ceremony before the grandstand opens with entertainment for the weekend.
Saturday at the fair begins with an opportunity to purchase local produce and goods at the Farmers Market in the Wright Pavilion from 8-11 a.m. July 19.
Much of the afternoon Saturday will be for the kids with activities like face painting, animal balloons, foam blasters, and pony rides offered for children from noon-4 p.m. Saturday will then round off with the Demolition Derby beginning at 7 p.m. and adult entertainment with the beer garden.
The last few bits of fair festivities Sunday will include BINGO at 10:30 a.m. followed by an adult bags tournament and the Farm Bureau Cookout Contest at noon.
Those wishing to show off their cooking chops can begin registering for the cookout contest at 10 a.m. The participants with the best food will receive cash prizes of $50 for third place, $100 for second, and $250 for first. Additionally, the first-place winner will qualify to participate in the Iowa Farm Bureau State Fair Cookout Contest.
If cooking isn’t your thing, teams of two can pay a $40 entry fee to play six games of in bags hopes of taking home the 100% payout. Sign-up for the event opens at 11 a.m. and players should bring their own partners. Participants must be 16 years or older to play.
Fun for adults will continue at the fair on Sunday as the Home Brew Contest begins at 2 p.m. at the Tractor Headquarters. Entry for this event can be made at www.airportroadvineyard.com or by contacting David Rogers at 319 400-8808.
Fair participants will take the rest of Sunday evening and Monday morning to clean up after the eventful week, and the fair will come to a close with the ribbon auction at 9 a.m.
Between all the live entertainment, fun activities, and interesting sights of the fair, visitors also will find plenty of delicious foods thanks to vendors like on site selling funnel cakes, corn dogs, barbecued dishes, mini-donuts, and other fair delicacies.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
