Kane County Fair ready to open Wednesday

The smell of dust, sweat, farm animals and funnel cakes isn't all that will fill the air at the Kane County Fair starting at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

New this year will be the Odor Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest.

Kids 5 to 15 are invited to wear their "rottenest, smelliest sneakers" to compete for the Golden Sneaker Award, cash prizes and a basket of Odor Eaters products.

Kane County Fair Board President Larry Breon of St. Charles, who was drafted to be one of the of the volunteer judges, says he has no idea how he'll help choose the winner.

"I guess it will have to be on-the-job training," he said.

Would-be competitors can present their fragrant footwear at 2:30 p.m. Thursday near the Miller Lite Soundstage.

Also new this year will be a speed show, billed as a competition and Western horse show. The event is set for 5 p.m. Wednesday in the grandstand. Bull riding and the Big Hat Rodeo will be presented Friday and Saturday.

Other grandstand "thrill events" include the International Truck Pull Championship at 7 p.m. Thursday, and the Smash Em Bash Em Competition at 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday.

Last year's attendance of about 60,000 was tempered by hot weather, but Breon thinks this year will be better.

"The good news is this is not the first hot weather we've had this year," he said. "And we have over 50,000 square feet of air-conditioned space where people can sit down and cool off."

The Miller Lite Soundstage will feature a variety of musical acts. Fan favorite American English, a Beatles tribute band, will close the fair with a concert at 3 p.m. Sunday.

On Saturday, talent show winners will perform at 3 p.m. They are: Eric Luminais and Emily Schmid of Geneva; Sydney Poss of North Aurora; and Jamie Ann Dowat, Ashley Heska and Alex Vonderhaar of St. Charles.

Kane County's agricultural roots will be evident with 4-H events taking place daily, including livestock judging, a milking derby, Blue Ribbon sale and awards show.

Other events include games, carnival rides, a beer tent, petting zoo, a magic show and Swifty Swine Racing Pigs.

For Wednesday only, admission is $5 and people 62 and older get in free. Admission is $8 daily, with children younger than 5 admitted free. A season pass is $20, and admission to the daily grandstand thrill event is $10 to $12, although the horse speed show is free. Carnival pricing specials are offered daily.

For details, call (630) 584-6926 or visit kanecountyfair.com.
[Source: dailyherald.com]