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The pigs have been soaped. The cucumbers have become pickles. And the strawberry rhubarb pie has been baked and tasted again.
It’s
county fair season, when rural culture is translated to the masses. The
soundtrack: Country. The fare: Pork chop sandwiches, snow-cones, cotton candy and funnel cakes.
Like
political candidates that have finessed their image to win over an
electorate, locals have groomed their skills – and their prized
livestock – in the hopes of finding a 4-H blue ribbon attached to their
entry: A floral arrangement, bantam chicken, table setting, canned
good, or most unusual looking vegetable.
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Throughout the summer months, this icon
of rural Americana unfolds in counties throughout Northwest Illinois. A
parade may serve as the prelude. Lawn chairs set up at daybreak
indicate the route. Cars are dressed, floats dragged, and the Little
Miss Fair Queen passes – smiling, waving.
“It’s kind of like
going to a farmer’s market that lasts for a week and showcases the
talents of the people that live in the area, or the surrounding area,”
says Sherry Flack, whose father and mother were advisers at the county
fair.
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“I think it’s a good example of how this country was founded. It was founded based on agriculture.”
Flack’s
grandparents were farmers and she married a farmer. Every year, she
attends the local county fair for the food (especially the homemade
cream puffs), and for the livestock shows.
Much like dog
shows, Flack explains, families prepare their animals for months
leading up to the competition. Teenagers sleep overnight on cots at the
fairgrounds to be near their prized heifer cow, baby chicks, and draft
horses. During the day, they march their animals into an arena before
the judges, spraying the pigs with water bottles to keep them cool.
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Novices
can attempt the rural way of life by jumping into a ring for the
chicken scramble, or signing up for the tractor pull. They’re advised
to stay put on the sidelines when experienced bull riders compete
against each other and a one-ton beast. Everyone – the city dwellers
and the country folk – find entertainment on the carnival midway, in
rides that twirl and drop and bump and swing.
To Flack, the
county fair highlights the best of the agricultural community because
all the generations are working together. And it helps remind people
where their food comes from by putting them in touch with the source.
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For
Flack’s mother, who loved the county fair, entering her hobbies in
competition for floral arrangements and antique collecting were among
the last things she did before she passed away. “The fair kept her
going,” Flack says. “That was her life. That was her passion.”
The
family legacy of farming has passed to Flack’s 30-year-old son, as has
the family’s affection for the county fair; today, he serves as a
superintendent and oversees the shows.
Summer 2008 Schedule:
Ashton Summer Celebration
June 7 — 8
The village of Ashton really knows how to throw a party: horseshow contests, bed races, a parade, farm toy show, and more!
Old Settler's Days
June 27 — 29
Come to Lanark and enjoy nightly entertainment, a blockbuster parade,
talent show, beer garden, kids activities, horseshoe tournament, pork
chop BBQ, and so much more.
Savanna River Front Festival
June 20
A day of music, food and fun!
Dixon Petunia Festival
July 2 - July 6
Dixon's grand summer party and celebration! In its 43nd year, this
year's festival promises to be bigger and better than ever! Three big
music stages, a giant beer garden festival tent, parade, fireworks, and
a whole lot more.
Mt. Carroll Garden Walk
July 12
Stroll the brick streets of Mt. Carroll and enjoy historic architecture
while viewing beautiful flower, shade and perennial gardens.
Tour de Health Bike Ride
July 19
Enjoy a quiet and scenic ride along rural routes leading south of Rock
Falls, to the Hennepin Canal, and to Tampico, the birthplace of Ronald
Reagan.
52nd Lee County 4-H Fair
July 24-27
Where agriculture and citifolk meet. See the cows, horses, pigs, etc., etc., and the kids who raise them!
Ogle County Fair
July 30 - August 3
Looking for a great county fair? This is it! Located on the fairgrounds
just outside of Oregon, the Ogle County Fair features a rodeo,
demolition derby, tractor pulls, livestock barns . . . fun for the
whole family!
Franklin Grove Summer Harvest Festival
August 2 - 3
The friendly folks of the Franklin Grove area invite you to enjoy activities of today and yesterday. Events by local groups, food, parade and the ever-popular Slow Tractor Race. The Chaplin Creek Village features crafters, artisans, and a blacksmith demonstrating skills of days gone by in buildings restored to replicate life in the 19th century. Held in conjunction with the Living History Antique Equipment Association Antique Tractor Show.
Carroll County Fair
August 4 — 9
Top country music entertainment highlights this grand old county fair.
Livestock and agriculture events, carnival and midway, rodeo, etc.
Whiteside County Fair
August 12-16
Held in Morrison, IL, this fair has everything. Demolition derby, pro bull riding, harness racing, and tractor pull are just some of the activities in this fun-filled week.
Amboy Depot Days
August 21 - 24
Celebrate Amboy's railroad heritage with events that include tractor show, carnival, parade & area's largest car show plus pancake breakfasts, pork chop dinner, arts & crafts, garage sales, and free live entertainment Thurs., Fri. & Sat. evenings.
Thomson Melon Days
August 31 - Sept 3
Known as the "Watermelon Capital of the
World," Thomson celebrates its melons with great entertainment, a
parade, softball tournament, food, and, of course, free Thomson
watermelon all weekend.
Shannon Labor Day Weekend Celebration
August 30 - Sept 1
Come to Shannon to celebrate Labor Day the old-fashioned way! Events include antique car show, 5K walk/run, crowning of 2008 Homecoming Queen. Labor Day kicks off with a HUGE parade, and pork chop BBQ. All weekend: games, raffles, food, crafts and entertainment for all ages in downtown Shannon.
Mt. Carroll Brick Street Day
September 6
Come to historic Mt. Carroll and stroll our brick streets while enjoying sidewalk sales, food vendors, art show, farmers market, classic car, motorcycle, and tractor show.
60th Grand Detour Art Festival
September 7
Over 40 fine artists will gather again in Grand Detour on the grounds
of the John Deere Historic Site for the 60th year. Artists of all
genre; oils, acrylics, watercolors, sculpture, photography, fiber,
jewelry, etc. will be present. This show is sponsored by KSB Hospital
of Dixon, IL and in partnership with The Next Picture Show gallery of Dixon. The show will also feature a Children's Art Show.
Sterling-Rock Falls Mexican Fiesta Days
September 7 - 13
Join us for this annual heritage celebration which includes kids fun fair, specialty food, folkloric dancers, parade, soccer tournament, boxing show and crowning of the 2007 Fiesta Queen.
Autumn in the Grove
September 20
Visit Franklin Grove and step back in time during "Autumn in the Grove" where you can visit our four historic sites- Nachusa Grasslands, the Franklin Creek Grist Mill, a working replica of an 1847 grist mill; the Chaplin Creek Village of restored historic buildings and the H. I. Lincoln Building, a renovated stone block building that now serves as the National Headquarters for the Lincoln Highway Association. Food, beverages and shuttle bus service will be available.
Harvest Day
September 20
Prophetstown celebrates the harvest with crafters, farmer markets, bake sales and food stands. Don't miss this one!
Copyright © 2008 Blackhawk Waterways CVB
Author: Abbie Reece
Photography by: Jack Hughes Copyright © 2008
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Blackhawk Waterways CVB