The 2016 Lake County Fair

By: Jonathan Jones 07/21/2016

The smell of funnel cakes in the air can only mean one thing: the 88th annual Lake County Fair is just around the corner in your 2016 Lake County Fair Guide! The 2016 Lake County Fair runs from Wednesday, July 27 through Sunday, July 31.

The fair features something for every member of the family. See pro motocross in action, enjoy the Chicago Flower and Garden Show, watch a rodeo or demolition derby, take in live music, and experience the midway rides. Below, you’ll find tips, general information and more so that you’re ready for a fun-filled day at the fair. Tickets are $10 for adults, kiddies ages five and under, active military, veterans and families with valid military ID and seniors are $5 per day. Active Military members in uniform are free.

But let’s be honest here – you’re not going to be at the 2016 Lake County Fair for just a day. You might want to get your hands on the Family Fair Pack (2 adults and two child tix) for $25. An adult season pass is $35, while the child/senior season pass is $15. Continue here to purchase tickets online

So without further ado, here is your 2016 Lake County Fair Guide.

Hours, Parking & Such

So there’s a lot of hours to remember here – but we here at Visit Lake County do our darndest to keep you up today. On Wed-Thurs, July 27-28, the Fair is open from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m., while Fri-Sat the gates are open from 10 a.m. – midnight. The final day the park opens at the same time and closes at 6 p.m.

Can you get in earlier? You bet your bottom dollar because the rooster crows early in the livestock barns. Wednesday-Saturday, July 27-30 from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., and on Sunday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Expo Hall hours open as follows: Wed-Sat 10 a.m-9 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

*Deep Breath* finally – the Midway Rides open up at Noon each day.

Now since we’ve figured out the 411 about hours, let’s figure out a place to put your car after driving to festive occasion. If you’d like to have some suds or vino, you and the family should catch the free shuttle bus. Here are the details as follows:

Free Shuttle Bus service is offered by FIRST STUDENT BUS COMPANY

Round-trip rides from the Prairie Crossing Train Station to the Main Gate during these hours:

Friday         7/29         3:00pm-Midnight

Saturday   7/30          3:00pm-Midnight

Sunday      7/31          1:00pm-6:00

Otherwise you can drive and there’s plenty of grass and asphalt to park your horse.

2016 Lake County Fair Fav’s

To us 2016 Lake County Fair veterans, we know what we and arrive, rejoice and repeat. But for those of you who are new to the 2016 Lake County Fair family, Visit Lake County – we will take you under our wing.

What’s on the agenda: carnival rides, midway games, blue-ribbon competitions, motorsports, live tunes, the Miss Lake County Fair Queen Pageant, a petting zoo, bingo, rodeo, demo derbies, scrumptious fair eats, mouth-watering suds, talent competitions (like battle of the bands, talent and dance shows), a circus and a slew of surprises  and adventures at an arm’s reach.

Your pals from VLC will be in attendance as we have a day called Visit Lake County Day that features KeyLime Cove, Lambs Farm, 102.3 WXLC Radio remote broadcast, trivia and the ever favorite old fashioned pie eating contest hosted by Mike Caplan.

Our friends at Volo Auto Museum plan to bring some sleek cars that include the Batmobile and the actual screen-used Subaru WRX STI driven by Paul Walker in Furious 7.

What’s at the Midway? Our favorite carnival rides, barnyard races (Ms. Piggy, Babe, Orson and a sounder of swine do a trot off), and as said earlier – the petting zoo.

Don’t Stop the Music

Here are some of the bands and musicians you can sing, boogie, cut a rug, tap your foot, shake, rave, disco, jump, jive, wail, bop, jive, jig or whatever way you like to rhythmically (or non-rhythmically) express yourself through interpretive dance.

Wednesday, July 27

• Rosehill Revival (Allman Brothers Tribute)
• Svelte Bobby & the Soul Fixers
• The Whiskey Bends

Thursday, July 28

• Suburban Cowboys
• Georgia Rae Family Band
• Fun Times DJ

Friday, July 29

• Bella Cain
• The Waukegan Band
• Rachel Lee
• Who’s Who
• Samadhi Vibe
• Zydeco Voodoo

Saturday, July 30

• Libido Funk Circus
• Kashmir (Led Zeppelin Tribute
• Mandy Z & Rural Route One
• The Westerlees
• Smooth Operators
• The Apuli Brothers
• Chuckeroo & the Fabulous Memories
• Dallison & Friends

Sunday, July 31

• Shining Star (Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute)
• Hurricane Reggae Band
• Heather Moran Band
• Slam Funk
• Six Speed Tranny

Motosports and the Rodeo

Fuel Your Passion for Revved-up Action

The excitement of Motocross andhead-to-head competition is alive and well at the Lake County Fair. Motorsports enthusiasts can enjoy the nonstop action of Motocross racing, marvel at the brute force of a track & tractor pull and witness the organized chaos and destruction of a demolition derby.

Ladies and Gentlemen – Start your Engines! Wed-Fri & Sun

Stadium Motocross presented by Woodstock MX – Wednesday July 27; 6 p.m.

• Woodstock Motocross Racing (sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association) will make Lake County Fair the first stop on their summer tour
• Racing class divisions include 450 Pro, B&C; 250 Pro, B&C; 50 Junior & Senior; 65 Junior & senior; 85 Junior & Senior

Truck & Tractor Pull – Thursday, July 28; 7 p.m.

• Midwest Truck and Tractor Puller Association (MTTPA) sanctioned event featuring vehicle classes: Pro street diesel, street diesel, modified tractors, pro street gas truck, 9500#Lite/Combo
• For web schedules visit midwestpullers.com

Night of Destruction Demolition Event – Friday, July 29; 7 p.m.

• School bus racing, four-cylinder racing, truck racing & car racing plus, figure 8 style

Crash Fest: Demolition Derby – Sunday, July 31; 1 p.m.

• Demo & Ladies Derby, Compact Car Derby and Extreme Trailer Racing

Rippin’ and Ridin’ in the Rodeo

A unique 2016 Lake County Fair event, the professional rodeo gives aspiring cow-people a glimpse of life out west in Grayslake. In addition to riding competitions, various cowboy demonstrations will provide entertainment for the entire family.

Pro Rodeo Stampede presented by Big Hat Rodeo – Saturday, July 30; 2 & 7 p.m.

• Rodeo events include: bareback bronc riding, bull riding, cowgirl’s barrel racing, cowgirl’s breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping and tie down roping

Livestock Galore

Livestock lovers, this year, hundreds of animals will be at the fair including goats, chickens, beef cattle, pigs, turkeys, dairy cattle, sheep, rabbits, horses as well as a few surprises! Take a tour of the livestock barn to see the animals up close and meet their caretakers who work year-round to prepare the animals for the fair. The livestock barns are open daily.  Be sure to check out the daily schedule for a complete listing of competitions, demonstrations, and activities. Events on the schedule include:

• Livestock judging
• A costume contest
• Master showman competition
• Crazy cow relay races
• Small pet demonstrations
• Livestock auction

For more information about the 2016 Lake County Fair, Continue here. Happy 88 years and enjoy the premiere fest of the year!