New look for old tradition at Lake Co. Fair

As the old faithful carnival rides whirred and bounced nearby on unblemished blacktop, Lake County Fair Association President Dave DeYoung recalled the end of more than half a century of tradition and the beginning of a new era.

Flanked by local politicians, fair queens and fellow board members, DeYoung just after noon Tuesday marked the ceremonial opening of the 2009 Lake County Fair at its $20 million new home at Midlothian and Peterson roads in Grayslake.

After a slight delay, the flag was raised for the first time and sky divers drifted down. And then, choked with emotion, DeYoung cited Oct. 31, 2008 when the association literally left behind the buildings and grounds at routes 120 and 45.

"Ever since then, it's been an ongoing job to complete this, to have this fair," he said. Too many people had a hand it the behemoth task of building and organizing this year's annual event to thank individually, he added. The Lake County Fair runs through Sunday.

Nostalgia for the deteriorating old place was trumped by the $6 million estimate to bring it up to snuff. The fair board decided to go much bigger and better at a new location, and broke ground in December 2007.

Preparations continued until the gates opened at 9 a.m. Tuesday. But plagued by bad weather, union disputes and tight credit, some features were not completed in time.

A second exhibition building will have to wait, as will a permanent ticketing and information facility. The 2009 fair will be without a show barn and remote washroom facilities. The grass parking area didn't take well and is in rough shape.

But the grounds are much larger and spread out. All the favorites attractions remain and there are new facilities for motor sports and equestrian events, as well as a courtyard area fronting the stage.

"Wow. Look what you guys have done. My hats off to you," Charlyn Fargo, bureau chief of county fairs and horse racing for the Illinois Department of Agriculture, said in introductory remarks.

Although it varies on a case-by-case basis, county fairs are struggling and state funding is down somewhat, she said.

"It's been tough for county fairs," she acknowledged.

Fair Association members and Grayslake officials regard the opening as just the beginning of what will become an all-purpose, year-round venue for a variety of events.

"As impressive as this is, it's not the whole thing yet," said Grayslake village Trustee Shawn Vogel. "This is just the fair now. They have year-round marketability."

Lake Villa resident Michele Hinks, a veteran of the old fairgrounds, wasn't sure what to expect as she approached the main entrance with a friend and three children in tow.

"It looks smaller to me," she said. "Maybe it looks so small because it's in such a big area."

John Jackson, a friend from Antioch, wasn't worried.

"It should be a good day," he said.

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