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Lee County Fair Opens, Looking to Grow

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Lee County Fair

The oldest county fair in Iowa is now underway and organizers are trying to make sure it continues for decades to come.

The Lee County Fair has been around for nearly 175 years, in no small part because of the work of the Lee County Fair Board, a group of volunteers who plan and organize the nearly week-long event.

The money to pay for the fair comes primarily from ticket sales, concessions and souvenirs with the rest coming from sponsorships.

Fair Manager Lindsey Lampe said as much as they try, sometimes that is not enough money.

"We are lucky if we break even, we may make a little bit. But from year to year, we have not made much money," said Lampe.

She hopes to change that this year with the addition of some new attractions. 

They include Kenny's Funland Carnival and a traveling display from the National Guard featuring NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr's Number 88.

The Lee County Fair Board also hopes to boost revenue for the event once repairs and upgrades are completed on the fairground's grandstand.

The schedule of events for fair week is quite lengthy.  The highlights include a demolition derby Saturday, July 12, a truck pull Sunday, July 13, and live music each night.