History of The Linn County Fair
In 1888, at a meeting of the Linn County Farmers Institute held at the Jordan's Grove Baptist Church, the Wapsie Valley Fair was launched on its successful career. A town with a train that ran through it determined the location for the fairgrounds. Both Central City and Springville met that requirement so the one raising the most money by subscription to promote the enterprise would be chosen. A certain time was allowed to raise the money and it was found that Central City had raised the most and the present site of about fifty acres, picturesquely located on the Wapsie River, was purchased.
In early fair days, special trains came from Cedar Rapids to bring fair goers from the city and backed all the way back to Cedar Rapids. The fair ran smoothly for several years and then started to suffer financially. It was then changed to a stock holding institute and shares were sold throughout the county. It was rated as the best livestock exhibit of any fair in Iowa, outside the State Fair.
In July 1937, this original Linn county fair became the Linn County Fair Association. As in early days of the fair, a carnival and entertainment were brought in to bring in the city folk and others not involved in showing.
In 2006, a carnival was brought back after a 40 year hiatus and grandstand events have grown over the last seven years with a truck and tractor pull, demolition derby, moto cross, harness racing, a fun horse show, and this year, a draft horse pull, Country music concert and Christian music concert were added. A Youth Day, Heritage Day, Cock-A-Doodle Zoo, and Giant Sandbox were also added several years ago.
Three of the five remaining original buildings have been restored and many others added over the years. A free gate and parking is still maintained to welcome all who visit the fair. The fair's main focus is still on the 4-H and FFA youth and continues to be a strong youth oriented fair for them to showcase their achievements for the year.
Come visit Linn County's Original Fair!!
2007 Halloween Demo Derby Bash
Saturday, October 27th at 1pm
The Linn County Fair Grounds, Central City, Ia
Results
Stock class rules apply- bolt/chain rules 1st- Car 88-Brian Reed 2nd- Car 210- Tony Fully
(also was 1st place at the fair demo derby this summer) (also was 2nd place at the fair demo derby this summer)
3rd- Car 612-Greg Harms 4th- Car 51-Jeremy
5th- Car 131-Paul Nielsen 6th- Car 77-James Vance
7th- Car 16- Luk McNeal 8th- Car 7-
9th- Car 3T- Tad Billmeir
Compacts:
Click here to see more pictures 1st-Car EI0-Gary Gleason 2nd- Car 921- J. Stohn
3rd-Car- Retirement Run-Tom Willis 4th- Car 41-Duane Long
5th- Car 629- Shane Hach 6th-Car 548-Bob Versteegh
7th- Car 927J-Harry 8th- car 95-K
9th- Car 23- Eugene Wulfekuhlu 10th- Car 27m- Chris Shulte
11th- Car 420- Brian Hogen 12th- Car 717- Emily Fealy
News and feedback:
Gazetteonline.com July 10, 2006
Homers What's going right: "FUN AT THE FAIR: A return of the carnival to the Linn County Fair over the weekend enticed many long-time county residents who had never been to the festivities to take a look. It's been 40 years since a carnival has been an attraction at the fair, but a schedule opening with an entertainmnet compnay and an open-minded fair board willing to try something new made it happen this year. It gave those newcomers a chance to see what has been the staple of Linn County's Fair for all these years-livestock, crafts and other exhibits. The carnival has moved on now, but the fair continues through Thursday in Central City."
Letter from Daric & LaVern Ganon July 2006:
To the Linn County Board Memebers:
Thank you for all the hard work you put in on the fair this year. What an improvment! We especially enjoyed the Moto-cross & the talent show. Also all the nice exhibit by our young people of their projects. It's good to see a use of all the fine fair grounds we have. Thanks again, Daric & LaVern Ganon
Pictures of The Linn County Fair 2006:
The Jodie Foster Connection 7-8-2006
Youth (Kids) Day 7-11-06
Exhibits
Webmasters-Angie Kisling & Heidi Abel 2008