Step right up to upcoming Illinois county fairs
It’s easy to dismiss the county fair as antiquated or uncool, but don’t sleep on the county fair. It’s quintessentially American and there’s a lot of fun that can be had for the price of admission.
According to the International Association of Fairs and Expos, the first county fair in America was held in 1811 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as basically an animal contest. Prize money was given for the best livestock.
The Knox County Fair in downstate Knoxville touts itself as the longest-running fair in Illinois at 172 years.
Modern fairs still have those agricultural roots, pardon the pun. Competitions have been added in everything from vegetable growing to rabbits to pies. County fairs are now several days long and feature bands, monster trucks, lemon shake-ups, elephant ears, carnival rides, petting zoos, pony rides, pig races and so much random midway entertainment.
Looking past all of the trappings is usually an educational component that seeks to help consumers understand the importance of farming and how their food gets to their tables.
Here’s a look at when and where you can find your county’s fair.
Kane County Fair July 12-16
The Kane County Fair celebrates 154 years of family fun and 4-H through July 16 at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles.
The Kane County Fair continues through July 16 at the county fairgrounds in St. Charles. Tickets are $5-$10; grandstand entertainment is $10-$20. At 525 S. Randall Road. 630-584-6926; kanecountyfair.com.
Hours are noon to midnight July 14-15; 12-10 p.m. July 16. Grandstand entertainment includes PCB Bull Riders and Cowgirls at 7:30 p.m. July 14-15 and a demolition derby at 2 and 5 p.m. July 16.
Bands on the Miller Lite Sound Stage include The Two Beer Tommy Band and The Breakfast Club July 14, Hillbilly Rockstarz July 15 and Dry County Line and Hi Infidelity July 16.
Midway entertainment includes a carnival, Balsters Sheer Magic Show, a petting zoo, Swifty Swine Racing Pigs and chain saw carver Chad Kilpatrick. New this year is the Rhinestone Roper.
There’s also a classic car show July 15-16 with cars, trucks and motorcycles. A livestock auction is at 1 p.m. July 16.
DuPage County Fair July 28-30
The DuPage County Fair has been entertaining DuPage County residents for 68 years at its current home.
This year’s fair is July 28-30 at the DuPage Event Center and Fairgrounds in Wheaton. Tickets are $10; $5 for seniors and children ages 3-10; free for children 2 and under and active military with ID. At 2015 Manchester Road. 630-668-6636; dupagecountyfair.org/ dupage-county-fair.
Hours for the fair are 10 a.m.-11 p.m. July 28, 12-11 p.m. July 29 and 12-8 p.m. July 30. The DuPage County Fair Talent Contest is July 30 with cash prizes for the top four.
New this year is an inaugural Pickleball Tournament starting at 1:30 p.m. daily.
A staple of the fair is 4-H and open class exhibits. Contests include everything from cookies and quick breads to photography and painting to floral design and needlecraft.
Lake County Fair July 26-30
The Lake County Fair is celebrating its 94th year with Ferris wheels, funnel cakes, monster trucks, livestock competitions and more.
The fair runs July 26-30 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. Tickets are $15; $5 for children ages 6-12, seniors
65 and older, active military, veterans and dependents with valid military ID (not available online). Free for children 5 and under and active military in uniform and for veterans and dependents with valid military ID on July 27. At 1060 E. Peterson Road. 847-680-7200; lcfair.com/2023.
The fair’s hours are 10 a.m.-10 p.m. July 26-27, 10 a.m.-midnight July 28-29 and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. July 30. Parking in the grass lot is free; preferred parking on a paved lot near the East Main Gate is $20.
Daily activities include 4-H exhibits, carnival, Kidbucks Game Show, pig races, petting zoo, camel and pony rides, Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show, lumber jack show, beer tent and live music on the Festival Square Stage and bingo and live music at the Grandstand Beer Garden. Paid admission includes entry to the arena, where you’ll find the demolition derbies, monster trucks and motocross.
Kendall County Fair Aug. 3-6
The theme of this year’s Kendall County Fair is “For the Community, By the Community.” The fair returns Aug. 3-6 at the Kendall County Fairgrounds in Yorkville. Tickets are free until 3 p.m.; after 3 p.m., they are $10. At 10826 Illinois Route 71. 630-553-2860; kendallcountyfair.org.
The Kendall County Fair will have 4-H exhibits, a 4-H livestock auction, food vendors, a beer garden and a carnival.
Entertainment includes a Western speed show at noon Aug. 3 and truck and tractor pulls at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 4-5. Country band Diamondback performs at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 4 and country singer Ashley Victoria performs at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 5. The Wheels at the Fair — Auto Show and Craft Market is from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 6.
Will County Fair Aug. 23-27
The Will County Fair celebrates its 120th anniversary this year with its traditional week of family entertainment, live music, contests and food vendors.
The fair is from Aug. 23-27 at the Will County Fairgrounds in Peotone. Tickets are $5; children 9 and under free. $1 on Aug. 23. Seniors and veterans, $2 on Aug. 24. Grandstand tickets are $10-$25. At 710 West St. 708-258-9359; willcountyfair.org.
Hours are 8 a.m.-midnight daily. The vendors and carnival shut down between 10 and 11 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Sunday take-down starts at 8 p.m. The beer pavilion is open until midnight daily.
The Will County Fair will have exhibits in livestock, agriculture, horticulture, textiles, vegetables, floriculture, cakes and pasties, candies and cookies, breads, art and photography and more.
Free daily entertainment includes a magician, a juggler, a circus-themed entertainer and live music in the family entertainment tent and the beer garden.
The pingpong ball drop for kids ages 3-11 is at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 23 at the track.
The annual chili cook-off competition is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 27 in the beer garden. Entry fee is $10 and is open to the first 20 contestants. Judging is at 1 p.m. and tasting bowls will be sold beginning at 1:15 p.m.; $2 per bowl.
The Baby Show for babies ages 6 to 36 months will be at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 27 in the south side of the commercial exhibit hall, inside the restaurant. Mail-in entries are due by Aug. 23; in-person entries due by Aug. 26. Entry is $1 with a certified birth certificate (or copy).
Grandstand entertainment consists of the Illinois Tractor Pulling Association’s truck and tractor pull at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 24, monster truck show at 7 p.m. Aug. 25, Will County Fair Scramble and Scramble Derby at noon and a demolition derby at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 26 and a rodeo at 2 p.m. Aug. 27.