New Lake County fairgrounds taking shape
Summer may not come fast enough for winter-weary Lake County residents, but in a sense it already has arrived for staff at the Lake County Fairgrounds.
Though open for business, hundreds of details big and small are being dealt with daily as the not-for-profit group races to complete its new $20 million home for its premier event, July 28 through Aug. 2.
Budget overruns mean that unless the unexpected happens, most but not every amenity originally envisioned will be in place for the opening Lake County Fair near Peterson and Midlothian roads, Grayslake.
"We're going along. There's a few glitches but nothing that can't be overcome," said David DeYoung, president of the Lake County Fair Association.
The massive events building, the centerpiece of the project, opened last October. Also last fall, Midlothian Road was extended to the entrance and a 14-acre parking lot, which will become the fair's midway, was paved. Utilities have been installed.
But the cost of steel and other expenses have stretched the budget. A down real estate market also has hurt chances of the fair selling an adjoining 20-acre parcel for commercial development.
"It's not horrible, but it's a reality," DeYoung said of budget concerns.
That means some animals won't have new digs when the fair opens, and spectators will sit in portable seats.
"The poultry and rabbit buildings will be in tents this year unless something changes," DeYoung said. "There's no way we can fund permanent bleachers at this time, so we'll rent them."
Fair directors hope to raise funds, such as from the $50-a-ticket St. Patrick's Day dinner and dance March 14. Tickets must be purchased at the fair office by March 6.
There is movement on other fronts. Materials are scheduled to be delivered this week and construction will begin next week on five other livestock buildings to house goats, sheep, swine, beef cows and dairy cows.
Work on several small exhibit buildings also will be under way, and a large expanse of land this spring will be graded and seeding for fair parking.
Meanwhile, contracts are being negotiated with everyone from the stilt walker to the bands and more than 300 vendors for fair week. Kathleen Van Dien, senior coordinator of events and concessions, plans to up the entertainment ante.
"We're trying to get into the national acts," she said. "We feel the county needs that here, and we have the venue."
Aside from traditional events, such as the antiques fair, Van Dien is trying to maximize the new facilities by booking weddings, boat shows and the like. A landscape show has been booked for 2010 and other possibilities are in the works, although contracts have not been signed.
"After fair time, there will be more and new events," she predicted.