McHenry County Fair introduces its first Round Bale Rumble
This year’s McHenry County Fair is introducing its first Round Bale Rumble. This single-elimination, bracket-style tournament will feature teams — of up to four competitors — racing to push a massive round bale of hay down the course faster than their opponents. It debuts Wednesday, Aug. 5, in the grandstand after the Draft Horse Pulls.
The rumble will be one of many competitions held during the fair, which opens Tuesday, Aug. 4, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 9. The week will include rodeo, quad racing, demolition derby, look-alike competitions, live music, and more.
Fair hours are noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at the McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock. A single day pass is $10, $5 for ages 6-12 or ages 65 or older. Admission is free for ages 5 or younger. A season pass is $30. For tickets to the fair as well as the grandstand events, go to mchenrycountyfair.com/tickets/.
Quad racing
On Thursday, the flat-track quad racing event will start at 6:30 p.m. with the following classes: Kids Quads, Utility Quads, Powder Puff Quads — Open, SXS, 4-Cycle Sport Quads, 2-Cycle Sport Quads, 2 & 4-Cycle Sport Quads — Open, Golf Carts, Zero-turn Mowers, and Power Wheels. The cost is $20 per class entry.
These events are open to everyone; pros and amateurs can bring in a machine and race it. For details or to sign up to race, contact Greg Marsch at (217) 825-3256 and marsch8211@yahoo.com, or Kathy Painter At (217) 494-5122 and kathy4388@yahoo.com.
Grandstand events
See a rodeo in action as the Next Level Pro Bull Riding returns with showdowns between cowboy and bull at 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $20. On Saturday, feel the ground shake and the engines roar as competitors put their machines to the test in the Illini State Pullers Tractors & Truck Pulls at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10. The fair wraps up on Sunday with the fan-favorite Demolition Derby at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20.
Live music
This year’s fair will offer two free concerts in the grandstand beer garden, included as part of general admission. On Friday, enjoy some refreshments while country artist Alex Miller performs at 9 p.m. On Saturday, the Feudin' Hillbillys will play country favorites, pop hits, classic rock, 1980s anthems, and even a little funk at 9 p.m.
Look-alikes
Registration is open for this year's Father/Son and Mother/Daughter Look-alike Contest at 6 p.m. Thursday. If people say you look like twins, here’s your chance to prove it and win bragging rights. Register at mchenrycountyfair.com/look-a-like-contest/.
Talent contest
For more than six decades, McHenry County fairgoers have watched young performers compete in the annual talent contest. It is open any person or group age 21 or younger who lives in or attends school in McHenry County. The talent show will be at 7 p.m. Friday. Cost is $10 to sign up. For information or to register, visit mchenrycountyfair.com/talent-contest/.
Food-eating contests
If your talents are more of a gastronomical nature, the McHenry County Fair also features food-eating contests.
The week begins with a milk-chugging contest at 7 p.m. Tuesday, hosted by the McHenry County Farm Bureau. On Wednesday, Antioch Pizza is hosting a pizza-eating contest at 7 p.m.
On Thursday, Cody’s Farm Market and Jablonski Concessions are offering a corn-eating contest at 7 p.m.
On Sunday, don’t fill up on breakfast before joining the doughnut-eating contest at 10 a.m., presented by Country Donuts.
The age groups are 5-8, 9-13, 14-17, and 18 or older. Only the first eight registrants in each age group will compete, so don't wait to sign up. Learn more at mchenrycountyfair.com/food-eating-contests/.
Free fun
In addition to the grandstand events, the fair hosts a variety of free activities.
The free daily activities include Magic Matt’s Family Fun Show, Nick’s Kid Show, ax throwing, Atomic Bingo, Primetime Racing, live raptor presentation, farm simulator, K-9 demonstrations and pedal pull competitions. You also can watch wood carver Joe Stebbing at work or see members of the Clayworkers Guild doing live painting.
For a schedule of activities, go to mchenrycountyfair.com/schedule.