125th Ogle County Fair slated for July 28-Aug. 1

From the queen pageant to carnival rides to the livestock shows, the 167th Ogle County Fair started Wednesday and runs through Sunday.

“The fair is family-oriented and affordable,” said Tom Simpson, fair board president.

The fair began with the crowning the 2021 fair queen on Wednesday and features the traditional grand stand shows — truck and tractor pull on Thursday, Big Hat Rodeo on Friday, and the demolition derby on Saturday.

Simpson said this year’s fair will feature a new Sunday event. Popular blues and rhythm & blues band The Jimmys will perform a free concert in the grandstands from 1 to 4 p.m.

“Since it’s a new event we’re not planning to charge. We’re going to accept donations since it’s our first time out of the gate with music,” he said.

Also new this year is Red T-Shirt Day on Thursday to honor the late Harlan Holm, who died unexpectedly last August.

Holm, long time fair and community volunteer, was noted for the red T-shirts he wore while working at the fairgrounds. He was fair board president for 12 years.

“The day will be dedicated to Harlan Holm and everyone is encouraged to wear a red T-shirt in his honor,” Simpson said. “A ceremony will be held with his family on stage in the grandstands before the truck and tractor pulls.”

The $8 admission fee includes free unlimited carnival rides and ground shows, such as Dan Dan the Farmer Man Comedy Rainmaker Shows and the Wild World of Animals.

Publicity director Carol Magnuson urged the public to take a look at the projects done by adults, as well as local 4-H club members and other youth.

“4-H Club projects are what we usually think of, but we also have adult and junior open shows,” she said.

Their efforts will be on display throughout the fair. The project shows cover a wide array of topics from traditional livestock, foods, vegetables and fruits, clothing and crafts, floriculture to beekeeping, electricity, woodworking, and computer science.

Other entertainment throughout fair includes Dan Dan the Farmer Man Comedy Rainmaker Shows, the Wild World of Animals, Ta-Da Robots, and Chainsaw Carver Dave Ferrell. Shows will be held at various times every day of the fair.

Also returning is the Brian Holt Magic Show with performances on Friday and Saturday.

Other musical groups will perform at the Lions Shelter will be Jim Wolber & the Lariat Band on Thursday, July 29, First Friday on Friday, July 30, and John Lindhorst & Strummers on Saturday, July 31. Shows are from 7:30 to 10 p.m. each evening.

The Ogle County Fairgrounds is on Lime Kiln Road, just north of Ill. 64 a mile west of Oregon.

For more information on fair events, visit www.oglecountyfair.com.