ROCK RAPIDS, Iowa (KELO) – As we’ve seen over the last week or so, portions of Rock Rapids, Iowa received a lot of water.
One area that is heavily damaged by flooding is the fairgrounds. The county has now put its racing season and hold and moved the Lyon County Fair.
Between the broken cement, exposed cords, and ruts caused by floodwaters, no events will be happing any time soon at the Rock Rapids fairgrounds.
“The racing season has been put on hold for the foreseeable future. We don’t know. We’re still waiting for approval of the grounds and the grounds need to be repaired before anybody can be here. And we need the clearance for the grandstand building and other buildings. They are deemed unsafe, a couple of them. So they have to be taken care of first,” Darrin Korthals Race track manager said.
Right now they are taking it one step at a time. However, it is still taking a toll.
“I don’t know, grit your teeth and go on. Every day you come down here, you feel like you got kicked in the gut, literally,” Wesley DeGroot Fair Board President said.
With the recent flood, the fairgrounds in Rock Rapids are in rough shape, but with the help of the community they hope to bring it back to life.
“You overcome it with teamwork. And we’re the Fair board. And along with us, we’re pretty ornery, stubborn people. We will we’ll get everything, everything going again. It’s just going to take time,” Darrin Korthals Race track manager said.
“It’s just that camaraderie that we will miss out on this year. But we will be back next year in 2025. Strong as ever with you know wonderful plans for our fair,” Lori Rens Fair Board Secretary said.
For now, all the community can do is wait and see.
The livestock portion of the Lyon County Fair was moved to Osceola Country. The other parts will be held in other areas of Rock Rapids and Lester.
For more information about the Lyon County Fair click here.
