MASON CITY / CLEAR LAKE – For the seventh consecutive year, the North Iowa Sports Authority was certified as a Regional Sports Authority District by the Iowa Economic Development Authority; Iowa Tourism Office. This certification provides $50,000 in state funds to be used to attract three new events to the area while retaining and expanding three existing events. These event partners include:
- Rumble in River City – a new go cart / ATV / motorcycle syrup race to be held in Nov. 22-23, 2013
- Hardee’s Baseball Classic – a long standing event with great growth potential to be held inApril 25-27, 2014
- River City Sports Festival- a large event that is new to the community offering motocross, wrestling, kickboxing, boxing, cheerleading and other amateur sports over a five-day period inMay 7-11, 2014
- Mid States Spring Horse Show – held for the second time by the new owners in May 28-June 1, 2014
- Mason City Merchants Baseball Classic – a new tournament to be held in June 21-22, 2014
- IA Saddle Club Pointed Open Horse Show – second time returning event to be held in July 26-27, 2014
Through the partnership of Visit Mason City, Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and Cerro Gordo County, the North Iowa Sports Authority submitted a grant application for this designation. The grant requires a $25,000 local cash match, which has been raised through the joint partnership. According to Visit Mason City, the estimated tourism impact to the area by the visitors attending these events is anticipated to generate over $2.9 million in direct visitor spending.
The North Iowa Sports Authority’s mission is to promote sports in Cerro Gordo County by attracting and supporting quality athletic sporting events that generate visitor spending in the area. More specifically, the objective is to attract, retain, and expand area-sporting events that attract visitors to the area and generates visitor spending. A visitor is an individual that lives beyond 90-miles of Cerro Gordo County.