National Cattle Congress

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

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Unlike other events such as the Iowa State Fair, Cattle Congress was held every year, even during World War II.[1]

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.[1] 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.

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References

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