Bremer County Iowa Fairgrounds Events

Bremer County Fairgrounds is located at 300 39th Street NE, Waverly, Iowa 50677, on the eastern side of Waverly. The grounds serve Bremer County residents and visitors from surrounding communities who come for agricultural competitions, youth exhibitions, grandstand entertainment, and community gatherings. The Bremer County Fair Association manages the fairgrounds and coordinates the annual fair and other activities.

The current fairgrounds represent a major relocation project announced in 2019. The association selected a site covering more than 50 acres to provide room for new facilities, livestock activities, 4-H and FFA programs, and entertainment. The relocation also created opportunities to develop buildings that can serve the community outside the annual fair week.

Bremer County has a long agricultural tradition, and the fair provides a public setting for young exhibitors, farm families, local organizations, and residents to share their work. The event’s history reaches back to 1856, making it an established part of the county’s community calendar.

Upcoming Events at Bremer County Fairgrounds

The main annual attraction is the Bremer County Fair, but the grounds also host activities outside fair week. The fair association advertises community gatherings, fundraising events, and private facility rentals. Past and recurring off-season offerings have included a Lions pancake breakfast, bingo nights, and a haunted hayride. Availability and dates vary by year.

Agricultural programming is another important part of the calendar. Livestock shows, horse events, poultry and dog shows, static exhibits, crop displays, and youth presentations are associated with the county’s 4-H and FFA fair program. The schedule is generally concentrated around summer, when exhibitors prepare animals and projects for judging.

Residents looking for upcoming events in Bremer County should check announcements from the fair association and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Bremer County. These are the most useful places to confirm show schedules, registration deadlines, grandstand entertainment, and changes to event arrangements.

The fairgrounds also advertise rentals for weddings, parties, and other special occasions. Anyone planning an event should contact the fair’s management to confirm which buildings and outdoor areas are available, what equipment is included, and whether a particular date is open.

The Bremer County Fair

Annual Fair Dates: July 26–August 1, 2027

The Bremer County Fair’s published schedule lists July 26 through August 1, 2027, for the next annual fair. The 2026 fair was scheduled for July 26 through August 1, 2026. Visitors should confirm the next program’s daily timetable before traveling, particularly for ticketed grandstand events.

Explore Bremer County Iowa Fairgrounds Events for information about agricultural fairs livestock exhibitions community gatherings and vendor opportunities. Visitors can also check Boone County Iowa Fairgrounds Events for more information about Iowa fairgrounds.

Livestock and Competitive Exhibits

The fair’s agricultural program gives young exhibitors an opportunity to demonstrate animal care, project preparation, and practical skills. Bremer County’s 4-H and FFA program includes beef and dairy cattle, goats, poultry, dogs, horses, pets, crops, horticulture, and static projects. The specific classes and show times depend on the current fair book.

Other exhibit categories may include creative arts, clothing, family and consumer sciences, photography, crafts, and food-related projects. Participants should consult the current rules rather than assume every category accepts entries each year.

Carnival, Food, and Grandstand Entertainment

Carnival rides and midway attractions provide activities beyond the livestock barns and exhibit buildings. The fair has featured traveling carnival entertainment, but the operator, ride selection, operating hours, and advance ticket offers should be checked for each season.

Fair food is another familiar part of the experience. Visitors can look for concession stands and food vendors during fair week, although individual menus and participating community organizations can change from year to year.

Grandstand programming can include motor-sport and pulling events. The fair’s advertised 2026 program included a farm truck and tractor pull, figure-eight races, and Power Wheels derby activities. These are examples of past programming, not a guarantee of the 2027 lineup.

Admission and Parking

The fair’s published 2026 information stated free general admission and free parking. Individual grandstand events could still require separate tickets. Because pricing and policies may change, visitors should confirm the current arrangements before attending the 2027 fair.

Facilities and Grounds

The relocated grounds were planned as a multi-use complex, with space for livestock, youth exhibitions, entertainment, and community events. The development project has included work on a 4-H and FFA exhibition complex and livestock facilities. Construction and facility improvements have been undertaken in stages, so visitors should not assume every proposed building or feature is complete.

The site supports agricultural displays and outdoor activities, while indoor event spaces can accommodate meetings and gatherings. The exact number of buildings, total seating capacity, RV hookup availability, and permanent stall inventory should be confirmed with the fair association.

The fair’s published visitor information has identified accessible parking and a small raised area for wheelchair seating at grandstand events. Visitors requiring specific accommodations should call ahead, as parking arrangements and accessible facilities may vary by event. During major grandstand programs, golf-cart shuttles have also been advertised with assistance from the Waverly Lions Club.

Before visiting, check whether an event offers on-site concessions, accessible restrooms, first aid, or designated parking. These amenities should not be assumed available at every off-season gathering.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial vendors interested in participating in the Bremer County Fair should contact the fair’s management or events and rentals coordinator. Booth space, electricity, setup periods, insurance requirements, fees, and application deadlines depend on the event and available space.

Competitive exhibitors should use the current fair book to identify the correct class, required forms, judging rules, and deadlines. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Bremer County publishes the 4-H and FFA schedules and entry information.

For the 2026 fair, the extension office stated that livestock and static entries could begin through FairEntry on June 1, with no entries accepted after July 1. The listed entry fee was $2. These were 2026 requirements; exhibitors preparing for 2027 should wait for the updated fair book and entry instructions.

Commercial vendors and competitive exhibitors follow different processes. A food truck or craft seller should ask about commercial space, while a 4-H member entering a livestock or static project should follow the relevant youth exhibition rules.

