Policies & Guidelines | Dinner Buffets | Beverage Service | Decor & Equipment rental
Policies & Guidelines
Our Mission
The Dubuque County Fair Association, a non-profit organization, is a community resource that exists to educate and promote the culture and heritage of Dubuque County, while uniting the community in celebration.
Rental Fees
The Dubuque County Fairgrounds has several facilities to accommodate your reception. Our rental rates include five (5) hours of reception time, tables and chairs, set-up and clean-up, and our bar staff. The following rates apply:
- The Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 1,000 people and rents for $600.
- Friday evening receptions in the Grand Ballroom will be discounted $100.
- The 4-H Community Center can accommodate up to 500 people and rents for $425.
The Creative Arts Center can be added to any 4-H rental for an additional $150 fee. It can accommodate up to 150 additional people.
- The Outdoor Festival Garden can accommodate groups of any size and rents for $225.
Additional hours can be arranged in advance through our office for an extra $100 per hour.
Deposits & Payments
When you book a date at our facilities, a contract is issued to you with a non-refundable deposit of 50% of your rental fees. The contract is due back to the fairgrounds with the deposit within two weeks of the booking date. If your contract and deposit are received by the due date, your reservation will become confirmed. Your final rental balance and any and all additional charges are due at the conclusion of your event. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Cash or Checks. A $20 service fee, in addition to the original check amount, will be charged on any returned checks.
Food & Beverage Service
The Dubuque County Fairgrounds offers several options to accommodate your food and beverage requests. To ensure the highest quality of food service, we suggest that you book your catering through the Dubuque County Fairgrounds. Kalmes’ Catering is currently our preferred Caterer; however the DCFA reserves the right to utilize any approved catering service based on availability. We will ensure quality food service for your guests. By booking through the Dubuque County Fairgrounds, you will save time because we will handle all of your arrangements for you and as a bonus, we will discount your rental fees by $100. If you choose to hire a caterer on your own, please be aware that the caterer must be licensed and insured in the State of Iowa.
CATERING GUARANTEES—All Food & Beverage arrangements should be made no later than 30 days prior to the event date. In regards to catered functions, counts must be Guaranteed no later than 72 hours prior to the function. Attendees in excess of the guaranteed number will be served subject to availability.
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION—No one under the legal age of 21 will be permitted to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages at any time. If appropriate ID cannot be produced, we will not serve guests of any age. Guests may be required to wear a wristband identifying them as of legal age. All minors found consuming alcohol will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. The Dubuque County Fair Association has the legal right to refuse service to anyone who appears to be intoxicated, as well as reserving the right to ask the person to leave the premises if he/she refuses to cooperate. The Dubuque County Fair Association retains the right to call premature end to an event if the participants show a blatant disregard for our rules, policies, property and staff.
A 15% gratuity is automatically charged on all food and beverage orders that are charged to the master bill.
Cancellation
In the event of a cancellation, the deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel your event within sixty (60) days of the scheduled event date, you will be billed for the remaining balance of your rental fee.
Damage Waiver
The Dubuque County Fairgrounds holds renters fully responsible for damage, vandalism or theft of property that may occur during your event. The Fairgrounds office will notify you in writing if we encounter problems during your event.
Insurance
The Dubuque County Fair Association holds $1,000,000 worth of General Liability coverage for any incident that is due to negligence of the Dubuque County Fair Association. In addition, our insurance company requires all renters to submit a Certificate of Insurance listing the Dubuque County Fairgrounds Association as additionally insured in the amount of $1,000,000. You should contact your agent and have them call the Dubuque County Fair Association for additional information. The certificate must be received in the Fairgrounds office no later than 2 months prior to your event date or your event may be cancelled or postponed at the discretion of the Fair Association.
Facility Restrictions
When planning your set-up, you must coordinate the time and items to be used with the Fairgrounds Office. The Dubuque County Fair Association will not guarantee set-up times prior to 72 hours before your event.
Decoration Restrictions
We do not allow tape or staples on our floors, furniture or walls.
Confetti , sand, etc. of any type is prohibited.
