By Stephanie Irvine
Family Dollar Day kicked off the 121st annual Will County Fair in Peotone on Wednesday. Opening day weather for the County Fair was more than fair — it was perfection. Abundant sunshine and blue skies with daytime temps in the mid-70s made it comfortable for not just attendees but the horses and livestock, too. Droves of families lined up to take advantage of the discounted admission, tickets, and rides.
“We’re ecstatic!” said WCFA President Jay Nadler, DVM, of the opening day turnout. He also was pleased there are more livestock exhibitors than in years past, and they expect the grandstands to be full at nearly every event throughout the weekend, including the rodeo.
The fair drew returning visitors, such as Eric Heidrich and his family of Frankfort, who come to the fair every year. They have for as long as he could remember. “I don’t know if I could pick a favorite,” Heidrich said, after explaining he and his family enjoy the animals, food, and rides.
Kevin Barton and Britney Abrons of Peotone attended with their kids. Like Heidrich, Barton and Abrons attend the fair annually. Barton said he was most looking forward to the food, but concerning the weather, “It’s perfect! Not too hot, not too cold.”
There’s no shortage of things to see and do at the sprawling fairgrounds.
Once guests come through the main admission gate, they are positioned to get a first-hand look at exhibited livestock. Attendees get a glimpse of agricultural life, as owners tend to cattle, pigs, and goats. A horse stable and outdoor paddock give the horses a chance to stretch their legs when not being shown or ridden in Sunday’s rodeo.
The Ludwig family of Manhattan had just arrived and were about to enter the livestock barns when Jack Ludwig, age seven, explained he liked seeing the animals up close. He also was excited to ride “the one that kind of goes in circles.”
Jack’s mom, Stacy, said they attend the fair every year. “It’s a tradition. We enjoy being down here. We like that it’s a kick-off to the school year, and kind of the end-of-summer, too.”
The fair also brought newcomers and to the fair.
Bridget McGowan, of Chicago, brought her one-year-old son, Jay. She attended with friend Michelle Madden of Elwood, who brought her son, Damien, age 7.
“She’s actually the one who told me about it, and I live closer,” Madden said of her friend, who introduced her to the fair. Madden explained that although she lives nearby in Elwood, she didn’t know about the fair. They both loved it, and Damien was looking forward to the Monster Truck show.
As for whether the duo will return, they “Definitely will be back!” Madden said.
Margaret Schneidewind, age six (soon to be turning seven), attended with her parents, Kiki and Michael, of Champaign. Their parents live in the area, which brought them to the fair.
“I have to say the sock slide was my favorite,” Margaret said of her favorite carnival ride. She also was looking forward to seeing the baby chicks.
The fairgrounds are lined with various vendors, from apparel and jewelry to equipment, service providers, and multiple organizations. There is no shortage of delicious food vendors, with fair favorites that include sweet corn, cotton candy, corn dogs, and funnel cakes.
Among the many food vendors returning this year was Mr. K’s Chuckwagon, a local favorite. The food truck offers legendary “bits ‘n’ fixins,” a buttery delight of sirloin steak, potatoes, and peppers. It always draws a long line.
Quilts, crafts, and photography entries are displayed, judged, and awarded ribbons in the fine arts exhibit building.
New this year, the fair hosted “The Wheels of Agriculture,” a children’s game show that was both educational about agriculture and fun for the kids. Nadler explained his mission was to include agricultural education at the fair.
Also new to the fair were online ticket sales for the weekend events. Some tickets will be reserved for in-person purchase, but they are limited. About two-thirds will be sold online. The events sell out each year, but this way, people won’t be stuck standing in line.
Of course, the fair’s carnival offered a variety of rides and games, with gentler rides for youngsters and stomach-dropping, spinning, and whirling rides for the more adventurous. On Family Day each year, rides are only a dollar, complementing the one-dollar admission.
In today’s economy, it’s like time traveling, with some attendees in disbelief, not realizing that not only were the tickets a dollar, but that all of the rides would only require one ticket, too.
“About five years ago, we hatched this plan with Leuhrs to do the dollar day,” said Nadler. Luehrs Ideal Rides operates the carnival at the fair.
“It’s kind of an homage to families, young families. A lot of families are going to come back, but where can you take kids, you get in for a dollar, you can see the animals, you get the ping-pong ball drop, and they get eight to 12 gifts, and then you can ride rides for a dollar a ride!” Nadler explained.
Family Day includes the Ping Pong Drop for the kids, which takes place by the grandstands.
“Something fun for the kids, different, and they get all the gifts!” Nadler said of the event.
Nadler recalled the ping-pong drop originated about 10-to-15 years ago, with a helicopter hovering over the field to dump the balls. Recently, hundreds of ping-pong balls are now fired from several air cannons.
It’s exciting to see hundreds of balls flying in the air, and it draws a huge crowd. The corralled kids can’t wait to rush out onto the field once the balls have dropped to collect their bounty. The event goes in waves, with kids separated by age to ensure little ones don’t get accidentally trampled by overzealous older children. The kids then exchange their ping-pong balls for several gifts.
It cooled off a bit as night fell, and carnival rides lit up the sky, but it was perfect for the hoards of happy teens, delighted as they hopped around to different carnival rides.
There is no shortage of Will County Sheriff Auxiliary Staff, which keeps the event safe. The Manhattan Fire Protection District also is present in the event of an emergency.
Nadler has a long history with the Will County Fair organization. You could say it runs in the family. Nadler’s father was the fair veterinarian, beginning in 1954, and he took over fair veterinary duties in 1986. He joined the board in 1997 and has served as the president for the past eight years.
He was very proud of how the fair came together, as he should be.
“It’s a family-friendly fair,” Nadler said. And it very much was.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.
