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Preview of the Champaign County Fair
5:00 pm Jul 21 - by Alexandra Morgan – buzz Writer
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Champaign County Fairgrounds »Address: Coler Avenue & Fairview Avenue Urbana, IL 61801
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“Tradition,” responded Joan Cole of the Champaign County Fair Association when asked what is so important about the Champaign county fair. “It’s something that goes really far back.”
Indeed, the Champaign County Fair is steeped in tradition - this year marks Champaign county’s 157th fair. The fair, which begins on July 24 and runs until August 1, hosts a variety of contests, entertainment, and food vendors.
Top attractions include tractor pulls, horse shows, talent shows, cook-offs, demolition derbies and harness racing. Each day also features a special theme. Friday kicks off with Military Appreciation Day , followed by Family Day, Livestock Day, Democrat Day, Republican Day, 4-H Day and finally Youth Day. Fair-goers can also enjoy a myriad of homemade concoctions, from pie and preserves to beef and pork. Contests for the best dish attract local cooks to try their hand in the contests, some of which include cash prizes. The Farm Bureau Grill Off has categories for both pork and beef and includes prizes of up to $100. Miss Champaign County Fair Queen, who is picked before each fair at the Champaign County Fair Queen Pageant, hosts the fair.
“This is something that is traditional for agricultural communities to participate in,” said Cole, noting that many of the contestants for the competitions come from the outlying farming areas of the county. Cole also notes that residents of Champaign proper enjoy the fair as well, often as a unique opportunity to see something they wouldn’t in everyday life. “For a lot of people in town this might be the only opportunity to see a live [farm] animal.” Said Cole.
But whether people are coming for competitive reasons, recreational reasons, or both the fair offers an opportunity to enjoy live entertainment, home-cooked food, and old-fashioned community spirit.
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