Episode
Raising Citizens of Tomorrow: The Madison County Fair with Kayla Reynolds
- Podcast
- Bridging The Gap
- Published
- Jun 17, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2144
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Summary
Welcome to Bridging the Gap, the Madison County Chamber podcast, where local stories, businesses, and community connections come together. In this episode, we sit down with Kayla Reynolds, treasurer of the Madison County Fairboard, to talk about what makes the Madison County Fair such a special tradition and what visitors can expect when the fair returns this year.Now in her 14th year on the board, Kayla shares how she first got involved, why county fairs hold such a unique place in rural Iowa, and how 4-H and FFA help raise the citizens of tomorrow. From livestock shows and the premium auction to fair food favorites and a brand new beer garden, she walks through the events, the behind the scenes work, and the capital campaign that will shape the fairgrounds for years to come.In this episode, we cover:• How Kayla joined the Madison County Fairboard and her 14 years of service• What makes county fairs unique and why they honor rural heritage• How 4-H and FFA build work ethic, confidence, and communication skills in youth• What visitors can expect this year, including night shows, food vendors, and competitions• The new beer garden being trialed during night shows• Can't miss events for first time fairgoers, from livestock shows to mud races• Favorite fair foods and the nonprofit vendors behind them• The premium auction and how the community gives back to young exhibitors• Supreme showmanship and the skill behind showing animals• The volunteers and superintendents who make the fair happen• The challenges of running a fair like a business• The capital campaign and the new buildings coming to the fairgroundsWhether you grew up showing at the fair, you're planning your first visit, or you simply want to support a tradition that brings the whole community together, this epis…