FREEPORT, Ill. — Lawn Mower Races and Tough Truck Challenge will entertain those attending the Stephenson County Fair on Saturday, July 31.
“This event is new to me, but we did it years ago,” said Lori Tessendorf, executive manager of the Stephenson County Fair. “This is an event the public can register to participate in.”
The grandstand show will start at 6 p.m.
“The lawn mowers will race around the track at 50 to 60 mph,” Tessendorf said. “The trucks will be going around obstacles and jumping over mounds of dirt.”
Special events will be held at the grandstand each night of the fair that is set for July 27-31. The Midwest Summer Nationals Tractor and Truck Pull will be held on July 27-28 starting at 5 p.m. both nights. The Demolition Derby is planned for 6 p.m. Friday, July 30.
“Youth and Family Night on Thursday evening is going to be a little different this year,” Tessendorf said. “We are still in the planning stage, but we are hoping to do scrambles, mutton busting and a celebrity showmanship contest.”
This year for the livestock shows, the 4-H competition will be held on the day prior to the start of the fair, Monday, July 26. The FFA show is set for Tuesday, July 27, and the Junior Open and Open livestock exhibitors will compete Wednesday through Saturday.
Local bands are scheduled throughout the fair at the Entertainment Tent.
“One of the highlights is the Hoo Haven Wild Bird Rehabilitation group that does rehabilitation for hawks, owls and wildlife,” Tessendorf said. “They will do a two-hour demonstration starting at 3 p.m. and all the events in this tent are free.”
The Great Lakes Timber Show will do three free shows daily during the fair, south of the Foresight Building. Additional activities available to fairgoers include axe throwing and an escape room.
“Fabulous Faces does some incredible face painting,” Tessendorf said. “I’m not just talking about a little flower on your cheek. They do a whole animal face.”
On Saturday, a Kiddie Tractor Pull is planned in the Foresight Commercial Building. Sponsored by the Stephenson County Farm Bureau Young Leaders, registration is at 12:30 p.m. with the pull starting at 1 p.m.
The Greater Freeport Partnership is sponsoring a Weekday Lunch Special at the fair from Tuesday through Friday.
“You can come to the fair at 11 a.m., pay your admission and if you leave before 1 p.m., the admission cost is refunded,” Tessendorf said. “It’s our free lunch special.”
A special Throwback Thursday admission cost is $2 per person with kids 5 years old and under free.
“We are hoping our food vendors will also do Throwback Thursday and offer special prices on their food items,” Tessendorf said.
For the other four days of the fair, admission is $5 per person and kids 5 and under are free.
For more information about the Stephenson County Fair, go to www.stephensoncountyfair.org or call 815-235-2918.
Stephenson County Fair
July 27-31
2250 S. Walnut Road, Freeport, Illinois