New fairgrounds built on a legacy of a county’s pride and a belief in the next generation

For 149 years, the Bremer County Fair called the same grounds home. Then it did something almost unheard of.

“We are the third fair in the state of Iowa over the last approximately 85 years that has ever relocated,” said Roy Petersen, Bremer County Fair Association Board member. “Fairs don’t move.”

But Bremer County did.

In 2025, the new fairgrounds became home to the 150th Bremer County Fair. It was a milestone marked not only by celebration, but by transformation. What began as an expiring lease became a bold, community-led vision to create a space designed for generations.

Today, the fair operates on nearly 50 acres, up from 18, representing a $6 million investment made possible by local families, volunteers, businesses, and donors who believed in strengthening their community.

At its heart, that investment is about young people.

“It’s about the kids,” Roy said. “They’ve been working on projects all year long. You’re only seeing the final results at the fair.”

For 4-H and FFA youth, the fair is months of responsibility, problem-solving, and growth. They learn to care for animals, manage projects, and present their work with confidence, building skills that last far beyond the fair.

But the impact extends beyond youth. The fair is one of the few places where an entire county gathers. Grandparents watch grandchildren in the show ring. Neighbors reconnect. Families spend time together. In a busy world, the fair creates space
to slow down and belong.

“The gates are open,” Roy said. “This is the people’s.”

Designed for year-round use, the fairgrounds now host events that draw visitors from across the region and beyond, which fuels local businesses and generates meaningful economic activity.

“We’re not talking hundreds of thousands,” Roy said. “We’re talking possibly millions in impact.”

Grant support from the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, including a $100,000 Mission Fulfillment grant in 2025, and the Bremer County Community Foundation, helped bring this vision to life.

“It is an investment in our youth,” Roy said. “The kids we have at the fair are the leaders of tomorrow.”

In Bremer County, the fair is more than an event. It is a place where people come together and where
a community invests in its future.