Lake County Fair back to five-day schedule

The dates have been set, and this year the promised family fun at the Lake County Fair will be a bit more concentrated.

Looking to cut expenses, fair association board members have opted to streamline the annual extravaganza from six days to five — the same schedule as was in place 10 or more years ago.

The 2012 version — the 84th annual — is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 25, and run through Sunday, July 29.

“Tuesday in the past has been a slow day anyhow,” said Kelli Kepler-Yarc, president of the Lake County Fair Association board, the nonprofit agency that operates the fairgrounds on Peterson Road west of Route 45 in Grayslake.

“We’re just trying to be as financially responsible as we can be out there.”

Another change is that the traditional rodeo will not be held this year, although officials are trying to fill that gap with a monster truck show on Saturday.

“That will be new, and that’s big,” Kepler-Yarc said.

Also, ticket prices will be reduced to $8 from $10 per person Wednesday through Friday, and a family package will be introduced.

Officials wouldn’t release specific figures but expect to save about 20 percent in fair expenses by going to five days. The annual fair accounts for about half the revenue of the year-round operation.

“What this is showing is we are really aware of our budget and we know a five-day fair will provide the best experience for all involved,” said Sheri Piecuch Vyfvinkel, general manager.

“It’s making the most of your resources. We’re not in trouble.”

Though nothing improper was alleged, the chaotic state of fair finances became a public issue in November 2010. That led to a shake-up on the board and the hiring last spring of Vyfvinkel as the first professional manager in the fair’s long history.

The decision by the board to cut back to five fair days is part of an ongoing review all aspects of the operation, she said.

“The board has really dissected our budget. They’ve looked at every line item,” she added.

The fair moved from its home of more than 50 years at routes 120 and 45 in Grayslake in 2009. With the new facility came a slew of problems including millions in liens to contractors, which since have been settled.

Attendance in recent years has declined but has been plagued by bad weather and other issues. Last year, about 88,000 people attended the fair, down from 106,000 in 2010. About 204,000 attended at the old site in 2004.