Kendall County Fair Offers Friendly Competition for Residents

YORKVILLE, IL — Despite the rides, fun and games, another big aspect of any good fair is the competition, and the Kendall County Fair will be offering plenty of that.

Running Aug. 4-7, the fair will provide opportunities for 4-H youth, crafters, bakers, livestock exhibitors and more.

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General and Home Ec entries are free. You just need to pay the $14 exhibitor fee to bring in your favorite pie, quilt or painting or all three. This fee includes a ticket to get into the fair, all the shows and exhibits for all four days of the fair.

New competitions for kids include decorating a beach ball, creating an unusual bird house or craft a fairy garden. You can still make a “Lego” display, draw or paint a picture, submit a collection, and bring your favorite small pet to compete as well.

The open show exhibits in the Smith 4-H Hall still include photography, arts and crafts, foods, crops and soils, garden vegetable displays and clothing, with the floriculture displays in the Education building.

Livestock entries are due earlier than the General ones on July 5, since there is more work with displaying an animal. Tents and Stalls need to be set up and pens divided depending on number of exhibits, according the Tom Anderson, Livestock Superintendent of the fair. Those fees and forms are found on the website. You will find Beef, Dairy Cattle, Goats, Poultry, Sheep, and Swine contests in the open departments. Rabbits are limited to the 4-H members.

On Sunday there is a Master Showmanship contest that is the culmination of the 4-H youth’s showing. Each youth winning in their area can compete showing a beef, sheep and swine to see who can become the “Master” Showman. There is a Pee Wee showmanship contest on Friday August 5 following the swine show, open to any participant that meets the age requirements, not exclusive to swine exhibitors, according to Lisa Anderson, superintendent of the swine area.

If you are not in 4-H, youth can compete in the open show junior department. Those deadlines to sign up to show are coming up July 12. See fair information on the website.

The Kendall County Fairgrounds is located at 10826 Illinois Route 71 in Yorkville. For more information on location, tickets or other event schedules, visit www.kendallcountyfair.org.