The Kane County Fair, canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, is back this year, and organizers are promising big-fair fun with a small-town feel.
The 152nd fair kicks off Wednesday, July 14, and runs through Sunday, July 18, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road (at Oak Street), St. Charles.
Fair highlights include grandstand events, popular live bands, unlimited carnival rides, 4-H competitions, indoor and outdoor kids events and more.
Zoe Johnson, then 9, of Sycamore shares quiet time with one of her competition hogs at the 2019 Kane County Fair in St. Charles. – John Starks | Staff Photographer, 2019
There’s always something new at the fair. 5-B’s Catering is grilling up barbecued chicken and pork chops. The racing pigs are back. Test your knowledge at the Balster’s Agriculture Game Show. Get up close with 4-H animals or at the petting zoo.
Plan your visit
Fair hours and admission prices vary, and there is a surcharge for some grandstand events. Children younger than age 3 are admitted free every day. Exhibit halls close two hours before the midway closes.
The Fantasy Amusements carnival opens Wednesday, July 14, at the Kane County Fair. – Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer by signing up you agree to our terms of service
From 3 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, only the carnival, operated by Fantasy Amusements, will be open. Visitors will be admitted free to the fairgrounds, and $25 will get you unlimited carnival rides.
On Thursday, the midway is open from 3-11 p.m. with $5 admission. Military with ID and senior citizens older than 62 are admitted free until 5 p.m.
The fair is open from noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, with $10 admission for adults and $5 for children ages 3-12. A season ticket, good for admission throughout the fair, is $20. Tickets can be purchased online at kanecountyfair.com or at the gate.
Entertainment
The schedule of live bands on the Miller Lite stage and grandstand events includes:
See the Illini State Pullers from 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, July 15, at the Kane County Fair in St. Charles. There is a $10 grandstand surcharge for this show. – Courtesy of Illini State Pullers
• Thursday: Truck and tractor pull show featuring Illini State Pullers at 6:30 p.m. at the grandstand ($10 surcharge)
• Friday: Hillbilly Rockstarz at 7:30 p.m. on the Miller Lite Soundstage; PCB Bullriders and Cowgirls World Tour Finale XV at the grandstand ($20)
Rosie and the Rivets will perform at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 17, at the Kane County Fair in St. Charles. – Courtesy of Rosie and the Rivets
• Saturday: Rosie and the Rivets at 5:30 p.m. and Hi Infidelity at 8 p.m. on the soundstage; PCB Bullriders and Cowgirls World Tour Finale XV at the grandstand ($20)
• Sunday: Demolition derby at 2 and 5 p.m. at the grandstand ($10) and 7th heaven on the soundstage at 6:30 p.m.
Inside and out
Enjoy STEM interactive games with Wild Science at the Kane County Fair. – Courtesy of Wild Science
Cool down in the Prairie Events Center building, where sponsors and local businesses have information booths. There will also be Wild Science with fun and educational, interactive STEM games, as well as All Star Sports Instruction kids’ games, where kids can shoot hoops, throw footballs and hit baseballs.
Outdoors on the midway, you’ll find daily unlimited carnival ride specials, sizzling food and a variety of free shows and acts. Visitors can see 4-H animals, a magic show, Swifty Swine racing pigs, a Bengal Tiger Encounter, Imagination Gallery, Balster’s Agriculture Game Show, Friendly Farms petting zoo and more. There will be a special appearance by Ozzie and Annie of the Kane County Cougars. A car show featuring stock and modified old and new cars, trucks and motorcycles will be on display outdoors Saturday and Sunday.
For updates and details, check the fair’s website, follow the fair on Facebook or call (630) 584-6926.