The Association of Iowa Fairs agreed that a Blue Ribbon experience is just what the Hamilton County Fair provides and bestowed its coveted Blue Ribbon Award to the Fair Board in 2023.

“I was ecstatic when I heard that we had won the Blue Ribbon Fair award,” said Zach Williams, fair board president. “I think it really shows that the staff here does a great job and has gone above and beyond toward getting that goal, and making it a great fair for everyone.”

Hamilton County was the recipient in the North Central District, which includes 19 very competitive county fairs. Only one fair is selected from each of the state’s six districts every year. The award was presented at the association’s annual conference earlier this winter. The designation is highly sought after each year by the 100 member fairs throughout the state.

“It can put a target on your back,” Griffith said. “But it only means that we want to dig deeper and do even better next year.”

-Messenger file photo by David Borer
Children literally jump for joy as the Hamilton County Fair Parade passes by and enters the Hamilton County Fairgrounds on July 25, 2023.

The Hamilton County Fair has long been considered among the best county fairs in the state. Fine-tuning its operation to earn the Blue Ribbon designation involved many little things that added up to a big picture to improve the fair experience for visitors.

“It actually ended up being pretty simple things,” Griffith noted. “A lot of it is just having a mindset of, ‘What if you had never been to the fairgrounds before? Would you be able to find the restrooms, know where things are … shows, the fair office?’ Basically, it’s making sure things are well marked as to what’s happening and where things are located.”

Events for families and kids are especially important in the race for the Blue Ribbon Fair award.

“I would say that kids’ activities are pretty high on the top of my list,” Griffith said. “We spray-painted Twister on the ground near the playground, and added just a lot of small, different activities for kids.”

Williams agrees with the emphasis to provide more activities for families and children, as well as events that will welcome more young adults to the fair.

“We’re always striving to get some new acts when it comes to live music,” Williams said. We’re always working on doing new things for young people and kids. We want to give them a reason to come to the fair and something fun to do while they are here.”

Grandstand to get a facelift

Perhaps the biggest draw to the fair, and throughout the season, is the Hamilton County Speedway. Remarkably, the 1938 grandstand is still in good condition, but it is set for a fresh look this spring.

A preservation project is set to get underway in early spring at the historic grandstand. The project will include paint and repairs to a few pedestrian areas.

“It’s structurally in good shape,” Williams said. “It’s in serious need of some new paint. Some of the stairs and walkways are also in rough shape, and that’s something we will address as this project is taking place.”

The first day of racing at the Hamilton County Speedway is slated for April 6. The restoration project is estimated to take 65 days, start to completion, and should not impede the crowd too much from enjoying the show. Both the first race, and the start of the painting and preservation project are weather dependent, as always, according to Griffith.

“The gentleman who is going to do our painting is also a race car driver,” Griffith said. “So he understands the importance of the crowd being able to see, and that is something beneficial to us, rather than someone who has never been to a race in his life coming in and trying to paint.”

Fundraising for the restoration project is ongoing and is being conducted in cooperation with the Hamilton County Speedway Racing Association. Local grants are being sought and donations are welcome.

Anyone wishing to support this effort to preserve and maintain the historic grandstand can mail donations in care of Griffith to the Hamilton County Fair Board, P.O. Box 563, Webster City, IA 50595. For more information, contact Griffith at 515 832-1443.