Hot weather ushers in Kane County Fair's first day

With only two hours before the midway at the 148th annual Kane County Fair opened Wednesday, Jan Ustaszewski continues to set up for Abracadabra Personalized Rings, the business she and her husband own.

She started setting up at 11 a.m. finding just the right spot to place rings, necklaces and earrings she has for sale. With the temperature around 85 degrees, setting up is taking a little longer than usual.

This year is the third year Ustaszewski and her husband, Mike Bianco, are at the Kane County Fair.

For $20, people can purchase a ring and Bianco will hand stamp a personalization on the ring. Rings are available starting at a size three and can be personalized with up to 23 letters and spaces.

"If you go to the mall they want $25 for the ring and a dollar per letter. Here, it's all included. You get the ring and the stamping. That's our biggest item," said Ustaszewski, of Mount Prospect. "Our idea is sell 100 rings at a good price instead of 50 rings at an outrageous price. A lot of people don't have the money to spend. We try to make it where it's affordable."

Three years ago Ustaszewski and Bianco were walking around on a Sunday afternoon in St. Charles when they came across a vendor selling personalized rings. Afterward, the couple decided they could make a living selling their own hand stamped personalized rings and started Abracadabra.

They spend their summers going to fairs and festivals in Illinois, Indiana, Florida and Alabama.

Bianco will make the ring as many times as he has to in order to ensure the ring is perfect for the customers.

"Making the people happy are really what we are all about. My husband will make a ring eight times if he has to just to make sure that the person looks at the ring and says, 'Oh my God, that is just what I wanted,'" Ustaszewski said. "If it's not perfect, you don't get it. My husband will make it until he gets it right."

Besides the personalized rings, they sell earrings that Ustaszewski makes herself as well as necklaces and a few other items. The earrings range from $8 to $10 unless otherwise marked. Ustaszewski said she tries to sell jewelry she thinks teenagers will like such as wings, owls and skeletons.

"We just pick out stuff that kids like and their parents won't be too freaked out that they buy it," Ustaszewski said. "We try to have stuff for the kids because that's mostly what the fair is ... for the kids."

• Kane County Fair Board President Larry Breon cut the red ribbon with big gold scissors Wednesday afternoon signifying the start of the fair, which runs through Sunday at the fairgrounds in St. Charles.

"You hope everything is in place and you hope everything works when you try to run it. ... That's the excitement of being ready, and now it's time to push the button and let's play ball," Breon said.

Thursday's highlights

What's happening at the Kane County Fair at the fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles.

• 8:30 a.m.: English horse and pony judging

• 9 a.m.: Swine and dairy judging

• 3 p.m.: Poultry judging, general admission and midway opens, including carnival rides, the Miller Lite Beer Garden, Commercial Expo at the Prairie Events Center and Radio Remote Shopping Show

• 7 p.m.: Charro Rodeo, a Mexican horseman show in the grandstands (additional $5)

• 8 p.m.: 7th Heaven at the Miller Lite soundstage

Info: <a href="http://kanecountyfair.com">kanecountyfair.com</a> or download the Kane County Fairgrounds app.