Women's barrel racing a new addition to this year's Kane County Fair
'(Barrel racing) is very popular around the country. I think people will be pleased by it,' fair board Chair Larry Breon said.
The new competition, which requires riders on horseback to race around barrels in a clover leaf pattern, is expected to be one of the highlights of the annual fair, which also features the usual fare of carnival rides and games, 4-H exhibits, pig racing, live music and plenty of food over the course of its Wednesday-through-Sunday run at the St. Charles fairgrounds.
Always a big draw when the weather cooperates, the fair brought in between 50,000 and 60,000 people attend last year, Breon said.
'If we have good weather, we have good attendance,' he said. 'I hope we have good weather,' Breon said.
The female barrel racing is proving to be a big draw for professional racers who are coming from around the country to participate, he said. The event takes place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
There also will be other grandstand shows, like a series of professional championship bull rider and cowgirl events Friday and Saturday night and Saturday afternoon.
Tickets for bull riding and barrel racing can be purchased at www.rodeoticket.com.
'Bull riding is very popular,' Breon said. 'Everything is first class.'
Always a big draw is the demolition derby, which starts at 2 p.m. Sunday and costs $10 to attend.
Another fan favorite is pig racing, he said. 'Everyone loves them so we keep bringing them back,' he said.
But if you want to see the heart of the fair, don't miss the 4-H exhibitions, Breon said.
4-H members get to not only display their skills and livestock but also teach others about agriculture, he said. It's sometimes surprising for children when they connect the dots between the food they consume and where it comes from, he said.
'Kids don't realize milk comes from a cow because they think it comes from Jewel. You can come here and see a cow being milked,' he said.
Breon, who's been coming to the fair for 70 years, joined 4-H when he was 10 years old. His family owned a farm outside of Batavia, and he showed cattle when he was young, he said.
That first ribbon you win is unforgettable, he said. 'You felt pretty good about it,' Breon said.
As he got older, he won state and national championships and ultimately became part of the National Beef Association and a member of the Illinois State Fair board. He was a farmer until retiring last year.
Live music is always an important aspect of the fair, and this year there will be a variety of genres performing on the Miller Lite Sound Stage.
Eric Chesser, a Nashville-based country musician, kicks things off with a 7 p.m. show Thursday. On Friday night, Trippin' Billies, a Dave Matthews tribute band, will take the stage at 7:30.
Saturday, Mark Atkins performs at 5 p.m. and the Hillbilly Rockstarz go on at 8:30 p.m. The latter is known for mashing up pop, rock and dance songs.
The How Rude Band closes out the fair with a show at 6 p.m. Sunday. They play '90s hits, including pop and grunge.
Fantasy Amusements returns with its thrill rides like the OMG 360, which swings riders in 360 degrees while revolving, and Pharaoh's Fury. The midway also will have family-friendly rides, games, and, of course, funnel cakes and other fair foods.
Fair hours are 3 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Admission prices are $5 on Wednesday and Thursday and $5 for children and $10 for adults Friday through Sunday. There's no cost for children under 3. Free admission is available for seniors 62 and older and miltary with ID until 5 p.m. Thursday. A ticket to be used all five days costs $25. (Credit card purchases add 4% to the price.)
Wristbands are available for unlimited carnival rides, and range in price from $27 to $32 depending on the day.
The fairgrounds is located at 525 S. Randall Road in St. Charles. For more information, go to www.kanecountyfair.com.
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