Rock Rapids, Iowa — It’s time for what is billed as “the best four days of summer.” The Lyon County Fair is on now in Rock Rapids.
Jared Ageson is on the Lyon County Fair Board. He was in the middle of the action at the fair when we caught up with him, and he highlights some of the goings-on in Rock Rapids.
The 4H and FFA buildings are open, as is the commercial building.
He tells us Tuesday is Kids’ Day at the fair.
Also on Tuesday evening, there’s a Demonstration Garden Tour. The garden is immediately to your right as you enter the main fair gate. Find more information on the tour below. Ageson says many activities are in store for Wednesday as well.
Thursday is the swine show, and some of the exhibits will be released. The 4-H Foundation Supper starts at 5:45, and from 7:30 to 9:30 it’s the Youth Fun Night.
Ageson says that as has become the tradition, the Rapid Speedway Races on Friday night will have free admission, thanks to the Lyon County Fair Board.
Click here for the full schedule of events at the Lyon County Fair.
From the Lyon County Office of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach — Regarding the Demonstration Garden Tour:
Local gardeners and interested community members will have the opportunity to learn about gardening basics, cut flowers and enjoy a healthy snack at the Lyon County Demonstration Garden Tour, hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach on Tuesday, July 19 at 5:15 p.m. at the Lyon County Fair.
The evening program will be focused on hands-on education as participants take an in-person tour of the garden and learn about the Growing Together for Iowa Grant that helps fund the garden project, led by Dustin Kohn, Horticulture Intern, and Carly Herum, Lyon County Agriculture Program Coordinator, both of whom are employed locally by ISU Extension and Outreach.
“We invite the public to join us for a fun night of horticulture learning,” Kohn said. “We’re excited to showcase our youth gardeners, as well as the donation garden and cut flower plot.”
The night will begin with the youth garden tour at 5:15 p.m. which will highlight both “Growing in the Garden” Camp for youth who have completed 1st through 3rd grade and “Ready, Set, Grow!” Garden Club for youth who have completed 4th grade and up. During this segment of the tour, Laura Beyenhof, Lyon County K-12 Program Coordinator, and Jill Postma, Lyon County Youth Coordinator, will lead campers in showcasing their garden plots and what they’ve been learning this summer.
Following the youth garden tour, the Demonstration Garden Tour will begin. Kohn will guide participants through the garden, highlighting the plants grown in this year’s cut flower and donation garden quadrants.
“We will share about the importance of growing vegetables and what is doing well in our garden,” Kohn said. “Attendees will also see a beautiful cut flower garden with several floral varieties that grow well right here in Lyon County.”
There is no pre-registration or fee to attend the garden tour; however, participants are asked to dress for the weather, including sunscreen and their own form of insect protection.
