6 Things You Can't-Miss at the 94th Annual Lake County Fair
By: Jonathan Jones 07/18/2023
The smell of funnel cakes in the air can only mean one thing: the 94th annual Lake County Fair is just around the corner! "Summer's Best Fest" has returned for its ninth decade (plus four) of family fun at the Grayslake facility.
From livestock barns and competitive exhibits to motocross and demo derbies, from live musicians to Lake County local talent and from fabulous food to thrilling Midway rides, the 94th annual Lake County Fair has fun for the entire family.
The fair is located on Illinois Route 83, so it would be perfect to add to your Lake County Road Trip itinerary. The annual box social runs for five days from July 26-30.
Let's take a look at the top six can't-miss activities at the 94th annual Lake County Fair, as the countdown to a handful of days. Make it an entire weekend too by staying at the Lake County Fairground and Event's Center's preferred hotel at DoubleTree by Hilton Libertyville-Mundelein.
Demo Derbies, Motocross and Monster Truck Show
Fuel your passion for revved-up action and get a taste of the wild west with the demolition derbies, Monster Truck Show and the Pro Rodeo Stampede in the Grandstand. Smash enthusiasts can experience the nonstop action while marveling at the brute force of organized chaos and destruction of a demolition derby and Monster Truck Show by Monster Truck Racing League. The smash fest or monster/ demo derbies feature cars getting totaled by even bigger cars! We'll see on Friday and Sunday what car last the longest as a variety of vehicle classes bully each other at the Grandstand like power wheels, hot wheels, lawnmowers, school buses, trucks and many more types of vehicles. Attendees can view cars playing a smashing role in each other’s destruction. Don't forget about the motocross. Young daredevils will compete on a course featuring a variety of obstacles such as jumps, berms and whoops. Watch as fearless riders push the limits of speed, skill, and gravity. Soar through the air, conquer treacherous obstacles, and unleash jaw-dropping aerial maneuvers. This heart-stopping extravaganza will have you craving the thrill of every jump, every turn, and every twist. The motocross show is a two-wheeled spectacle that promises an exhilarating experience. It will ignite your passion for extreme sports like never before.
The Monster Truck Show is Thursday and Friday, July 27-28 at 7 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., while the Motocross occurs Wednesday-Thursday, July 26-27 at 7 p.m. The Demo-Derby or "Night of Thrills" is Wednesday, July 26 at 6 p.m.
Pro Bull Riding
The Pro Bull Riding Stampede takes place on Saturday, July 27 at 2 and 7 p.m. The rodeo presented by Big Hat Rodeo has attendees exclaiming “Yeehaw!” as these cowgirls and boys demonstrate bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, saddle-bronc riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling and so much more. These rodeo professionals aim to, “make every performance the wildest, most exciting and fun it can be.”
Timberworks Lumberjack Show and The Canine Stars Stunt Show
The Lake County Fair has been carving out innovation for years. That's why the Timberworks Lumberjack Show returns to the Grayslake staple. Logrolling, axe throwing, speed carving and climbing are just a few of the featured performances in this woodsy event. These connoisseurs of timber utilize traditional and modern lumberjack techniques as they also mix in a touch of comedy and history lessons. This is a can't miss, especially when they begin lumber sculpting.
Experience the exhilaration of watching four-legged creatures fly in the Canine Stars Stunt Show where nationally-ranked jumping dogs run down a 40-foot dock and jump into a pool of water doing air stunts. The event also features frisbee freestyle routines, high jumping, agility, flyball racing and other extreme dog sports..
Timberworks Lumberjack Show runs three times daily: Wednesday-Saturday, July 26-29 at 3:30, 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., as well as Sunday, 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. The Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show runs July 26-30 at 1, 5 and 7 p.m.
Live Music
A county fair is incomplete without great music from local and regional artists. With five days of festivities, there must be myriad slaps to the party popping. This year's music lineup has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a weekday performance, an evening of rock or a weekend concert. No matter what day you visit, you will nod along to the tunes as you sit back and enjoy a cold beer. Continue scrolling to get a taste of who's gracing the Grayslake stage:
- The Dixcn Bandits July 26 at 8 p.m.
- Chapel Hill Band July 27 at 5 p.m.
- Svelte Bobby and the Soulfixers on July 27 at 5 p.m.
- The Blooze Brothers on July 27 at 8 p.m.
- Brass on Fire on July 28 at 6:30 p.m.
- Six Speed Tranny on July 28 at 9:30 p.m.
- Zydeco Voodoo on July 29 at 4:30 p.m.
- Chicago Latin Groove July 29 at 6 p.m.
- John King July 29 at 9 p.m.
- Judson Brown Band July 29 at 9:30 p.m.
- Brass from the Past July 30 at 5 p.m.
- Topixsplosion July 30 at 6 p.m.
- and so much more...
Midway Carnival Rides and Games
There's no such thing as a county fair without the Midway Carnival and Rides. Hold hands with your significant other on the Ferris wheel, ride a thrilling rollercoaster with the squad, take a safer demolition derby with the fam in the bumper cars are all staple county fair activities. Want to win that big stuffed monkey by throwing a dart and popping the balloon, or maybe your fancy is Bozo buckets? Whatever your business is at the Midway, it's sure to bring long-lasting memories.
Unique Fair Fare
The aromas waft through the air as your nose smells hints of mouth-watering funnel cakes to the beef of the foot-long corn dogs to the delicious popcorn to the candy apples and so much more. Your taste buds will thank you for this trip to Grayslake. Treat your belly to unique eats at the annual fair. The list below just scratches the surface. Don't forget - the Grayslake staple unveiled Food Truck Alley featuring the land of lakes foodie vehicles.
- Funnel Cakes
- Deep Fried Oreos
- Loaded Bucket of Fries
- Corn Dogs
- Cotton Candy
- Candied Apples
- Elephant Ears
- Lemonade Shakeup
- Corn on a Cob
- and more...
Other Things You Can't-Miss at the 94th Annual Lake County Fair
Of course, there are a plethora of breathtaking, mouthwatering, critter-petting, dance-moving endeavors you can embark on, so here are a few honorable mentions top six things you can’t miss at the 94th annual Lake County Fair list.
- Flower Hour
- The Pic Races
- Kidbucks Game Show
- Measner Magic Show
- Beer Tent Bingo
- K9 Demonstration
- Unique fair fare
- 4-H Demonstrations/ AG Adventure
- Miss Lake County Fair Queen Pagent
- Penny & Porkchop's FAIRy-Tail Wedding
- Bloody Mary Bingo
