Bull riders and demolition derby add excitement to Kane County Fair
A fierce, rough sport that is uniquely American returns this weekend to the Kane County Fair. Professional Championship Bullriding will headline the grandstand on Friday and Saturday, July 17-18.
"We've got 35 of the best cowboys here in the nation coming in," said Bob Sauber, a bull rider from St. Charles who founded the competition 10 years ago.
Each rider will be given an short timetable to master their bull during what many call "the most dangerous eight seconds in sports." And this year, a mysterious contender awaits his first challenge.
"We've got a bounty bull coming. He's coming into 4 years old and he's one of the top bulls in nation," Sauber said. "He's unridden and that's some big money to one lucky cowboy that draws him."
That big money will amount to about $3,000 for whoever can handle the young bull named Drop Zone. The bull will be participating both days, during Friday's show at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays 2 and 7 p.m. showcases.
And along with the high-risk, high-reward bounty challenge, there will be a series of cowgirl barrel races. The cowgirls will compete in a number of horseback challenges and relays around barrels during the shows.
"We've got some really athletic, fast horses and beautiful cowgirls competing each night for the fastest relay time," Sauber said.
But the bull riding is not the only dangerous game to headline the fair's grandstand. The Smash 'Em and Bash 'Em Demolition Derby will take place on Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m.
The event's organizer, Mark Harvel of St. Charles, has had his fair share of close calls during his former derby days. But he never stopped loving the fair's demolition derby.
"Oh yeah, it's really good. It used to be my favorite fair to drive in until 2004 when I broke my neck, out at Sycamore speedway when I rolled my car," Harvel said. "I'm done racing and demo-ing ever since then."
But Harvel and his wife, Pamela, will be working as flaggers to stop the derby in case of emergencies.
"Safety is our main thing," Harvel said. "We want to make sure everyone goes home in one piece. People need to keep their helmets on and stay in their cars."
The first round of derbies will consist of bonestock, compact car, and lawn mower bouts. These events will be a bit more tame than the evening's final act.
A full weld, and minivan show will make up the evening's attraction. There will also be kids' powerwheels demos at both shows.
His daughter Kim Gardener of St. Charles, 27, will be participating in the bonestock event and his grandson Dayden Charette, 12, will be in the lawn mower event.
Other weekend events include music headliners 80s cover band, Hi Fidelity; country cover band, Hillbilly Rockstarz; and Beatles cover band, American English. They will play Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, respectively; all on the Miller Lite Soundstage.
For details, visit www.kanecountyfair.com