Fair Week Fun Starts with Staying Safe
posted by Angel Smith on Thursday, September 4, 2025
The Clay County Fair is almost here, and Clay County Public Health wants you to enjoy all the food, rides, animals, and entertainment while staying safe and healthy!
Each year after the fair, we often see an increase in illnesses like Cryptosporidiosis and E. coli. These can cause diarrhea, stomach cramping, and vomiting, and are often linked to germs picked up around animals and carried into mouths before hands are washed.
The good news? With just a few simple precautions, you can protect yourself and your family while making the most of fair week:
Tips for Staying Healthy Around Animals
- Wash hands thoroughly – after leaving animal barns, using soap and water whenever possible. Hand sanitizer is helpful, but washing is best.
- Keep little hands out of mouths – thumbs, fingers, or objects in the mouth can carry germs straight into the body. Children are especially at risk for serious illness.
- Leave food, drinks, strollers, and toys outside – livestock barns to avoid bringing germs home.
- Supervise children closely – kids under 5 should avoid contact with reptiles, amphibians, and live poultry because these animals carry higher risks of illness.
- Respect animals’ space – animals can act unpredictably in a busy environment.
Other Fair Safety Reminders
- Protect your skin – sunburns don’t just happen on hot, sunny days. Cloudy skies can still cause damage. Just one blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles the risk of melanoma later in life.
- Ride smart – loose clothing, drawstrings, or long hair can get caught in ride equipment. Follow all safety rules before hopping on.
- Stay alert – with so much going on, it’s easy to get distracted. Keep an eye out for animals being led through crowds, as well as scooters, tractors, golf carts, and other vehicles moving through the fairgrounds.
If You or Someone Else Gets Sick or Injured
- For emergencies, call 911.
- First Aid Station – located on the fairgrounds near the Depot and Family Place all week with Clay County EMS and Spencer Hospital paramedics available for many events.
- If you get sick a day or two later, let your provider know you attended the fair.
Don’t Miss First Responders Day
This year, we invite you to join us on First Responders Day at the fair on Wednesday, September 10! Stop by Central Park on the Fairgrounds to:
- Visit with Spencer Hospital staff and learn to Stop the Bleed – a hands-on program where you can discover how to save a life in just 30 seconds.
- Donate blood with LifeServe – a blood drive will be held from 10 AM – 3 PM, and every donation makes a difference by helping to increase our local blood supply. You can sign up here: Clay County Fair Blood Drive Registration.
Have fun at the Clay County Fair this year, stay safe, and don’t forget to wash your hands and wear sunscreen!
- public health
- publichealth