by Rick Mooney
Hay marketing took center stage in Rock Valley, IA, on March 29, with the city’s annual Hay Day celebration. It's a joint effort of the local chamber of commerce and Rock Valley Hay (RVH), one of the country’s largest hay auctions. Hay Day combines the regularly scheduled RVH hay sale with special promotions at local businesses and some good-natured competition in events like bale rolling and strap throwing. The event has been ongoing since the 1960s.
Rock Valley Hay holds auctions on Mondays and Thursdays from November through April. For the rest of the year, auctions are held on Thursdays only.
