Policies & Guidelines

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 and rents for $600.
Friday evening receptions in the Grand Ballroom rent for $300.
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 will ensure quality food service for your guests. By booking through the Dubuque County Fairgrounds, you will save time as we will handle all of the arrangements for you.

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. The renter will be charged for the guaranteed or actual number, whichever is higher. All catering must be done by those on the selected list and be arranged through the Dubuque County Fairgrounds. We have full menus from each caterer available upon request.

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 , no free standing candles are allowed .
All décor items that you bring in must be removed at the end of your event.

Prices are subject to change without notification.