From country singers to racing pigs, it's at DuPage Fair
There's something 'bout a hot summer day at the DuPage County Fair.
A big ol' sign that says "come on in."
The smell of festival food, farm animals and the sounds of fun.
Something 'bout a hot summer day at the DuPage County Fair.
At least that's how main stage headliner and "Something 'Bout a Truck" country music artist Kip Moore might sing a song about the fair, which runs 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, July 25 to 29, at the fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road in Wheaton.
The 58th annual DuPage County Fair includes lively main stage entertainment, agricultural fun, a carnival, contests and community projects.
Storms earlier this month threatened to dampen the fun by downing trees and power poles throughout the fairgrounds and damaging the exhibition building, leaving the grounds without power for a week and a half.
But fair employees and volunteers rallied to repair broken windows and doors and to restore power, all the while preparing for the big event.
"A big thank you to everybody who did pitch in - the electrical firms, and there were a lot of companies who came out and responded quickly so we were able to get ourselves to the point where we're at today, so we're ready," said Jim McGuire, president of the DuPage County Fair Association. "We invite everybody to come out and enjoy it."
New activities this year include a kiddie carnival separate from the main carnival. Also, visitors can experience harvesting a field of corn in a combine simulator, walk through a 15-by-20-foot tent filled with butterflies, or tour a three-room house made within one large redwood log.
Old favorites include horse shows, duck races, a demolition derby. Visit Ag-Ventureland, where you just may see a baby chick hatch or learn about the process of milking a cow.
<h3 class="briefHead">Main stage</h3>
On the main stage, country music artist Kip Moore kicks off the fair's evening festivities at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Moore's recently released debut album includes the hit "Something 'Bout a Truck" and the single "Beer Money." Tickets are $20, which includes admission.
On Thursday, two Mexican-style bands from California and Mexico take the stage at the Festival de Musica, which begins at 7 p.m. with la Chacaloza de Jerez Zac. At 8:30 p.m., Conjunto Atardecer performs. Ticket prices are $10, including admission.
The Spirits of DuPage beer and wine tasting takes place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday. Taste food and drink from more than 20 breweries and wineries and more than 20 restaurants. Ticket prices are $40, including admission to the fair. Back Country Roads performs. Spirits of DuPage benefits the Friends of DuPage, a not-for-profit organization that manages and maintains the fairgrounds.
"People can learn something about the different craft beers and wineries," McGuire said. "Many of those will be local."
This year, motocross dominates Saturday's main entertainment with shows at 2 and 7 p.m. Admission is $7 per person, not including admission to the fair.
In past years, the motorcycle show accompanied monster trucks, but people loved it so much, organizers decided to give it the main billing this year.
"The motorcycle portion was so well-received. We've heard nothing but praise from the guests for how good the show is," McGuire said. "We think that's going to be a real fun and exciting day with the motorcycle shows."
And, as always, Sunday is demolition derby day with shows at 2 and 7 p.m. Admission is also $7, not including entrance fees to the fair.
<h3 class="briefHead">Carnival</h3>
New this year is a separate carnival for the youngest ride-lovers, located between Ag-Ventureland and the upper food court.
"It gives them an area that's a not so loud, not so noisy, but a lot of fun for the kids," McGuire said. "It's worked for other fairs, so this year we'd like to give it a try to see if it works for us as well."
The carnival opens at noon Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. Thursday and Friday. A variety of pay-one-price packages exists for Thursday through Sunday. On Wednesday, carnival rides are $1 each with the purchase of $10 tickets.
<h3 class="briefHead">Ag-Ventureland</h3>
New this year in Ag-Ventureland - an area dedicated to agricultural-related activities - are bee, butterfly and pollination exhibits, as well as a combine simulator.
"You get up in there and you'll be in a cabin combining corn. You'll be picking the corn and getting the field clean," McGuire said. "In the same trailer, you can learn about GPS systems and how they're being used in the farm fields."
Take a camel or pony ride for $5 each. Watch chicks hatch or reach out and touch some animals at the petting zoo.
Other daily activities include magic shows, blacksmithing, a corn box play area, pig racing, duck racing, a reptile exhibit, spinning and weaving, wood carvers, corn grinding, milking demonstrations and rope making.
New this year is Allen's Original Redwood Log House - a three-room house inside one large redwood log. Also new is The Bubble Experience - a show all about fun with bubbles that takes place three times a day. Additionally, the Double Vision twin magic act will rove the fairgrounds.
Also new this year is a photo booth located across from the poultry and rabbit barn, where visitors can take pictures and have them printed for $5.
<h3 class="briefHead">Contests</h3>
A variety of contests take place throughout the fair - from animal showings to cooking and photography contests.
On Wednesday, a photography shootout takes place at 5 p.m. Participants will use their own digital cameras to take pictures relating to a specific theme. A Daily Herald photographer will judge each participant's best shot to determine a winner.
Catch the talent show finals at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Ag-Ventureland tent.
<h3 class="briefHead">Community projects</h3>
During its run, the DuPage County Fair will support several community projects.
The second annual dog adoption event takes place near the entry gate each day with more than 10 organizations visiting throughout the fair with dogs and puppies in need of a good home.
A St. Baldrick's event to benefit research into childhood cancer treatments and cures takes place at noon Saturday. See people shave their heads to raise money for the organization.
A coin collection to purchase goats to feed Haitian families runs the duration of the fair. Coin jars will be placed in barns and tents. One goat for every $150 will be purchased and donated.
On Wednesday night, $1 of each beer sold in the beer tent will be donated to the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance. Billy Croft and the 5 Alarm Band - a band of local firefighters - performs at 9:30 p.m. in the beer tent.
On Sunday, canned goods will be collected to benefit a local food pantry. Admission before 9 a.m. Sunday is free with a donation of canned goods.
<h3 class="briefHead">General info</h3>
The fair runs 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, through Sunday, July 29.
General admission is $8 for adults, $3 for ages 3 to 12, and free for ages 2 and younger. Seniors are admitted free before 3 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday, admission is $1 for ages 3 to 12. A season pass for all five days of the fair is $25.
For information or a full schedule of activities, visit dupagecountyfair.org or call (630) 668-6636.
DuPage County Fair
When: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, July 25 to 29
Where: DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton
Admission: $8 for adults, $3 for ages 3 to 12, free for ages 2 and younger; free for seniors before 3 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Info: dupagecountyfair.org or (630) 668-6636