Everyone in the Cedar Valley has attended the annual Cattle Congress fair, a tradition dating back to 1910. Cattle Congress holds other events and activities, like weddings, fundraising events and workplace celebrations.

The fair is the most popular, including rides for all ages, food and small businesses in the Hippodrome!

Besides the fair, the Cattle Congress often holds livestock events.  These events are open to children all around Iowa and are an opportunity for them to win scholarships. Their program discovery provides over 2800 students with experience with farming and agriculture, which is very important for future Midwestern generations to understand.

In 2017, they were awarded with the Blue Ribbon by the Association of Iowa Fairs, for the services they provide to the youth. The Blue Ribbon is an education award program that also helps with scholarships and awards.

The first National Cattle Congress opened on October 10, 1910 by Hugh G. Van Pelt, the general manager of the first five NCCs. The first Cattle show was here in the Cedar Valley, just east of the river.

Originally, members of the congress committees were worried about building it here in Waterloo and preferred Des Moines. One of the original owners made a bet that if they started in Waterloo and made 6,000 dollars after the first show, they had to leave it there, and if not, move it to Des Moines. Committee members were shocked when he made it happen.

In 1913, owners decided to expand the Cattle Congress and turn it into something entertaining, to get more Iowans interested in agriculture.

After the Great Depression, all the Cattle Congress buildings around the nation had died down.  In the 80s, they decided to add greyhound racing to their list of entertainment, but that quickly backfired and caused NCC to file bankruptcy, only leaving Waterloo’s building, and it’s been a tradition for Iowan families ever since.