I have not been to the cattle congress in years! Probably 13-14 years. We took our 6 year old son because he wanted to go to the fair. I'm really glad we did. The annual fair boasts lots of fair food. Fair favorites like cheese curds, mini donuts, corn dogs and fresh squeezed lemonade. And local offerings from local restaurants like Starbecks Smokehouse. There was a midway that had more rides than I thought they would. Rides for kids and adults. There was shows like dirt bike racing, rodeos and some girl escaping from a straight jacket while hanging upside down. They gave the cattle and animals and a building full of shopping vendors. You can also visit the petting zoo (which is available when the fair isn't going too). Admission is $11 per adult and $7 for kids, 6 and under free. It was a fun way to spend an evening. I would go again. read more

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My husband and I have been attending the National Dairy Cattle Congress since we were about 10 years old, so we have many wonderful memories of Kids Day, the rides, vendors, entertainment, and all the things that once made it such a special event. This year we took our grandson and were disappointed by how much it has changed. Estel Hall had far fewer unique vendors and homemade items, there seemed to be much less for children to do, and overall the event just did not have the same excitement or variety it once had. The Cattle Congress has been a Waterloo tradition for 116 years, and I truly hope it continues. I would just love to see more effort put into advertising, entertainment, vendors, and activities so future generations can enjoy it the way we did. read more

Very dirty & disorganized. Bathrooms need to be shut down, fixed and cleaned or shut down and bring in porta potties. Since maintenance is an issue, and there's not enough vendors to fill multiple buildings, consolidate into one. All the grounds need to be cleaned and fixed to eliminate trip hazards. Very disappointing. read more

I like how they don't have the stuff to crowded so I hope in 2024 they add some bouncy houses house of mirrors and much more

This place is fun and all but it cost $11.00 just to get into the main gate. And to ride the rides it is $20 for 15 tickets and that's not a deal because most of the rides are 6 tickets just to ride. And most of the vendors are selling over priced food like tonight I went and a pop was $7 for a large and $4 for a small like who would pay them prices. The only thing that is free is the rodeo. And most of the people that go are rude and snobby and most of all ridiculously mean. But the pros are that you can watch people walk around and there's a band and there's a motorcycle now where are the motorcycle show up. And if you think you're going to find parking free parking the rent get paid five dollars for parking there and I will not tolerate that I showed up and I parked 2 miles away and walked with my son because I was not gonna pay that price for parking when I can park for free. So if you have a lot of money this place will be great for you but it's only certain September but other than that I will not go again that was the very last time I was going because there's barely any rides there's barely any games unless you wanna pay like $15 for four balls if you want to pay the prices I will not read more