DuPage County Fair kicks off July 23 with first 4-H Alumni Day
The DuPage County Fair, in collaboration with the University of Illinois Extension, is hosting its first 4-H Alumni Day July 23.
In the run-up to the fair, the DuPage, Kane and Kendall 4-H put out a call for 4-H alumni from any county, state, or year to be honored at an alumni salute during the opening ceremony at 6 p.m. Thursday.
In addition, these preregistered 4-H alumni will receive a 4-H VIP pin, fairgrounds tour, special games and contests, and a picnic with refreshments, as well as free admission to the fair that day. According to a July 8 Facebook post by the 4-H group, this celebration is an opportunity for alumni to tell their own stories, share photos, and give a shout out to their local clubs.
The fair hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 23; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, July 24; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 25; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at the DuPage Event Center and Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Enter at County Farm Road and the main entrance.
Livestock, exhibits
Over the four days, fairgoers can check out the 4-H exhibits on display in the southwest section of Building 1, as well as the open class competitions open to community members of all ages and skill levels in the southeast section. There also will be sheep-herding demonstrations at 2 and 6 p.m. daily in the north field.
The 4-H livestock shows will start Thursday with rabbits at 9 a.m. and poultry at 1 p.m., and continue Friday with goats at 9 a.m. followed by sheep, with the swine judging at 1 p.m. The awards ceremony will be at 4 p.m. Sunday on the main stage in the expo building.
Contests, entertainment
The annual fair also feature various contests for visitors, including a pie-eating contest at 3 p.m. Friday. On Saturday there will be a watermelon-eating contest at 3, talent contest at 5 and the Marilyn Goodrich 4-H Animal Costume Contest at 7 p.m., which takes place on the west lawn. A Pedal-Pull Contest will be at 2 p.m. Sunday.
The Axe Women Loggers of Maine are returning with three shows daily featuring chopping, sawing, ax throwing and logrolling competitions. The shows are 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, and 1, 3 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday in the west lot.
After the opening ceremony Thursday, the jam band ERT From Earth will open the beer garden stage at 7 p.m. Friday’s entertainment features Batavia’s Wilson River Band playing classic rock, pop and some country from the 1950s to the ’80s at 5 p.m., followed by Thankful Dead, a Chicago-based Grateful Dead tribute band, at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, the Solid-Aire Band will play classic rock ’n’ roll hits from the 1950s to today at 2 p.m., with Grupo Regresivo closing out the night at 8 p.m. On Sunday, the Mariachi Morelos will roam the fairgrounds at 2 p.m., with the eight-piece Lake Effect band opening the beer garden stage at 2:30 p.m.
Also on Sunday, Boot Scootin’ Judy Rice will teach line dances at 4:30 p.m. before Wildwood County takes the stage from 5 to 8 p.m., closing out the fair. In addition, the Dennis Martin Duo will perform at 5 p.m. each night on the dining hall stage.
There also will be a midway with games and rides. The Mega Pass for $35 includes unlimited rides for one day and fair admission.
Admission is $12 for ages 13 to 61, $8 for ages 6-12 or 62 and older, free for ages 5 or younger and active military with ID. Gates are cashless; ticket purchases are available at gate kiosks or online. Learn more at dupagecountyfair.org/event-calendar/.