The annual meeting of the Boone County Agricultural Association was held on September 11th 2024.  Elections took place, and on October 1st the new officers and board took over.  Wayne Lynch served four consecutive terms as president, and per the association by-laws must vacate the presidential position for a minimum of one year.  The fair board has been greatly appreciative of the years of leadership, and look forward to him still offering guidance to the board in his new role, as Vice President. Elected President, was long time board member Patrick Erb.  Doyle Stern was re-elected to the treasurer position, and Tracy Herman was elected as secretary, this being her first time holding an officer position on the board. Retiring off the Fair Board was Bonnie Sorenson, we are grateful for her many years of service to the fair board.  Dan Graham was elected as the newest member on the board.  He joins returning Fair Board Members: Lindsey Stolte, Tim Anderson, Jeff Needham, Kevin Meier, Jonathan Bullock, Alan Schoff, Les Mills, Kim Rhodes, Blake Becket and Jentry Schoff.  In addition to voting members ten associate members were also elected to the board. They include: Kim Bullock, Kim Meier, Stephanie Dowdy, Erik McFarland, Holley Jacobsen, Montana Sour, Nichol Graham, Hailey Beckett, Brian Crook & Don Howard.  Caitlin Needham was also elected as a junior member of the fair board.  

As some of you may have noticed, there has been a lot of activity going on at the fairgrounds this past week.  For several years the Fair board has been saving funds and seeking donations to re-asphalt the parking lot.  Thanks to grants from the Leonard Good Trust, and the Boone Community Endowment Fund as well as funding from Boone County and strategic savings from the fair board over several years the project is about to become a reality.  The repaving of the parking lot is much needed for the safety of our guests, the integrity of the grounds and buildings as it will ensure water flows away from buildings.  In April of 2022 a contract was signed with a contractor to complete the project by June 1st 2023.  Of course, since this is an asphalt and concrete project, weather plays a very large role in when the project can be completed. Additionally, the Contractors work schedule (as of the April 2022 contract signing) and Fairgrounds event dates also play a role in the timing of the construction. Working with weather, Fairgrounds schedule and the Contractor’s schedule, the contractor chose the week(s) to work on the project. We are extremely excited to have this project completed by next week!  The Fair board has worked hard during this busy season to work with all those who utilize the fairgrounds and greatly appreciate everyone’s understanding. We have been told the asphalt will be laid the beginning of the week of May 1st and the lot will be drivable for regular vehicles starting towards the end of that week.  However, we ask that semis and other heavy equipment not park on the parking lot until June to allow the asphalt to cure as much as possible. Thank you again for your understanding, we look forward to this new parking lot that will benefit all that utilize our facilities. 

Fair Announces Centennial Celebration Entertainment
 
As the winter weather seems to hang on, we can all look forward to sunshine and summer fun. The Boone County Fair Board has been planning the centennial celebration Boone County Fair for months now, and is finally ready to announce the entertainment lineup.
Thursday night of fair will kickoff a new grandstand show, the Nitro Monster Truck Tour. Friday evening in the grandstand will also bring in a new show. “Free Friday in the Grandstand" hosted by the fair board will showcase the Prairie Tractor Pullers Event. Saturday will bring back the Western Iowa Pullers Association for the Tractor and Truck Pull, and to round out our grandstand events, the annual Mud Races on Sunday. 
If you are looking for musical entertainment, look no further than the Leonard Good stage! The fair board hosts free concerts every night. Grab your friends and head over to enjoy a beer and some great music.
Thursday night kicks off with local music from Jake Doty and the Swensongs. Friday highlights Burnin’ Sensations Band opening for Good to be King, the Tom Petty tribute band. This great tribute band has been playing all your Tom Petty favorites, “Free Falling” and “I Won’t Back Down”, all around the Midwest. They will also be performing at the Iowa State Fair in August, but you can see them right here in Boone for free! Saturday evening the fair board pulled out all the stops to bring you country music Nashville recording artist, Canaan Smith. His song “Love You Like That” from his debut album reached number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. His second album, High Country Sound, came out in 2021 and features songs “Beer Drinkin’ Weather” and “Heartbreak Heaven”. Opening for Canaan, the fair board is excited to bring back Casey Muessigmann. Casey was a member of Team Blake on The Voice, Season 3.  
If you are looking for more free entertainment, there is plenty happening at the Centennial Fair. New this year is the America’s Got Talent participant, Dan Kirk, "The Juggler with the Yellow Shoes", and Kevin Horner, the 6-year running top comedy ventriloquist. Also new this year is Barrel Train Rides and the Cancer Warrior Truck Car Show. Favorites that are coming back include the Pedal Tractor Pull, Mutton Busting, Face Painting and Iowa Cloggers performance. Locally owned and operated, Scotts Amusements will once again provide carnival rides and games.
The Centennial Celebration of the Boone County Fair is scheduled for July 20 - 23. For more information, to see a full schedule of events, or to keep up to date on all fair news follow the Boone County Fairgrounds on Facebook or visit their website www.boonecountyfairia.com.  Grandstand tickets will go on sale April 20. 

