Kane County Fair sees best attendance since 2018

Close to 80,000 people attended this month’s Kane County Fair, the fair’s best attendance since 2018.

According to Kane County Fair Board President Larry Breon, the fair attracted 78,660 people. The 152nd edition of the Kane County Fair took place July 14-18 at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles.

Last year’s Kane County Fair was cancelled because of the pandemic. He said good weather helped boost attendance along with people anxious to participate in activities again following the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions.

“We had a really nice crowd,” Breon said. “It’s a weather driven deal. I’ve always said that, and it’s the truth. It’s just how it works. The weather was nice and people enjoyed getting out. Everything just kind of worked out.”

A heat wave in July 2019 that baked the area for several days also took a bite out of attendance at the Kane County Fair. Attendance at that year’s Kane County Fair was about 58,900, a significant drop from the previous year.

More than 70,000 people attended the Kane County Fair in 2018.

On June 11, Kane County and surrounding counties entered Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan. Illinois businesses, restaurants, bars, large-scale events, conventions, amusement parks, zoos and seated spectator events are able to operate at full capacity and larger outdoor festivals can be held at no patron capacity restrictions.

Breon said other events at the Kane County Fairgrounds have been getting good sized crowds as well, such as the monthly Kane County Flea Market.