Ellyn Peska, 16 of Glen Ellyn is crowned Miss DuPage Country Fair queen 1965.
Daily Herald file photo
When we think of going to the county fair, most of us think of farm animals, tasty food and carnival rides.
The DuPage County Fair has had those experiences and more since 1955 when DuPage County was 85 percent farmland. Now, most of that farmland is gone making the DuPage County Fair the only county fair in an urban area.
The fair is a great place for suburban kids to see all sorts of farm animals up close such as cows, pigs, sheep, rabbits, chickens and more.
Over the years the DuPage County Fair has be a host to rodeos, fair queen pageants, demolition derbies, carnivals and top-level entertainment including the likes of Wille Nelson in 1995 and Ted Nugent in 2002.
This year the fair runs July 26-30 at the fairgrounds in Wheaton and will include a carnival, rodeo and demolition derby with headline entertainment including David Nail and Rachel Platten.
In this gallery of historical images from the DuPage County Fair, you will find photos of fair queens from the 1960s, children and adults alike enjoying the carnival rides and getting up-close looks at farm animals in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
Miss Bensenville State Bank Sharon Hedeen, 18 was the first runner up in the 1965 DuPage County Fair queen contest.
Daily Herald file photo
Kids take a ride in a "rocket ship" during the 1967 DuPage County Fair in Wheaton.
Daily Herald file photo
Hand and hand a pair check out the Ferris wheel a the 1967 DuPage County Fair.
Daily Herald file photo
Young visitors ride rocket ships during the 1970 DuPage County Fair.
Daily Herald file photo
A cow sport a hat for Illinois U.S. Senator Ralph Tyler Smith during the 1970 DuPage County Fair in Wheaton.
Daily Herald file photo
Three young girls get an up close look at a goose during the 1970 DuPage County Fair in Wheaton.
Daily Herald file photo
Visitors get a thrill riding on a roller coast at the 1970 DuPage County Fair
Daily Herald file photo
Horse riding competition at the 1969 DuPage County Fair.
Daily Herald file photo
Visitors take a ride on a roller coaster at the 1969 DuPage County Fair.
Daily Herald file photo
A balloon toting clown in a fire hat walks the board walk of the 1969 DuPage County Fair.
Daily Herald file photo
Visitors get a thrill riding on a roller coast at the 1970 DuPage County Fair
Daily Herald file photo
An artist shows off his airbrush skills by making a 57 Chevy tee shirt during 1970 DuPage County Fair in Wheaton.
Daily Herald file photo
The Mouse Game at the 1967 DuPage County Fair.
Daily Herald file photo
Visitors the 1967 DuPage County Fair look over some of the prize winning flowers.
Daily Herald file photo
Visitors the 1967 DuPage County Fair play a ring toss game.
Daily Herald file photo
Visitors the 1967 DuPage County Fair play carnival game.
Daily Herald file photo
A couple of young girls stand in front of the Ferris wheel a the 1967 DuPage County Fair.
Daily Herald file photo
Visitors stroll around the 1969 DuPage County Fair.
Daily Herald file photo
Horse riding competition at the 1969 DuPage County Fair.
Daily Herald file photo
Visitors watch a craftsman show off his skills at the 1969 DuPage County Fair.
Daily Herald file photo
Carnival rides at the 1969 DuPage County Fair
Daily Herald file photo
Just as today cows are a part of the 1969 DuPage County Fair
Daily Herald file photo
In 1970 feeding animals at the DuPage County Fair was still as fun as it is in 2017.
Daily Herald file photo
In 1970 feeding animals at the DuPage County Fair was still as fun as it is in 2017.
Daily Herald file photo
In 1970 feeding animals at the DuPage County Fair was still as fun as it is in 2017.
Daily Herald file photo
The DuPage County Fair and mobile housing for the carnival staff in 1989.
Daily Herald File photo