Wyoming Fair History
The 2026 Wyoming Fair, taking place July 10th-12th will be our 92nd Annual, dating back to humble beginnings in1935. A Draft Horse Show and Smelt Fry co-sponsored by the Wyoming Community Horse Show and the Wyoming Commercial Club got all of this started. By 1948 these groups merged to become the Wyoming Community Club and in 1959, the organization become the Wyoming Fair Association you have come to know and love today. Let's take a bit of a step back:
The Annual Draft Horse Show was held at the intersection of Jones and Main Street in Wyoming until 1957 when the Iowa DOT no longer would allow the closure of a State Highway for three days. Rather than cancel the whole thing Board Members creatively moved to the Wyoming School grounds for the 1958 show.
That action led to a key moment in our history, where four visionary leaders came up with the idea to expand the Organization, rename it and further serve the SE Jones County Area. At that moment, the Wyoming Fair Association was born as it purchased our current 28 acres of land, thereby expanding the City of Wyoming footprint and creating a Community Park for all citizens of SE Jones County to enjoy.
In 1957, three of those four amazing volunteer directors personally guaranteed the loan on the new property - Fred Petersen, Don Brunscheen and Jack Eichhorn - who's personal dedication, resolve and conviction allowed the Wyoming Fair Association expand into what we are proud that you are seeing today.
In addition, that idea led to the Midland Community School District Athletic Football, Baseball and Softball fields being located on our grounds several years later, and in 2021 our grounds expanded by six acres to the West to provide more parking for all activities which now include a total of 34 acres.
The smelt fry from the 1930's also continues as our Annual Fish/Chicken Fry in January at Memorial Hall in Wyoming, where we are proud to say we serve the hands down best Fish and Chicken Meal you'll enjoy all year!
Fast forward to now, in addition to the Fair, our grounds provide not only a gathering place for the Wyoming Community and beyond yet also multiple Softball, Baseball, and Football fields for Midland athletes, their family and friends. Our grounds also serve as a practice area for the Midland golf teams, Midland FFA events, Jones County Cattlemen educational events, several popular team roping events and area Horse Shows in the Horse Arena along with many special celebrations like graduations, reunions, wedding receptions, birthday parties and so on in our buildings!
For grounds and building rental for your occasion call Steve 319-480-2883
