In an interview, Montgomery County ISU Extension Director Sadie Lindgren said fair preparation is already in full swing. Livestock entries are being processed now, with a May 15 deadline for all livestock to be entered. Lindgren said livestock participation numbers are up so far this year, though static exhibit numbers are not yet known.
The office is also getting ready for summer programming. Lindgren said interns Chloe Bruce and Ella Johnson are scheduled to begin May 18, and Extension staff are continuing work on judges, background planning, and other fair-related preparation. She noted that planning for each year’s fair begins right after the previous one ends.
- Sheep and goat weigh-in is scheduled for May 2 from 9 to 10 a.m.
- Babysitting Basics is June 2 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Montgomery County Extension Office.
- Jam Making for Youth is June 9 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Maryland Lutheran Church in Stanton.
- Science of Barbecue is June 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Gold Fair building in Red Oak.
- Agriculture Every Day is June 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the YMCA in Red Oak.
- Astro Camp: Mission Moon Landing is June 24 at the White Fair building in Red Oak.
- Registration links are available on the Montgomery County IA Extension website and Facebook page.
- The youth virtual fishing tournament is in its second year.
- The fishing tournament is open to youth who have completed kindergarten through 12th grade.
- The tournament runs from May 1 through July 31.
- Fish must be caught in Iowa.
- Accepted species include bass, bluegill, and catfish.
- Youth can submit multiple entries.
- Entries require one photo of the youth holding the fish and one photo of the fish next to a tape measure.
- Photos should be emailed to
xmontgomery@iastate.edu. - An awards ceremony is planned for August.
- The 2026 Montgomery County Fair book is now live on the Extension website under 4-H and Youth, then County Fair.
