MASON CITY – The North Iowa Fair Association Board of Directors, staff and volunteers cordially invite the public to explore “New Heights” at the 2019 North Iowa Fair, returning to North Iowa Events Center, 3700 4th Street SW this July 18-21.
The North Iowa Fair earned the Association of Iowa Fairs North Central District “Blue Ribbon Fair” Award in 2018, topping all other counties in the state’s largest district for the first time in Cerro Gordo County history.
“Your North Iowa Fair has a rich history that dates back to the late 1800’s. It’s a celebration of who Cerro Gordo County is,” said Jason Baumann, North Iowa Fair Association Manager. “We have an amazing staff and volunteer board, and their focus on youth provides an ideal platform for featuring the hard work of organizations like 4-H, FFA and Iowa State University Extension while showcasing quality attractions, competition, agriculture and complex projects so many students and residents put real heart into. We want to invite everyone: come as you are and enjoy the wide-ranging tastes, sights and sounds of four great days in our beautiful county each July.”
Families of all sizes and budgets may be pleased to know that your North Iowa Fair offers free gate admission, free parking, free carnival rides, free North Iowa Youth Center inflatables, free live music, free livestock shows, a free hot air balloon rally, free exhibits, free music, free acrobat shows, free tropical birds shows, free magic shows, 4-H showcases, $5 pony rides and much more.
Opening Ceremonies will begin promptly at 5:30pm in the All Seasons Building on Thursday, July 18. Local DJ Joe Malone will emcee the ceremony that includes Posting of Colors courtesy of North Iowa Youth Center, remarks from honored speaker Mason City Mayor Bill Schickel and the crowning of your 2019 Miss North Iowa Fair, with Emily Shatek serving as the current 2018 North Iowa Fair Queen. A Fair Dedication Flyover courtesy of Veterans Airlift Command will directly follow Opening Ceremonies outdoors at 6pm.
The 3rd Annual Small Stage Music Festival kicks off in the Marion E. Olson Building on Thursday night, July 18, for “An Evening With Billy Dean” as Grammy nominated artist Tom Wurth opens the show at 6:30pm. Billy Dean is a Grammy Award winner with hits that include “Only Here For A Little While,” “We Just Disagree,” “Billy The Kid,” “Somewhere In My Broken Heart” and many more. “An Evening With Billy Dean” is presented by Alpha Media Mason City. This will be an intimate, acoustic performance fans don’t want to miss. Seating is limited with $15 tickets currently available at NorthIowaEventsCenter.org. Fireworks courtesy of J&M Displays will cap off Day One at your North Iowa Fair on Thursday, July 18 around 9:45pm, weather permitting.
Friday night, July 19, Natascha Myers will perform at 6:30pm with The Spacemen following at 8:00pm. Saturday evening, July 20, will feature Anderson Daniels performing live in concert at 8:00pm in the Olson Building, with an open darts tournament also starting in the Olson Building on Friday evening, July 19. Friday and Saturday night performances at Small Stage Music Festival in the Marion E. Olson Building are free to all (to capacity: 1,000 persons).
The 4th Annual North Iowa Fair Hot Air Balloon Rally brings sixteen hot air balloons to Mason City starting on July 19 and running through the morning of July 21. $10 tethered balloon rides will be offered Friday evening, July 19, and Saturday evening, July 20. Fairgoers can expect beautiful launches, evening glow shows (Friday and Saturday only), a walk-in balloon and sponsor flights to each offer breathtaking experiences through Sunday morning. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and smart phones for amazing views and pictures! It is important to note that all balloon events are considered weather dependent and subject to postponement/cancellation.
Sunday, July 21 will begin with Chapter 790 of the Vietnam Veterans of America Flapjack Fundraiser starting at 7:00am in The Loafing Shed and serving until gone. A wide range of veterans will be featured on the Main Drive at 11:45am Sunday morning in a brief ceremony to include a National Anthem performance by Katie Behr, remarks from Larry Paul of American Legion and VVA and the hoisting of 17 American flags to replace North Iowa Events Center sponsor flags lining the main drive for one final day at your North Iowa Fair.
