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The North Iowa Events Center is a gathering place for the community and home of the North Iowa Fair!
Venue Name: North Iowa Events Center
Category: Venue
Location: North Iowa Events Center – 3700 4th St SW, Mason City, Iowa 50401 USA
Phone: (641)423-3811
Email: office[at]northiowafair.org
www: northiowaeventscenter.org/
Timings: 09:00 AM – 17:00 PM
North Iowa Events Center: Overview
North Iowa Events Center (NIEC) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, proud to serve as the premiere recreational event complex for North Iowans, tourists and guests.
Our diverse client base benefits from multiple, distinct venues and the commitments we have to quality of life, exemplary service and attention to detail.
NIEC provides a local link between Iowa’s rich agricultural heritage and budding future, while celebrating key relationships between agriculture, business and community.
Proceeds from all members and sponsors are used for expenses associated with the NIEC mission, which is to produce the annual fair, incorporate youth shows and agriculture along with educational, competitive and recreational entertainment opportunities for the county we represent with great pride.
History:
The North Iowa Fair Association was formed on April 11th, 1940 and leased the fairgrounds on South Federal from the organization who had been running it for years named the North Iowa Fair. At their last meeting on April 9th, 1940 they lease the grounds to the new group and ceased operations at that point due to financials concerns of the group. The first meeting of the newly formed North Iowa Fair Association was held on April 18th, 1940 at the Hanford Hotel here in Mason City with the following directors serving the newly formed group. President Ray Robbins, VP H.W. Girton, Sec./Treas. R.V. Wilkinson, John Barragy of Rockwell, Edward Boyle of Clear Lake, Leigh Curran of Mason City, Earl Dean of Mason City, Clarency Gasswint of Mason City, F.C. Henemen of Mason City, Carl Henkel of Mason City, M.C. Lawson of Mason City, Lee Loomis of Mason City, Tad Martin of Mason City, O.A. Satter of Mason City, Paul Stevenson of Mason City, C.E. Strickland of Mason City, Fred Wagner of Mason City and Ted Wolfram of Clear Lake. Soon after this meeting they hired Mr. A.C. Hansen of Albert leas Minnesota as the first Manger / Secretary of the organization.
On October 19th, 1950 the decision was made to authorize the secretary to enter into a agreement to purchase 80 acres on the west end of Mason City from Mr. L.R. Wagnor for $30,000.00 and enter into an option for another adjacent 40 acres for $10,000.00 from the Wagnor family which they later purchased for the purpose of building a new facility for North Iowa.
On April 22nd, 1953 after considerable discussion it was decided to form a committee to appraise the old grounds on South Federal and solicit sealed bids for the property from interested purchasers.
On December 22, 1953 the board again decided to acquire an option on another 40 acres adjacent to the original 80 acres purchased earlier from the Wagnor family for a cost of $22,500.00. The ground was later purchased which made up the 160 acres that would one day be the new home to the fairgrounds. On October 18th, 1955 an offer was received and accepted for the old grounds on South Federal to be used for business development for Mason City. By the beginning of 1956 the new location for the fairgrounds on the west side of Mason City was in full development mode and has served the North Iowa area for over 65 years.. The facility then on the west side of Mason City provide them room to grow and expand outside of Mason City and provide for years of memories created by the youth and adult interaction here in North Iowa. While we have seen lots of changes over the 65 plus years at our current facility we continue to provide the youth an opportunity to grow and expand their skills in projects with 4H and FFA projects. We have also grown to provide venues attraction large events such as horse shows, rodeos, trade shows along with weddings and other special occasion group gatherings. We still have a lot of memories yet to make and are currently investing in facility upgrades to improve everyone’s experience when attending the fair or other events hosted on the grounds. We have big plans for 2021 and beyond and invite you to be a part of something special here at the North Iowa Events Center. On behalf of the directors and staff of the North Iowa Fair Association we Thank You for the past 65 years and look forward to another 65 years of memories not yet made, Please join us for the next exciting chapter of our journey yet to be written as it is just waiting for you to be a part of the memories.