Getting to Bremer County Fairgrounds

The fairgrounds are at 300 39th Street NE in Waverly. For drivers approaching from US Highway 218, the fair’s published directions advise taking Exit 198 onto 4th Street SW, continuing north, and then using Cedar River Parkway and East Bremer Avenue, also identified as Highway 3, before turning north onto 39th Street NE.

Visitors coming from Waterloo, Cedar Falls, or other nearby Iowa communities should plan their route to Waverly and check local traffic conditions before major fair events. The exact approach can depend on the direction of travel and any temporary traffic controls.

No regular public-transit service or dedicated fair-week shuttle route should be assumed without confirmation. The fair has advertised golf-cart shuttle assistance during grandstand events, but that is different from a scheduled public transportation service.

For rideshare arrivals, drivers should follow event-day signs and instructions from parking attendants rather than stopping in traffic lanes or blocking access roads.

4-H and FFA at Bremer County Fairgrounds

The Bremer County Fair plays an important role in youth agricultural education. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Bremer County helps coordinate 4-H activities, exhibition requirements, educational programs, and the county fair schedule.

Young exhibitors can develop skills in animal husbandry, recordkeeping, public speaking, project planning, and presenting their work to judges. The fair’s livestock and static project programs give participants opportunities to demonstrate what they have learned throughout the year.

FFA participation adds another agricultural education pathway for local students. Exhibitors should consult their club leaders, FFA advisers, or the extension office to determine eligibility and registration requirements for each class.

Junior Livestock Auction

Livestock auctions give eligible youth exhibitors an opportunity to present qualifying animals to prospective buyers. The precise auction schedule, eligible species, buyer registration procedures, and rules governing proceeds must be confirmed in the current fair book.

An archival photograph from 1956 documents strong community interest in the Bremer County 4-H livestock auction, with reported auction totals of $20,711. This historical record illustrates how youth livestock exhibitions have connected agricultural education with local buyers for generations.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

The Bremer County Fairgrounds are intended to serve residents beyond the main summer event. Off-season activities can provide opportunities for families, community organizations, and private groups to use the facilities.

• Community fundraisers: Events such as pancake breakfasts can bring residents together while supporting local organizations.
• Bingo and seasonal gatherings: The fair’s advertised off-season calendar has included bingo nights and a haunted hayride.
• Private celebrations: Weddings, parties, and other special occasions can be arranged through the fair’s rental program.
• Agricultural activities: Youth meetings, livestock-related events, and other agricultural programs can take place outside the main fair week.

The availability of flea markets, gun shows, rodeos, motocross, ATV competitions, and touring concerts should be verified individually. These events should not be treated as confirmed annual fixtures unless they appear on the current calendar.

History of Bremer County Fairgrounds

The Bremer County Fair dates its history to 1856, connecting the event to Iowa’s long tradition of agricultural exhibitions. Over time, county fairs became important places for farmers to exhibit livestock and crops, families to display practical skills, and young people to participate in organized competitions.

A surviving 1956 photograph of the Bremer County fairgrounds shows a crowd gathered around the 4-H livestock auction. The record captures the fair’s role in agricultural education and community commerce decades before the present site was developed.

A major modern change came in December 2019, when the Bremer County Fair Association announced plans to relocate the fairgrounds to a site on Waverly’s east side. The proposed property covered more than 50 acres and was selected to provide space for new facilities, youth programs, and future growth.

The new location at 300 39th Street NE represents a substantial change from the former fairgrounds. Construction and fundraising have continued as the association develops buildings and supporting infrastructure. The fair’s relocation history also explains why older directions, maps, and photographs may refer to a different site.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Bremer County Fair in 2027?

The published dates for the 2027 Bremer County Fair are July 26 through August 1. Check the updated daily schedule before attending a particular competition or grandstand event.

What time does Bremer County Fairgrounds open?

During the 2026 fair, the published grounds hours were 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. These were fair-week hours, not necessarily the schedule for the 2027 fair or off-season events.

Is there camping at Bremer County Fairgrounds?

Camping availability and RV hookups should be confirmed directly with fair management. Do not assume that overnight parking, electrical connections, or water hookups are available without approval.

How do I enter livestock in the Bremer County Fair?

Review the current Bremer County 4-H and FFA fair book, complete the required entry process, and check animal health and identification requirements. Contact the extension office if you need help determining eligibility or deadlines.

Are dogs allowed at Bremer County Fairgrounds?

Pet admission rules can vary by event and by whether an animal is an eligible show entry or a service animal. Confirm the current policy with fair management before bringing a dog.

Where do I park at Bremer County Fairgrounds?

The fairgrounds are located at 300 39th Street NE in Waverly. Follow event-day signs and parking attendants’ instructions. The fair’s published 2026 policy listed free parking.

Who do I contact to rent Bremer County Fairgrounds?

Contact the fair’s general manager and events or rentals coordinator at 319-596-6472. Ask about available dates, facility capacity, fees, and event requirements.

How much does it cost to get into the Bremer County Fair?

The published 2026 policy offered free general admission and parking, although certain grandstand events had separate ticket prices. Confirm 2027 pricing before your visit.

Where is Bremer County Fairgrounds located?

The physical address is 300 39th Street NE, Waverly, Iowa 50677. The site is on the eastern side of Waverly and can be reached using the local route from US Highway 218 and Highway 3.

How can I become a vendor at the Bremer County Fair?

Contact the fair association to ask about commercial booth applications, available space, fees, insurance, and setup deadlines. Apply early because requirements and space availability depend on the event.

Does Bremer County Fairgrounds host events outside fair week?

Yes. The association advertises off-season activities and private rentals, including community gatherings, seasonal events, weddings, and parties. Check the current calendar for confirmed dates.