Sunday entertainment will also feature a draft pony hitch show courtesy of Iowa Draft Pony Hitch Association on July 21. Tickets for the draft pony hitch show are just $3 for adults and $2 for children, available to fairgoers at the Arena entrance starting at 9am on Sunday, July 21.
For more information, see the full North Iowa Fair schedule and more at NorthIowaEventsCenter.org.
you need diversity at the fair. The fair requires, animals, rides, local and national business participation, inclusive of both clear lake and mason city farmers markets, music bands, foreign and local music, involve foods and culture from different people, prizes, competition, and a great deal of advertising. there needs to be a beer garden, organized parking, country music and lots of events. want people to come and spend money – than make the fair worth while and stop downplaying mason city. we have great potential and its time people worked together to make it happen. involve the synagogue, local mosque, and churches. have a fair luncheon. bring in participants from the greek culture group too. bring in a bull riding competition, boxing match etc
The fair had such a bad rep for years under terrible management and a very aged board. The board members rarely even attended their own events. David Green stabilized it but the growth is questionable for sure. Balloons are a hit but not much else. If weather doesn’t cooperate, they are in big trouble. The county board needs to step up here. The fair board needs to be removed. Anyone serving more then 4 years needs to step down. They have minor sponsors thanks to Alpha-Media donations and free ads. As far as musical talent, no headliner, no crowd. Billy Dean is my grandpa’s age. Step up or step out.
this page needs a damn like button. nailed the shit out of that sir.
The fair has been dead for a long long time. sell half the property. leave the barns and fields for the girl’s to ride their horses. TEAR DOWN THE RACETRACK and move on. For one thing there is to much focus on the 4h farm aspect of it. this is mason city guy’s, not charles city. we have more urbanites at our fair country people enjoy the farm animal aspect and will go to franklin or worth. The north iowa fair used to bring excitement to kids faces. they dont care or know what the hell it is anymore. No fun rides just crap run by drug addicts, no good acts just bands that stopped being fair fare twenty years ago. if you dont have a midway you dont have an event lol no rip off games or funnel cake? why not just wait for minnesota state fair get out of lame ass iowa and spend you money somewhere where it wont be stolen to help someone purchase a new colbalt or camaro?
one thing about it, you get front row parking for your 15 minute visit. that’s all the longer it will take to see it all and go on all the rides
perfectly said
My Johnson is 3 feet long, it should be a fair attraction
it probably is to other guys with your mentality.
My, my, my! Talk about the people on the fair board puffing up their chest. Look at us and how great the fair was. Give me a break, get a Midway already.
The fair is an important part of North Iowa’s history and it is a shame they can’t get a Midway and book some national acts for entertainment,
we went two years back, we counted 18 people sitting on picnic benches and eating. Jesse was playing and no one was listening. SAD
With a long history of management theft, the “EVENT CENTER” reputation proceeds itself. Terrible midway, has-been singers, over priced food and no attractions besides the balloons. Many have tried to aid and turn it to no avail. If not for Alpha Media giving away ads spots, it would be barren. Sell the property and face reality of no one wanting to go there.
Agree. They can’t even paint their front sign and make it look presentable. The county needs to take this over with accountability.
What Midway will be coming to the North Iowa Fair? I see “free” carnival rides but didn’t see any name of the Midway or Carnival that is coming to the fair?
Your very good at throwing darts, you should enter the open darts tournament.
These aren’t darts that are being thrown. These are honest, rational questions about the fair. Questions that are probably being asked by more than one person who is interested in the fair. Questions that, with the fairs history, should and need to be answered.
Have you addressed your concerns with the Fair Board? Really expect any positive outcomes from posting your concerns here?
Oh, this is a chat room now? The N IA fair is done. We will be going to the Franklin County fair. It starts tomorrow.
It’s supposed to be a chat room, per say, but there are a few posters on this site that sling crap and name call, sad.
oh ellan boo hoo
per say
Numb nuts, i say!