With a carnival offering fun for all ages and a plethora of agricultural exhibitions, vendors, and events like the ever-popular demolition derby and rodeo, the 122nd annual Will County Fair in Peotone was another success.
Abundant sunshine, a comfortable breeze, and intermittent clouds with temperatures in the lower 80s during the day were the perfect backdrop for attendees from opening day on August 20 to the last day of the fair on August 24.
Will County Fair President Jay Nadler gave credit to his board for all of their hard work in making the fair a success each year. In his 28th year on the board, he’s still excited to see it all come together.
“They’re really energetic and have a can-do spirit. They make my life simpler,” Nadler said on opening day.
“The weather forecast is fabulous,” Nadler added. And indeed it was — not too hot and, in the evening over the weekend, perhaps even a little chilly as cooler nighttime temperatures moved in over the weekend.
The Will County Fair offers a large carnival and lots to do, providing fairgoers with the chance to have fun, learn about agriculture, and enjoy themselves.
“The fair gives the youth the chance to experience agriculture and enjoy the carnival in a healthy and safe environment,” Nadler said of the fair.
There are plenty of games, tons of food options, and vendors selling unique items, along with other events like a magic show, live music, fine arts and crafts on display for judging in the atrium and, of course, all of the agricultural exhibits, vendors, and shows. There’s a beer garden, bingo, and more activities and things to do than could be listed.
For families, the fair board again offered Wednesday Family Day, with $1 admission and $1 carnival rides, thanks to Luehrs’ Ideal Rides. Nadler explained they hatched the idea about several years ago to offer a discounted day, and it’s been a success each year.
Outside of Family Day, this year brought a two-dollar admission increase to $8 per person, although children under nine years old do not get charged an admission fee.
Nadler explained they hate to increase prices, but insurance and power costs have skyrocketed. Vendors and carnival attractions all need power to operate and, as demands grow, they do their best to accommodate.
Nadler’s pride in the event, particularly in having more livestock and in the number of family-friendly activities like the ping-pong drop and dollar night, was evident.
Returning this year to the carnival were fan favorites like the fun slide, Ferris wheel, tilt-a-whirl, carousel, and Pharaoh’s Fury.
While most of Pharaoh’s Fury riders are younger, delighted by the gravity-defying boat that glides high into the air, dropping stomachs as it swings back and forth, 83-year-old Joyce Frederick from Goreville in Southern Illinois showed there is no age limit to having fun.
“I want to go on all of them!” Frederick said after stepping off the ride alongside her daughter-in-law, Mary.
Taking things a little slower with youngsters in tow, Nikki and Lane Thompson enjoyed sliding down the Fun Slide with their two-year-olds Eli and Everly, and six-year-old Elaina. They come every year and always have a great time, especially at the demolition derby.
In the livestock barns, kids were delighted to get up close and personal with goats, cows, swine, and horses.
“We come every year and, now with the kids, we love seeing the animals,” Manhattan resident Chanel Krantz said. She came out with her children Marcus, 22 months, and Makenna, age four.
“She loves the rides, and we always get bits ‘n fixins from Mr. K’s Chuckwagon,” Krantz added.
There were plenty of competitors with their livestock out, competing for rosettes and cash prizes in swine, goat, sheep, and cattle exhibitions.
Parker Smith of Chebanse brought out one of his swine for the Junior Swine Show. He won Grand Champion in Yorkshire Gilts in his exhibition.
“It takes a lot of work to do that, and they’re young, too!” Nadler said, noting they have to walk, wash, and care for the livestock they show.
A tractor pull took place on Thursday, and a demolition derby scrambler event was held Friday evening. The traditional demolition derby, held Saturday evening, had cars crashing in front of a sold-out crowd, and the rodeo on Sunday also drew a large crowd, as it does every year.
Fair newcomers Yvette Miles and Toni Herbin, who brought her five-year-old son Asher, came to visit the fair from Monee and said they loved it.
“I love this part better than the rides,” Toni Herbin said of getting to see the livestock up close in the barns.
As the sun sets on the Will County Fair on Sunday, fair organizers will take a little break before they start getting ready for the 123rd annual fair — there are certainly no signs of stopping this late summer staple.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.