Local Calendar of Events 2009-2010

September

• Sept. 12-19 Clay County Fair,
  What began as a four-day county fair which attracted 28,000 people in 1918 has evolved into the "world's greatest county fair." Best known for its agribusiness machinery displays, the fair devotes 35 acres to agricultural equipment, making it the largest and most comprehensive agribusiness display in the country. The fair also features big name entertainment, 4-H and FFA displays and events, chuckwagon and harness racing, truck and tractor pulls, a rodeo, car races and a carnival. There are approximately 500 commercial exhibit booths. Cattle, horses and sheep are available for viewing all nine days of the fair. Poultry are displayed the first four days and rabbits are on exhibit the last five days.

October

• Oct. 19-31 Spirit Lake Mainsail & KUOO Haunted House

2010

January

• January 29-31 Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games
  Join the fun on Smith's Bay, on West Lake Okoboji, the last full weekend in January and see why the University of Okoboji Winter Games is the most anticipated annual winter event in the Iowa Great Lakes. Many exciting activities are slated for each year's extravaganza with events such as a broom ball tournament, bike rides, chili cook-off, talent shows, ice fishing for the kids, 5K & 10K Road Race & Walk, ice mini-golf, dog sled rides, snowball football & softball, a Christmas tree bonfire, and a big fireworks display on Saturday nights.

May

• May 1-2 27th Annual Great Walleye Weekend
  Dust off your reel and check your line! Kick off the 2009 walleye season at the Iowa Great Lakes during the 27th Annual Great Walleye Weekend, May 1 and 2. This two-day fishing tournament benefits Easter Seals, a statewide non-profit organization that provides programming and services to children and adults with disabilities or other special needs and their families. A record number of anglers cast their line in last year’s Great Walleye Weekend, attempting to land one of six specially tagged walleye. The specially tagged walleye are distributed in West and East Okoboji Lakes and Big Spirit Lake by the Department of Natural Resources. A tagged walleye is worth $10,000 if caught by a registered contestant during the contest hours. If more than one of the tagged walleye is caught, the $10,000 is equally divided.