We're going to be 'Great in 2008!'

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The 152nd Bureau County Fair will go into the history books as being wet ... very wet. Plans are already underway for the 153rd fair which will be “Great in 2008!”

In two weeks, members of the Bureau County Fair Board will travel to Springfield to the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs annual convention. At this time, the contracts will be signed for the country show entertainer and the other grandstand shows. Many different carnivals and entertainment promoters for concerts, demo derbies, tractor pulls and rodeos will be there trying to schedule their acts during next year’s fair season.

We are proud of the free entertainment that is offered on the grounds each day during the fair. Over the past few years, you could see alligators, sharks, bears, leopards, magicians, artists and acrobats. You can’t get that type of varied entertainment anywhere else in the county. We will announce the 2008 entertainment lineup in early spring, and you can bet that there will be something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

One of the biggest events at the state fair convention will be the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant. Miss Bureau County Fair, Abigail Buysse, will represent Bureau County in the pageant, where she will be competing against 67 other queens from across Illinois. Sue Von Holten, the fair’s pageant director, and Abigail will have a busy four days at the pageant.

Abigail will have a one-on-one interview with the judges and will also give a one-minute speech in front of the group. Following the interviews, she will change out of her business suit and will compete in the evening gown and swimsuit competition. Good Luck, Abigail!

The calendar of events at the fairgrounds is starting to fill up for the year. You can check the fair’s Web page at www.bureaucountyfair.com for monthly events.

Today, Special Olympics will be holding their Winter Games at the fairgrounds. Come out and watch the cross country skiing and snowshoeing competitions. The Sauk Trail Gun Collectors Show and Sale returns the last full weekend of January and March.

You can get all sorts of deals at the Second Sunday Flea Market. They will be held on Jan. 13, Feb. 10 and April 13. All types of items will be sold, from new to antiques.

Two Huge Winter Garage Sales will be held on March 8 and Nov. 8. The “More on 34” 100 Mile Flea Market returns on Father’s Day weekend, June 14 and 15.

You don’t have to wait until the fair to see animals at the fairgrounds. You can see all sizes of rabbits at a show on Feb. 3. Another pigeon show will be held in November, and Angus cattle will be shown later in the fall. 4-H Fair returns in July, and the 2008 Bureau County Fair will be Aug. 20–24.

A new event is planned for the fairgrounds that promises to be exciting for the whole family. The Illinois High School Rodeo Association will present a two-day rodeo May 31 and June 1 in the McCutchan Horse Arena on the north side of the fairgrounds. More than 100 high school age competitors will compete in nine different events including barrel racing, pole bending, saddle and bareback bronc riding, goat tying, roping and bull riding on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. More information will be released as plans are confirmed.

The Bureau County Speedway Racers Swap meet will be Feb. 23. They have changed their race night to Sunday for the 2008 season with racing beginning on April 20 and continuing through Aug. 10.

If you are planning an event, please consider using the buildings at the fairgrounds. Improvements have been made to the Allen building recently including ceiling fans, new paint and new tables, and the rest rooms and kitchen have been remodeled to make it more suitable for wedding receptions, business meetings, parties, auctions and other events. To schedule an event call Kathy Costerisan (815) 875-2606 for more information.

Kathy Costerisan is a representative for the Bureau County Fairgrounds.