Banana Derby attracts cheers, no controversy at Lake County Fair

If there were any concerns among the Lake County Fair's opening-day crowd about whether the Banana Derby mistreats its animal participants, they evaporated in Wednesday's hot sun.

A crowd of a few hundred people, including many children, cheered and laughed as they watched the first heats of capuchin monkeys dressed in colorful costumes riding dogs and racing around a track. Seven-year-old animal-lover Devin Andrzejewski of Beach Park was among those watching the event at the fairgrounds in Grayslake.

"He loves it," Renee Andrzejewski, Devin's aunt, said. "It was funny - not long enough."

In 15 minutes, the frenzy of monkeys and dogs racing around the track was over. Afterward, viewers had the opportunity to see the monkeys up-close and take pictures with them.

The Banana Derby took place for the sixth year at the Lake County Fair, over objections in recent months from several Lake County Board members, and executives from Lincoln Park Zoo and the Chicago Zoological Society. The protesters argued the fair should not promote activities that exploit animals for amusement and profit. The Humane Society also objected, asking that the monkeys not be subject to stressful conditions for entertainment.

Fair officials disagreed and said Gilligan T. Monkey LLC is licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and complies with standards for the care and treatment of animals.

Philip Dolci, the animals' caretaker, said he ensures the animals are treated like family pets and that the Derby is a source of lighthearted entertainment.

"The Banana Derby will make people smile and laugh," Dolci said Wednesday. "They relate to it because it can remind them of their own pets at home."

The Derby is staged various times every day of the fair, which runs through Sunday, Aug. 2.

It's one of several events at this year's fair that carries the theme "Summer's Best Fest."

The fair is a mix of historical traditions and new events, including a motocross show and an improved demolition derby, which will present a "Night of Destruction" on Friday.

"Last year, they skipped the motocross show, much to people's dismay," said Matthew Robertson, the fair association's general manager. "But this year we brought it back bigger and better."

Robertson said everything you love about summer can be found on the fairgrounds.

"It's an opportunity to take a glimpse back in time, especially with the pavilions," he said. "The show barns with pigs, goats and rabbits - now that's something you'll never see at the church carnival."