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Retiring CEO says future of Iowa State Fair is bright
The outgoing CEO says the future of the Iowa State Fair looks bright.
Gary Slater announced his retirement earlier this month and tells Brownfield a $25 million renovation project is planned for the cattle, swine, horse, and sheep barns.
“Those areas of the fairgrounds (are) well-used of course, they’re all full of livestock during the fair. But they all need some renovation, so I think that’s an exciting project that will happen over the next three to four years.”
He says a newly completed outdoor entertainment area will be able to seat around 5,000 people.
“That’s where we have our tractor pull, that’s where we have our demolition derby. We’ll be able to go forward with lots of other events such as rodeo, ATV races, things like that to enhance our programming in that area.”
Slater says the Iowa State Fair is also looking into a new facility that would enhance awareness of ag education and crop production.
I worked at the Iowa State Fair and I worked there prior to Slater coming to the fair and after he came and I would like to see his proof of over a million people which amount’s to a lot of dollars I think the truth has been stretched for quite a few years. My length of time at the fair was 27 years so l and my crew seen a lot that was not true from what he has told you.