By Mike Danaher – The Courier-News-
Kane County Fair heads into its 150th year with rides, treats and nod to agricultural past
Thursday marked the official start of 150th annual Kane County Fair, offering a taste of the area’s agricultural side, the thrill of carnival rides and the kind of foods for which fairs are known.
Larry Breon, Kane County Fair Board president for the last 25 years, was a Batavia Boys 4-H Club member in his youth and part of the group who put up a flagpole on the current fairground when it opened in 1958 — the same year his champion steer was chosen to go to the Illinois State fair, he said.
“The fair has always been a major learning tool for those involved in agriculture, and one of its main thrusts over the years has been 4-H Clubs and their exhibits,” Breon said.
Among those showing livestock at the fair this week are Emma Stewart, 17, of St. Charles, and Autumn Kriegel, 11, of Hampshire, who spent Wednesday unloading prepping their dairy cows for competition.
Both girls noted their cows were generally friendly, but could be stubborn.
“She doesn’t want to walk,” Stewart said as she worked to bring Bronx inside a shed.
All told, there are 193 4-H members from 17 clubs in the county taking part in this year’s fair, Doris Braddock, 4-H and youth development program coordinator for the University of Illinois Extension, said.
“The numbers are down a smidge from last year and have taken a drop from 10 years ago. There are so many more things for kids to do nowadays,” Braddock said.
While most associate 4-H with livestock and agriculture, it isn’t limited to just that, she said. Members can explore, among other things, photography, technology, science and healthy living.
“You don’t have to live on a farm to be in a 4-H Club, and you never have. Less than 15 percent of members here in Kane County do,” Braddock said.
4-H is partnering again with the Chicago Commodities Exchange to offer a game that teaches children about what it takes to bring livestock to market. Overseeing the game in Kane is 4-H member and agribusiness major Zach Perkins, 19, of Millbrook.
“I like teaching agriculture to kids and showing them that anything can affect what it takes to raise livestock,” Perkins said. “I’ve been at fairs in more rural areas, so I expect it will be a different experience here, where it is more suburban.”
The 4-H Clubs also were offering what Braddock said was the best dessert deal at the fair — single scoop ice cream cones for just $1.50.
If fair-goers are seeking a more exotic ice cream treat, they might be tempted to sample the WonderStick, a $6 confection that resembles a bent churro filled with ice cream. Proprietor Tobin Grigsby of Shreveport, La., said his trademarked creation was inspired by a dessert he saw people eating while he was on a trip to South Korea. The cinnamon version tastes like Cap’n Crunch cereal, he said.
For the more traditional, there are elephant ears, said Heather Cornish, of Geneva, who was sampling one Wednesday while waiting to buy discounted carnival ride passes with her three children and nine friends and family. The fair preview night was Wednesday before the official Thursday opening.
“Unlimited ride tickets are $20,” Cornish said.
“I enjoy the idea that we provide an economical vehicle for families to come to,” Breon said. “And, like the 4-H Clubs, we evolve with the times. If anything says that this year (is) that along with our usual attractions, we have a wine-tasting area.”
The fair is open from noon to midnight Friday and Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 3 to 12, and free for children younger than 3.
The weekend highlights are a Monster Truck Show at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Professional Championship Bull Riding and Championship Barrel Racing at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and a Smash Em Bash Em Demolition Derby at 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets for the first two events are $14 for adults, $7 for children and free ages 5 and younger. A demolition derby ticket costs $10.
For more information on the fair, including musical entertainment, go to www.kanecountyfair.com.
mdanahey@tribpub.com
