New place, old tradition for Lake County Fair
The grass is just taking root and several buildings are incomplete.
But officials of the Lake County Fair Association emphasize their new home will be ready at the end of July for the biggest event of the year.
The operation will be a little leaner but organizers promise fairgoers will still get the full experience of the traditional county fair. Plus, for the first time there will be beer - and Budweiser Clydesdales - among other changes.
"We're going to have everything we've always had at the fair," said Dave DeYoung, president of the not-for-profit group. "We're going to tighten things up and make it all work."
DeYoung and other fair officials Tuesday showed off their new home at Peterson and Midlothian roads in Grayslake and explained plans for the 2009 Lake County Fair, which begins July 28.
Bad weather, union disputes and tight money have created pressure to ready the showcase facility, which is set to replace more than 50 years of tradition cultivated at the old fairgrounds at Route 45 and 120, 4 miles north.
After more than five years of planning, the annual Lake County Fair is in exciting but uncharted territory as modern facilities replace the deteriorating mainstay.
Though familiar to generations, the old place was literally falling apart and it was determined by the fair association that it would cost up to $6 million for repairs.
Though an initial deal fell through, the association sold the 102-acre fairgrounds site to a shopping center developer in exchange for the 159-acre Titus Farm property on Peterson Road and $12.5 million in cash.
Renowned designer Bullock Smith & Partners of Tennessee was hired to produce the new facility. About $15 million of the nearly $20 million construction budget has been spent.
"I think we'll be the envy of county fairs across the country when we finish building out," said Bill Obenauf, a fair board member.
A 15,000-square-foot exposition building, remote washroom facilities, some parking and a show barn will not be complete when the 2009 fair opens, according to DeYoung. Bleachers will be rented instead of purchased to save money.
So what will that mean to visitors? The carnival, food vendors, petting zoo, rodeo and other attractions remain but the grounds are larger and the set up is designed to make it easier to navigate.
One of the biggest changes is that beer will be sold for the first time in the fair's lengthy history. Beer sales will be confined to two tents and patrons won't be allowed to roam the grounds with alcoholic beverages.
"It was a really big decision for the board but the bottom line was economics," said DeYoung. "Other fairs do it. They're very successful. It will be in a controlled area."
Another major change is that there will be separate facilities for motor sports and equestrian events.
The centerpiece 65,000-square-foot exposition building has been open for several months and the space is available for graduations, receptions, proms and other events. Boat and wedding shows are new events on the schedule this year.
One of the biggest hurdles will be letting people know where the new facilities are. The location has not been inputted to GPS and other devices, DeYoung said.
"We're still having the public confused about exactly where we're at," he said.