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  Coler Avenue & Fairview Avenue Urbana, IL 61801
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Cotton candy, elephant ears, hot dogs, popcorn, Polish sausage, hot pretzels and French fries abound! All of these insanely unhealthy (and therefore incredibly delicious) foods can once again be found in one place — the Champaign County Fair! Yes, the fair is in town and all of its loud, colorful and exciting events will be happening July 23 through July 31 at the fairgrounds in Urbana.

Now in its 158th year, the Champaign County Fair started out as a way for pioneer families to gather and compare livestock and crops. Today, it has become a large affair where people come from not only our county but surrounding counties as well. Thousands wander the grounds during fair days, which all highlight an important group through names such as Military Appreciation Day, Family/Agriculture Day, Livestock Day, Democrat/Senior Citizen Day, Republican Day, 4-H Day and Youth Day. Because there are many different events taking place, anyone can find something they like, from a horse show to music at the grandstand to a talent show to 4-H livestock judging.

For equine enthusiasts, the horse show will take place on Sunday, July 25, at 9 a.m. in the arena, located in the northeast area of the fairgrounds past the horse barns. It features open barrel racing as well as open poling, which both test agility and speed. Last year, the open barrel contest alone attracted over 90 contestants from all over Illinois, as well as from out of state. One of last year’s competitors, for instance, came from Georgia to visit family in the area and ended up deciding to enter the show.

The show will be even better this year according to Darren Woller, horse show chairman, who assured that whether people have “been before or not, we have done a lot of work to improve the show.”

This includes a brand new arena with bleachers to sit on and an updated floor that will hopefully help draw more horses to the show and make it a better experience for all.

Having lived in Champaign County all of his life, Woller has attended the fair since he was a small child.

“I enjoy all of it,” said Woller when asked what his favorite part of the fair was. “Outside of the horse show, I’d say fair food.”

He’s not alone. Another man that loves fair food is Dennis Riggs, a member of the volunteer board of directors for the Champaign County Fair.

“Give your diet one week off to enjoy the fair,” said Riggs.

To everyone’s delight, Riggs assured that many of the fair favorites will be there again this year, including French fries from Culler’s, the polish sausage next to the grandstand, and Miss Piggy’s. However, the thousands of visitors — about three to five thousand a day according to Riggs — that come each year to not only enjoy the food but also the entertainment will be able to experience another special event this year. Even better, it’s one that hasn’t been at the fair in a few years — musicians at the grandstand. On Saturday, July 24, two bands will be performing at the grandstand for a $5 entrance fee.

Known fairly well around Champaign County, the first band is a classic rock band called the Crazy Johnny Band with Dawna Nelson, while the second band to perform is a country-western band from Southern Illinois called the Pearl Handle Band. Great entertainment like this for low prices are part of the reason why Riggs said that the entire fair is “such a good entertainment value” compared to other places you could go.

Included in the fair’s entertainment is the talent show, which welcomes any type of talent. This means that although singers and instrumentals frequently grace the stage, the occasional magician or dancer can be found as well. In addition to a junior level open to 14-year-olds and under, the talent show also has a senior level open to 15 to 21-year-olds who wish to showcase their talents. First place winners receive $75 with a chance to go onto state; second place receives $50 and third receives $25. Since the talent show provides such a great opportunity to strut your stuff and see the talented people in the community, Janet Largent, coordinator of the talent show, would love for the community to “come out and support the young people and Champaign County.”

Finally, there is the 4-H livestock show. Open to contestants 8 to 18-years-old, this show is founded and run by 4-H and allows kids to work on their livestock project throughout the year before being judged at the fair. Livestock being judged include dairy cows, beef cows, goats, sheep, rabbits, swine and poultry. Though there are many different awards to be given out, the most important prize is that of self-worth, accomplishment and responsibility.

“It’s nice for [the kids] to be able to talk about what they do and what they are proud of,” said 4-H Health Wellness & Youth Educator Jamie Kleiss.

Come out and join the rest of Champaign County in celebrating, as Riggs said, “the original social networking.”