Fair Board Created

In 1900, management of the Fair by the State Agricultural Society was superseded by a Board of Agriculture. In 1923, the Iowa General Assembly created the Department of Agriculture as well as a separate State Fair Board to manage the State Fair.

The aftermath of the collision of “Gold Bug” and “Silver Bug” in 1896. Originally the Board consisted of the Governor, the Secretary of Agriculture, the president of Iowa State University, one elected director from each of six Congressional Districts, three at-large directors, plus a secretary/manager and treasurer elected by the Board.

Following redistricting in 1991, this was modified to include two directors from each of five Districts, with no at-large members. Due to a State of Iowa Code change in 2002, delegates of six geographic state fair board districts elected two board members each, increasing the number of State Fair Board Directors from 10 to 12.

Still in operation, the Board gathers at a convention each December to elect directors. Delegates from Iowa’s 105 county fairs elect Board members.

By statute, the Fair Board is the custodian of the Fairgrounds and is charged with the management of the annual Fair. The secretary-manager takes direct charge. The law provides that all operating expense, maintenance, etc., shall be paid out of the Fair’s receipts unless there is a special appropriation made by the Legislature.

Special appropriations have been made since 1902 by the General Assembly for the construction of permanent buildings, purchase of additional land and grounds improvement. Tax money has never been used for salaries, amusements or operating expense. The title to the Fairgrounds and all property belongs to the state.