Candles must be in candle holders . No free standing candles are allowed.
All decor items that you bring in must be removed at the end of your event.
Prices are subject to change without notification
Food and Beverage charges subject to 15% gratuity
Prices are subject to change without notification
Dinner Buffets
Country Classic Buffet
Choice of Tossed Salad with Dressing or Coleslaw
Choice of Two
Roasted Pork Loin, Chicken, Ham or Roast Beef
Green Been Almandine
Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Dinner Roll Served with Butter
Coffee & Milk
$8.00 per person
Grill Buffet
Choice of Tossed Salad with Dressing, Potato Salad or Cole Slaw
Grilled Chicken Breast or Grilled Pork Chop
Cheesy Hash Browns
Vegetable Medley
Dinner Roll Served with Butter
Coffee & Milk
$8.00 per person
Prime Rib Buffet
Choice of Tossed Salad with Dressing or Coleslaw
12-ounce Prime Rib with Au Jus
Baked Potato with Butter and Sour Cream
Fresh Corn
Dinner Roll Served with Butter
Coffee & Milk
$15.00 per person
Other menu options available upon request.
Food and Beverage charges subject to 15% gratuity
Prices are subject to change without notification
Beverage Service
Keg Beer
Budweiser, Bud Light, Busch Light,
Miller Genuine Draft, Miller Light, Coors Light
$165.00 each
Bottle Beer
Budweiser, Bud Light, Busch Light,
Miller Light, Coors Light, Busch N/A Cans
$40.00 per case
House Wine
White Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Merlot
$11 per bottle
(1.5 Liter)
$48 per case
(Individual bottle servings)
Champagne
Andre White, Pink or Asti Spumante
$10 per bottle
Sparkling Grape Juice
$5 per bottle
Wine Coolers & Carbonated Beverages
Exotic Berry Wine Cooler, Bacardi Razz
$40 per case
Soda
Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Diet Sprite, Mountain Dew, Diet Mountain Dew,
Diet Mountain Dew, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Caffeine Diet Pepsi, Fresca, Mr. Pibb
$15 per case
Well Liquor
Amaretto, Apple Pucker, Apricot Schnapps, Black Velvet,
Blackberry Brandy, Blue Maui, Butterscotch Schnapps, Fleischmann’s Gin,
Kessler’s, Lauders Scotch, Peach Schnapps, Peppermint Schnapps,
Raspberry Schnapps, Red Maui, Root Beer Schnapps, Sloe Gin, Popov Vodka
$55 per bottle
Price includes mixers, cups, straws and garnish
Premium Liquor
Absolute Vodka, Bacardi Rum, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Canadian Club,
Captain Morgan, Christian Brothers Brandy, Crown Royal, Cutty Sark,
Dr. McGillicuddy’s, Jack Daniels, Jagermeister, Jim Beam, Jose Cuervo Especial, Kahlua,
Malibu Rum, Rumple Mints, Seagram’s 7, Southern Comfort, Tanquaray Gin, UV Blue, Vanilla McGillicuddy’s
$65.00 per bottle
Price includes mixers, cups, straws and garnish
Beverage Tickets
Well or Premium Drinks
$2.75 each
Cash Bar
No additional charge.
Food and Beverage charges subject to 15% gratuity
Prices are subject to change without notification
Décor & Equipment Rental
Decorations
Lattice Back Drop…$45 each
Lattice Archway…$35
Metal Arch…$50
Lighted Entrance Curtain…$45
Ficus Trees…$10 each
Centerpiece Mirrors…$1 each
Rose Bowls…$1 each
Linen
Banquet Table Linen…$6 each
Round Table Linen…$6 each
13’ Skirting…$20 each
16’ Linen Skirting…$24 each
21’ Linen Skirting…$28 each
Linen Napkins…$1 each (Variety of colors to choose from)
Additional Items
China Table Settings w/ real Silverware…$2 each
Plastic Table Covering…$40 for all guest tables
Cake Cutting…$30
Family Table Service...$1.00 per person
Big Screen TV & DVD Player…$50
Prices are subject to change without notification.