See you at the fairgrounds!
The calendar of events at the Bureau County Fairgrounds is filling up with all sorts of events, from traditional to unique. Each of the events has special terminology that is particular to their own activity. Some of the phrases and names you might hear at the fairgrounds would include; the Canton of Athelington; Chinese Owls, Frills and Modenas; Huacaya and Suri, headers, healers and breakaway roping.
The newest event to be added to the fairgrounds calendar is the Society of Creative Anachronism Rites of Spring by the Canton of Athelington which will be held April 10. You are invited out to watch their members dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, as they have archery tournaments, battles with medieval weapons and prepare a great feast.
All four exhibit halls will be filled with Huacaya and Suri again on May 1 and 2 when the Interstate 80 Alpacafest returns for the second year. The names Huacaya and Suri refer to the type of alpaca. There are hundreds of animals expected from several states for this show. Items made from the alpaca’s fleece will be on display and for sale. In addition, an exhibition of shearing is also planned. Come experience their large expression-filled eyes and their soft bleating sounds as you walk through their exhibit hall. It is a very unique experience.
Another event that will be fun for the whole family is the Illinois High School Rodeo on June 5 and 6. Watch these high school-age cowboys and cowgirls as they rope and ride and race their way across the rodeo arena. Some of the events they will be competing in will be bull riding, steer wrestling, breakaway roping, saddle bronc, pole bending and barrel racing.
Chinese owls aren’t the large round-eyed bird of prey that you would picture. They are a breed of pigeon that will be shown at the fairgrounds in November. The pigeons that are shown at the Mid American Pigeon Club show aren’t your barnyard variety of birds. There are fantails and frills, rollers and some that are as big as small chickens. Several hundred birds from across the Midwest will be shown on Nov. 6.
Each visit you make to an event at the fairgrounds this year can be an educational experience. Many of the exhibitors are happy to explain the details of their particular event to you, and what the terminology means. You will be surprised at what you can learn in one visit to a new event.
Traditional events still remain on the Fair calendar. The 2nd Sunday Flea Market will be held on Valentine’s Day, April 11 and on Mother’s Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with antiques, crafts and new and slightly used items.
Bargain shoppers wait all winter for the Huge Winter Garage Sale which will be held on March 13. All three buildings will be filled with all kinds of treasures. See www.bureaucountyfair.com for a flyer to sign up to sell or stop at Sunday’s Flea Market and pick one up.
If you have larger items you would like to sell, the fair will be holding a consignment auction on March 6. Items that can be sold include garden equipment, household items, furniture, and antiques. Call Dave at (815) 878-7035 to list your item for sale.
The Sauk Trail Gun Club show returns the last weekends in March, October and November. New and used guns, ammo and related items are sold and traded at this event. The Starved Rock Area Hamfest will return on June 6 with ham radio and computer items for sale.
The Beef and Ag Days dinner returns on July 17. There will be a Meat Goat Show on July 17 and 18 with Boer goats coming from several states. 4-H Fair follows the next week with thousands of exhibits by the talented youth who make up the Bureau County 4-H program.
This is just a partial listing of events that is happening at the Bureau County Fairgrounds this year. We still have room to book your event, from wedding receptions to corporate meetings; just give me a call for more information.
Plans are still underway for the 155th annual Bureau County Fair which will be held from Aug. 25-29. We can’t release the name of the country show entertainer yet, but be sure to check out our Web site as we will soon. Some of the items in the planning stage are a talent show, queen pageant, tractor pulls, elephant encounter and a fervent plea for a week without rain. See you at the fair!
Kathy Costerisan is a representative of the Bureau County Fairgrounds.
