Shriners, and other community groups all participate, generating nearly $900,000 in gross revenue in 2024 alone. “A lot of local people volunteer for those groups, and what that means is, after they pay all their bills, all those dollars really, truly do go back to local initiatives, whether that’s supporting youth or supporting other causes in the area,” he touts. TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION From connectivity to marketing and entertainment, technology has become increasingly important across the fairgrounds. Internet infrastructure is provided by Spencer Municipal Utilities, the fair’s but during fair week, the population swells dramatically. “It makes no sense that over 300,000 people join us in the nine days every September, but they truly do, decade in and decade out,” Brockshus says, noting that the small population can be a challenge when it comes to marketing to future vendors. “But they get here, and they see that we have amazing attendance.” The fair also supports over 13 nonprofit organizations that operate food stands and services on the grounds as fundraising opportunities. Organizations such as the Clay County Pork Producers, the Spencer Jaycees, Clay County Cattlemen, Kiwanis clubs, the YMCA, 88 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 13, ISSUE 01 CLAY COUNTY FAIR AND EVENTS CENTER
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