National Cattle Congress Explained

The National Cattle Congress is an annual agricultural event held in Waterloo, Iowa. It was first held in 1910.^[1]

The Hippodrome and the Electric Park Ballroom are located on the National Cattle Congress grounds.

History

Unlike other events such as the Iowa State Fair, Cattle Congress was held every year, even during World War II.

In the 1980s, the NCC organization started a greyhound racing business to attempt to generate additional revenue. This was a commercial failure, and the organization declared bankruptcy in 1993. The event was cancelled in 1994 as a result. The racetrack shut down in 1996 after a failed referendum to allow slot machines,^[2] and the facility was destroyed in 2018.^[3]

In 2008, the fairgrounds were used as a temporary holding facility for 260 illegal immigrants arrested in a raid in Postville, Iowa.^[4]

There was no convention in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, nor was there one in 1917–18 due to World War I.

Notes and References

1. News: Williams . Luke . Overview: History of National Cattle Congress . Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier . 9 September 2010 . en.
2. News: Jamison . Tim . Deal done: Waterloo Greyhound Park coming down; National Cattle Congress saved . 3 September 2018 . Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier . 6 May 2018 . en.
3. News: Jamison . Tim . Cheers go up as Waterloo Greyhound Park goes down (PHOTOS) . Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier . 25 July 2018 . en.
4. News: Preston . Julia . 270 Illegal Immigrants Sent to Prison in Federal Push . 3 September 2018 . The New York Times . 24 May 2008 . en.