Kane County Fair celebrates 143rd year

A bull rider enters the ring with fear, adrenaline and excitement running through his body.

He is about to take on a 2,000 pound bucking bull trained to throw off the passenger on its back.

It’s nothing but true athleticism and not just for the rider, but for the bull as well.

Ted Harbin, media director for the Professional Championship Bullriders, said it is “fantastic” to watch the finesse it takes to ride a bull and the movement and jumping the bull does to remove the rider.

The Professional Championship Bullriders from St. Charles will perform at the 143rd annual Kane County Fair at the fairgrounds, at Route 64 and Randall Road in St. Charles. The festival is open Wednesday, July 20 through Sunday, July 24 and the bull riding will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, July 22.

“Some people really enjoy the athleticism of the athletes but it also has a sense of danger,” Harbin said. “It’s entertaining to watch them compete. The reality is, though, there will be some wrecks; that’s the nature of the sport.”

This is the sixth year in a row Professional Championship Bullriders are at the fair and President Robert Sauber said people can expect a lot of excitement in the ring.

“It’s going to be a fun-filled night with entertainment nonstop,” Sauber, of St. Charles, said. The first 300 children who attend get a free cowboy hat and there are free pony rides available after the event.

The bull riding is just one of the events that highlights the list of entertainment and activities for residents to participate in throughout the fair.

The Swiftly Swine Racing Pigs, Miller Petting Zoo, 4-H events, and the Sheer Magic Show are all free entertainment throughout the five days of the fair.

“One thing that I think we’ve tried to do in the last few years is make the fair economical for the whole family,” said Larry Breon, county fair board president. “We’ve got ride packages and other free entertainment for the whole family. So it is a bargain.”

There is a special admission fee of $5 for the general public (and free for anyone age 62 and older) on Wednesday, July 20, while daily admission is $8 and children younger than 5 are admitted free. There is a season pass available for $20.

Hours are from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 20; from noon to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 21; noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, July 22-23 and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 24.

Breon of St. Charles, who has been involved in the fair since he was a child, said the most popular events are ones with livestock because agriculture is not as common as it used to be.

“People in the (Kane County) area are getting away from agriculture,” Breon said “So people like to come and watch our animals. It’s definitely a focal point in the fair.”

There are also several new events at this year’s fair such as the Chicago Toy Show which will be from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 23-24. The show will have around 80-100 people with a wide arrangement of collectible toys and dolls available to showcase and purchase.

For something a little silly and different, the Odor-Eaters sponsored event of a Rotten Sneaker contest will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 21. Kids ages 5-15 should bring the smelliest sneakers they own to try and win a cash prize. Sneakers will be judged on conditions of the sole, tongue, heel, toe, laces and overall condition and smell of the shoe.

“We’re pretty excited about the new events,” Breon said. “It’ll be interesting to see how the people react to them and if they’ll be back for next year.”

For details and a complete schedule of events, visit kanecountyfair.com.