DuPage Fair-minded events

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The unofficial theme for this year's DuPage County Fair could be "change and tradition."

The much-loved annual festival opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday and runs until July 29 at the fairgrounds in Wheaton.

Among the shake-ups this year is the elimination of the rodeo in favor of more programming for kids and teenagers.

"There's some new twists," fair president Wilbert Hageman said. "You don't want to get in a rut. This year we've done a few changes and we hope they're positive."

But other popular favorites including the racing pigs, demolition derby, talent show, pie contests, livestock exhibits and, of course, the midway will return.

Adding to the mix will be new music acts, such as country and western singer Joe Nichols, pop star JoJo and homegrown chart-toppers Plain White T's.

"We really try to be as versatile as possible. I think people look forward to change," DuPage County Fair Association board member Mike Formento said.

Old favorites

Before the public enters the fairgrounds Wednesday, 15-year-old Alissa Frederick of West Chicago will have risen at the crack of dawn to ready her three horses.

The 4-H member is among dozens of people showing livestock ranging in size from rabbits to bulls.

"I like to have my horses prepared," said Alissa, who won $400 in awards at the 2006 fair.

This year, she will be exhibiting Dauber, a 4-year-old chestnut male, Dolly, a 7-year-old gray mare and Hootie, a 10-year-old black gelding.

After competing in the fair for several years running, Alissa doesn't get nervous anymore, but she acknowledges a prize-winning performance is "not as easy as it looks."

Another attraction that complements the fair's agricultural roots are the home economics and science division competitions.

For 16 years, Holly Yeates has presided over the program -- and she's never had a dull moment.

"My favorite class is the vegetable art. We've had sheep made out of cauliflower and mice out of potatoes," Yeates said.

The old-fashioned appeal of farm animals and exhibition halls filled with pies and flower arrangements is what makes the fair special, says Hageman, who farmed in Naperville for years.

"That's what county fairs are," he said.

To emphasize the county's rural past, an AG-Ventureland for kids with sheep shearing, a blacksmith shop, petting zoo and "Ask a Farmer" booth will be offered.

Another feature is AG-Tivity programming for children involving coloring contests, an agricultural scavenger hunt, a butterfly workshop and embroidery class, Yeates said.

Newbies

Fair organizers said the rodeo didn't attract the number of spectators they'd hoped for previously, but it's likely the event will return in the future.

"We've done something different by eliminating the rodeo," Hageman said. "We went for something different for younger people."

That means constant entertainment Saturday starting with Ralph's World, a children's music show, Beatles tribute band American English and The Happiness Club.

The Happiness Club's "purpose is to say 'no' to drugs and alcohol and 'yes' to self-esteem. It's quite an exciting show," Formento said.

While smashing cars is getting to be a fair tradition, 2007 marks the first time the International Demolition Derby will coordinate the July 29 event.

Co-owner Dennis Nelson promised "lots of smash-'em-up stuff" with vehicles stretching from tiny Datsuns to big Cadillacs.

"It goes down to the last car running. It can get ugly and hard-hitting," he predicted.

This year, organizers are promoting local stars with rockers The Hush Sound with ties to Lombard and the Plain White T's out of Villa Park Thursday.

"The Plain White T's have zoomed to the top of the hit parade," Formento said, "ticket sales are skyrocketing."

Meanwhile, organizers of the fair's annual Talent Competition promise the amateurs will give the professional musicians a run for their money Saturday.

Contestants range in age from 9 to 17 and include a full slate of singers and some garage bands, coordinator Sandy Jozef said.

Jozef calls the show the DuPage version of television's "America's Got Talent."

"There's a couple of little girls that will knock your socks off," she predicted.

And while last year's fair was hit with scorching temperatures, it won't be a problem this year, Formento said, explaining, "Mother Nature is going to cooperate."

Fair facts

What: DuPage County Fair

When: Wednesday to July 29

Where: 2015 W. Manchester Road, east of County Farm Road, Wheaton

Cost: Adults $7, seniors $4, children age 3 to 8 years $1, children age 2 and under free. Unlimited ride passes are available but must be purchased by July 24.

Details: (630) 668-6636 or www.dupagecountyfair.org