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Monster trucks roll into DuPage County Fair

The sounds of crunching metal, squealing tires and cheering crowds soon will be intermixed with the noises of cows, sheep and ducks at the DuPage County Fair.

For the first time, a Monster Truck Thrill Show will wow fair-goers as drivers race in the Grandstand area at the fair.

“It’s a lot of excitement and a lot of things being run over because people seem to enjoy that,” Fair President Jim McGuire said.

At 2 and 7 p.m. showings Saturday, July 30, audience members can watch motorcycle riders perform back flips and see truck drivers freestyle around the course.

“They get a big kick out of it, especially the little boys,” said Del Johnson, operations manager at Paul Shafer Motorsports. “They go nuts over the monster trucks, I think because they’re so big to them.”

Among the show’s attractions will be Outback Thunda, an Australian monster truck making its second appearance in the United States at the DuPage County Fair. In addition to the shows, the truck will be on display throughout the fair, open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Sunday, July 31.

The Aussie truck and its driver made their debut in March to a sold-out crowd at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. Johnson is sure the fair’s monster truck show will sell out as well.

The group will bring four monster trucks and several motorcycle riders to dazzle Grandstand attendees with jaw-dropping stunts and gravity-defying jumps.

For individuals hoping to get a closer look, a monster truck will offer rides for $5 throughout the weekend.

The fair’s Saturday entertainment is perfect for families looking to save a few bucks, Johnson says. Admission is $7, in addition to the fair entry fee of $8 for adults, $3 for ages 3 to 12 and free for younger children. The total is “cheaper than you can get almost everywhere for a monster truck show,” he said.

Though regardless of cost, Johnson is confident the monster truck show will draw hundreds of fair-goers.

“It’s racing,” he said. “Everybody’s into racing.”

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Paul Shafer Motorsports had a sold-out show at the Sears Centre in March. The group will be returning to the area to wow DuPage residents with monster trucks at the county fair. Daily Herald File Photo

If you go

What: Monster Truck Show at the DuPage County Fair

When: 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 30

Where: Grandstand area of the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton

Cost: $7 for tickets plus fair admission of $8 for adults, $3 for ages 3 to 12

Info: dupagecountyfair.org

For a look at the complete fair schedule, see Page 2.