​The Boone County Fair Fundraiser held February 4th, kicked off the Centennial Celebration the fair board has planned for this year.  According to Fair Manager, Ashley Fitzgerald, “Although there are records of some type of Fair event in different locations in Boone County earlier than 1923, this year we are celebrating 100 years of the Boone County Fair in its current location in the format we know and love today.”   
The Fair Fundraiser Kickoff event happens annually to help raise funds for the Fair. This year in particular was our most successful year to-date. Over 220 people attended the event that include a catered meal, silent and live auctions and live music by Burnin’ Sensations. The event raised a record breaking $29, 770.21.  We continue to raise funds at this event to support 4-H and FFA exhibition at the Boone County Fair, specifically by helping offset the cost of judges, ribbons, premiums, and event support including, entry systems, sound systems operations and livestock security. Additionally, at this year’s event, special funds were raised for the Fund the Photos project.  The goal of this project is to construct a permanent photo backdrop, outside the show arena, for exhibitors to take photos with their livestock projects. $12,200 of the estimated $20,000 was raised for the Fund the Photos project.  If you are interested in learning more about this project or donating towards reaching the $20,000 goal, please contact a member of the fair board. The Boone County Fair is a private, non-profit 501(c) (3) organization and all donations towards the Fair are tax exempt.
The Boone County Fair, Centennial Celebration, is scheduled for July 20-23, 2023.  The fair board plans to announce new and exciting entertainment planned for the Fair very soon.  For more information about the Boone County Fair, visit the Fairs website www.boonecountyfairia.com or follow them on Facebook. 

​August 2, 2021
 
For Immediate Release
 
Fair Board Seeks to Fill Vacancies
 
The Boone County Fair Board is now accepting applications for the Boone County Fair Board.  Persons interested in being on the Fair Board must be residents of Boone County, over age 18, and enthusiastic to work with the current Fair Board to improve the annual County Fair & other fairgrounds events.  There are currently five seats on the fair board that need to be filled.  Current board members seeking re-election are: Wayne Lynch, Lori Winter, Kevin Meier, Jon Bullock.  Danielle Madden is retiring from the board.
If you are interested in helping out with the Fair and other Fairgrounds events, but do not want to commit to monthly meetings, and being a full board member, we encourage you to apply to be an associate member.  Associate members serve on committees and assist in whatever areas of the Fair they wish to help with. 
Fair Board & Associate member applications are due to the fair office by September 1st  and are available on the website at http://www.boonecountyfairia.com/board-information.html​ or can be picked up at the fair office. Those seeking election should plan to be at the annual board meeting with is September 13th at 7pm at the Fairgrounds Community Building.
The mission of the Boone County Agricultural Association and Boone County Fair Board is to encourage, support, and promote the growth and development of urban and rural communities of Boone County by highlighting the heritage of the community, and its ties to agriculture, industry and business that are the backbone of the community.  

​Nearly 400 kids were able to enjoy the carnival rides over the 4 days of the Boone County Fair this year. The "Have Fun, Give Back" program, developed by the Boone County Fair Board and sponsored by the Boone County Farm Bureau, allowed fairgoers to donate a non-perishable food item in exchange for a free carnival wristband.
The basis of the program was to gain sponsorship to cover the cost of the carnival so families who normally wouldn’t be able to afford the carnival rides, would be able to come out and have fun at the fair.  As a part of the program, those wishing to receive the free carnival wristbands would need to donate a non-perishable food item. With over 11% of Boone County being considered "food insecure", the fair board thought this would be a great way to shed light on the issue and get the community involved. 
“It is great that we are teaching our children the importance of giving back to the community” said one mother with young children enjoying the rides. “We are grateful for this sponsorship and the 'Have Fun, Give Back' program, so we can enjoy the rides at the fair.” 
This year, almost 300 pounds of non-perishable food items were collected through this program and were donated to local food pantries.  The Boone County Fair Board is planning to continue the "Have Fun, Give Back" program in the future, and is looking for more area businesses to help sponsor this great program to support our community. For more information about this program or information on the 2021 Boone County Fair, contact boonecountyfairgrounds@gmail.com.