History
In 1845, Iowa was the 29th state to be admitted into the Union. Ten years later, the first Warren County Fair was held October 1-2, 1855 in the southeast part of Indianola. The following year, the fair was held on 20 acres of ground that was purchased by the Warren County Agricultural Society for $320. The fairgrounds look much different today, but it is still held at this same location. Today the fair combines youth and open-class exhibits with delicious fair food, carnival rides, music, and grandstand events for an annual event that is “kind of a big deal!”
FUTURE FAIR DATES
2025: July 23 to July 28
2026: July 22 to July 27
2027: July 28 to August 1
Leadership
Warren County Fair Officers
President: Marty Overmann
Vice President: Scott Wilson
Secretary: Jo Reynolds, IFMG, CFE
Treasurer: John Keeney
Directors
Allen Township: Reed McCormick, Pleasantvill
Belmont Township: Marty Overmann, Ackworth
East Lincoln Township: Zac Preston, Indianola
Greenfield Township: Bob Freese, Indianola
Jackson Township: Aaron Frazier, St. Charles
Jefferson Township: Malinda Palmer, Indianola
Liberty Township: Larry Snuggs, Lacona
Linn Township: Mike Perry, Norwalk
Otter Township: Joel Mosher, Milo
Palmyra Township: John Keeney, Carlisle
Richland Township: Tom Nicholls, Carlisle
Squaw Township: Rick Cheers, Indianola
Union Township: Justin Septer, Ackworth
Virginia Township: Scott Wilson, New Virginia
West Lincoln Township: Martin Reynolds, Indianola
Whitebreast Township: Dustin Olsasky, Milo
White Oak Township: Brad Kaufman, Indianola
Indianola Director-at-Large: Michael Charleville, Cutler Palar, Blake Reynolds & Larry McConnell
Superintendents
(Chairman in each division is the first person listed.)
Beef: Brandon Reynolds, Reed McCormick, Gene Bedwell, Derek Hommer, Bob Dyer, Curtis Harsh, Ryan Onstot
Dairy Cattle: Ken Core, Dan Dykstra, Jeff Byers, Kendra Keller
Swine: Kim DeLay, Hunter Kingsbury, Joel Mosher, Jamie Bishop, Eric Fee
Sheep: Larry Snuggs, Charlie Snuggs, Aaron Roth, Annie Palmer, Meg Thomas
Goats: Trent Butler, Abbey Pals
Bucket Calf: Ken Core & Kendra Keller
Horses: Sarlynn Heston, Mike Perry, Jessica Anania, Rod Bloom, Mike Meyer, Ian Ackerson
Advanced Cattle Feeders: Brandon Reynolds, Tom Nicholls, Kevin Smith, Jim Nicholls
Dogs: Karen Dutcher, Cindy Gillenwater
Rabbits: Amy Jakes, Tahra Bedwell
4-H Poultry: Marty Overmann, Jason Fantz
Open Poultry: Phyllis Essick, Melinda Davis
4-H Livestock Auction: John Keeney, Kevin Smith, Adam Brummer, Tom Nicholls, Brandon Smtih
Agricultural: Larry Skellenger, Suson Laws
Culinary: Kathy Overmann, Barb Mentzer
Textile: Jenny Young
Genealogy: Carla Anders
Fine Art: Malinda Palmer, Dawn Gruis
Creative Art: Ronda Kaldenberg
Flowers: Sharon Weeks, Jenny Messer
Amphitheater & Tickets: Kim Wilson, Kendra Keller, Sare Seager
Grandstand Entertainment: Blake Reynolds, Amy Fredricks, Brandon Gavin, Tom Nicholls, Josh Jensen, Nathan Fredricks
Free Stage: Malinda Palmer, Cindy Gillenwater, Lisa Gray
Fair Queen Contest: Sheila Miller, Amber Martin
Buildings/Grounds/Maintenance: Zac Preston, Kaden Fitzgerald, Cutler Palar, Brandon Reynolds, Brad Kaufman, Scott Wilson
Grandstand Entertainment: Blake Reynolds, Tom Nicholls, Nathan Fredricks, Amy Fredricks, Brian Hommer, Brad Clevenger
Official Warren County Fair Veterinarians: Indianola Vet Clinic — Dr. Sandy, Dr. Stumpf, Dr. Rosenberger, Dr. Piersma, Dr. von Rentzell, Dr. Keck
The Warren County Fairgrounds is a privately owned and operated facility and the following are NOT allowed: pets, weapons, alcohol, skateboards, roller blades, hover boards, metal detectors, & solicting without permission.