Farmers Weekly Review

The Will County Fair Association will celebrate its 120th Fair beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 22, with great entertainment, fun food and a new monster truck show.

Dana Schubbe, Recording Secretary for the Will County Fair Association, said some scheduling changes have been made, but all the favorite events are back.

“The A-Affordable Scramble Race and Derby has been moved to Saturday at noon, with the Dralle Chevrolet Demolition Derby to follow at 6:30 p.m.,” she said.

“The cowboys and cowgirls love coming out to the Terry’s Ford of Peotone I.P.R.A Championship Rodeo on Sunday.”

“There is always free entertainment at the family entertainment tent, with magic shows and even the Frankfort Brass Band honoring our Vets on Thursday of the Fair.

“Alford E. Gator will be visiting friends and visitors during the whole five days all around the fair in his Tiny Swamp House.

“Dollar Day is on Wednesday, and this is our Family Day with $1 entries for ages 10 and over, and all carnival rides are $1 each.”

A highlight of Wednesday’s events is always the free Ping Pong Drop for kids on the track. Families watch as ping pong balls are shot out of canons, and when the gate opens, kids dash to gather ping pong balls. The ping pong balls are taken to Fair volunteers and exchanged for some great prizes. The event is free, and kids will be grouped by age: 3 – 5 years, 6 – 8 years and 9- 11 years.

Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. and the drop will start about 6 p.m. Coloring contest winners will be announced just before 6 p.m.

“Thursday is our farmers’ favorite, with the DeJong Equipment Sponsored I.T.P.A Tractor Pull at 8 p.m. at the Grandstand,” Schubbe said. Admission is $10.

An Antique Tractor Pull at 9 a.m. that day is free. Thursday also will be Senior Citizens and Veterans Day, opening at 11 a.m.

Mike’s Magic Family Magic Show will be featured in the Entertainment Tent at 1p.m., 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Dave Rudolph and British Re-Invasion will perform at 2 and 4 p.m. Dave Fleming’s juggling will be there at 3 p.m. The Frankfort Brass Band will perform patriotic music at 6 p.m.

All Entertainment Tent events are free.

Beer Tent music will begin at 8 p.m., featuring Strawdawg.

Friday, Aug. 25 is Monster Truck Day.

“The big new event this year is the Monster Truck show, sponsored by Pearl Chrysler Jeep Dodge,” Schubbe said. The show begins at 7 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now. Admission for ages 10 and over is $25, for children 9 and under, $15. Price does not include Fair admission.

All pre-purchased tickets will include a Pit Party Pass. Tickets purchased at the gate will not include the party pass, but it may be purchased at the gate for an additional fee ($20).

For more information, call (708) 258-9359 or Fax (708) 258-9166.

Also on Friday, Mike’s Family Magic show returns to the Entertainment Tent at noon and 2 p.m., with Circus Boy Bobby Hunt at 1 p.m. and Mr. D’s Magic Show at 3 p.m.

Beer Tent entertainment begins at 8 p.m. with Matt Yeager & Amp, and the South Side Social Club.

On Saturday, the Fair will feature the Will County Fair Scramble & Scramble Derby beginning at noon at the Grandstand. Admission is $10. Pit Passes can be purchased for $20. Must be 16 or older to purchase a Pit Pass.

Family entertainment will feature Flash Magic at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Circus Boy Bobby Hunt at 1 p.m., and Scribble Monster at 4p.m.

Will County Demolition Derby is at 6:30 p.m. in the Grandstand, and Any Given Weekend performs in the Beer Tent at 8 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 27, will open with the annual Chili Cook-Off at 8 a.m. in the Beer Tent, and the Peotone Community Church Service at 8 p.m. in the Entertainment Tent.

Flash Magic will perform at noon and 3 p.m., and Dave Rudolph Beach Party at 1:30 p.m.

The I.P.R.A. World Championship Rodeo, sponsored by Terry’s Ford of Peotone, will take place at the Grandstand at 2p.m. Admission is $10.

Midlife Crisis band will perform in the Beer Tent at 6 p.m.

One of the Fair’s most popular events, the annual Baby Show, will be held on Sunday at 1:30 p.m., in the south side of the commercial exhibit hall, inside the restaurant.

Entries are open now and close on Saturday, August 26 at 8 p.m. Babies 6 months to 36 months are eligible for the show.

A Certified Birth Certificate (or copy of) is required from the county of birth. A Souvenir Certificate from a hospital will not be accepted. A certified county birth certificate can be obtained from the county clerk’s office from which the baby was born. Entry fee is $1.

More information about the Baby Show and all other Fair events is available on the Will County Fair website www.willcountyfair.org, or by calling (708) 258-9359.

The Will County Fairgrounds are located at 710 S West St. in Peotone.