Thrilling acts, animal shows on tap at Kane County Fair
The Kane County Fair has undergone a change in its mission this year.
The goal remains to entertain.
But the method to achieve that has been slightly altered.
Organizers decided this year to try to thrill crowds, rather than bring in large musical acts.
The fair's board of directors made the change to appeal to a more wide variety of attendees but also because past musical crowds haven't been as strong as they would have liked.
"The big-time musical acts weren't working," said Larry Breon, the board's president. "We wanted to make it a more friendly atmosphere for families."
The Kane County Fair begins at noon Wednesday and runs through Sunday night's demolition derby.
Instead of musical headliners, the grandstand area will feature bull riders, a rodeo and the demolition derby, as well as the fair's traditional tractor pull.
More regional musicians and comedians will perform throughout the day on a soundstage in the middle of the fairgrounds.
"It'll be something for everybody," Breon said. "If you don't like what's on stage, wander around 20 minutes and there might be one you might like."
Last year, more than 140,000 people attended the fair and fair spokesman Floyd Brown said that is just one measure of a good festival.
"It's successful to us when people come and enjoy the fair," he said.
With the line between agricultural and urban areas blurring, Brown said fairs like this one give people from any background a chance to see things they might not see on a daily basis.
"The urban population has met with the agrarian population in our area," he said. "Half of these city people have never seen a cow. It's a great opportunity to witness what's going on in the farm."
A 4-H judging show makes this fair different from others, Breon said, in an area that has seen a large growth in festivals throughout the years.
The fair began at its current location in 1952 when there weren't many festivals.
But in recent years, heavy competition from surrounding area fairs has made the board look continuously for ways to change and to distinguish itself from others.
"The dinosaur never adjusted so it didn't last," Breon said. "We've done the same thing."
However, one thing that has not changed is the 4-H show, which has judges inspecting animal projects entrants have worked on throughout the year. That serves as the basis for the fair.
Despite keeping tradition and change locked hand-in-hand at the fair, Breon has worked at the fair long enough -- around 35 years, he said -- to know it all comes down to one thing.
"It's a weather-driven vehicle," he said. "If you have bad weather, I don't care what you do. It won't work."
Kane County Fair
The Kane County Fair runs July 16-20 at the Kane County Fairgrounds at Route 38 and Randall Road in St. Charles. Admission is $1-$5 daily or $20 for a season pass. For details, visit www.kanecountyfair.com.
Midway: Bengal tigers, elephant shows, pig races, comedy show, petting zoo, tractor pulls, go cart monster trucks, magic show.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16
8 a.m.: Sheep and poultry judging
8:30 a.m.: Horse and pony judging
Noon: Swine judging
Noon to 11 p.m.: Midway open
2, 4:30 & 7:30 p.m.: Cowboy Bob Hamm on Miller Lite Soundstage
2:30 p.m.: Bruce Korosa on Miller Lite Soundstage
5:30 p.m.: Lucky Town on Miller Lite Soundstage
7:30 p.m.: Championship bull riding $5 admission
8 p.m.: New Invaders on Miller Lite Soundstage
THURSDAY, JULY 17
8:30 a.m.: Dairy judging
8:30 a.m.: Swine judging, continued
8:30 a.m.: Horse and pony judging, continued
9 a.m.: Rabbit judging
Noon to 11 p.m.: Midway open
2 p.m.: Cowboy Bob Hamm on Miller Lite Soundstage
3 p.m.: Talent show on Miller Lite Soundstage
4 p.m.: Talent show winners on Miller Lite Soundstage
5:30 p.m.: Party Freak on Miller Lite Soundstage
7:30 p.m.: Megasaurus, the fire-breathing, car-eating monster
7:30 p.m.: Monster truck racing $10 admission
Megasaurus performance included
8 p.m.: DotDotDot on Miller Lite Soundstage
FRIDAY, JULY 18
8 a.m.: Goat judging
8:30 a.m.: Beef judging
10 a.m.: Horse and pony Fun Day
Noon to midnight: Midway open
2 & 3 p.m.: Cowboy Bob Hamm on Miller Lite Soundstage
5 p.m.: Painkiller Hotel on Miller Lite Soundstage
7:30 p.m.: International truck pull $10 admission
Megasaurus performance included
8:30 p.m.: Ronny Baker Brooks on Miller Lite Soundstage
SATURDAY, JULY 19
8 a.m.: Horse and pony dressage show
Noon to midnight: Midway open
1 p.m.: Toxic Funk on Miller Lite Soundstage
2 & 4 p.m.: Honey Bears on Miller Lite Soundstage
2 & 7 p.m.: Big Hat Rodeo Championship
3 p.m.: Honey Bears dance camp on Miller Lite Soundstage
5:30 p.m.: Milking Derby in Livestock Arena
5:30 p.m.: CAOZZ on Miller Lite Soundstage
8:30 p.m.: Ides of March on Miller Lite Soundstage
SUNDAY, JULY 20
Noon to 10 p.m.: Midway open
2 p.m.: Cowboy Bob Hamm on Miller Lite Soundstage
2 & 7 p.m.: Demolition Derby $5 admission
Megasaurus performance included
3:30 p.m.: Dayna Marlo on Miller Lite Soundstage
7:30 p.m.: Cryan Shames on Miller Lite Soundstage