What you can expect from the 2026 Boone County Fair

Boone County Fair

Aug. 11-16

8847 Illinois Route 76

Belvidere, Illinois

BELVIDERE, Ill. — The Boone County Fair Association announced a change of pace for Grandstand entertainment Saturday at the Boone County Fair.

The D&D Pro Rodeo is bringing the North American Shoot Out Series for two rodeos on Aug. 15.

The Boone County Fair runs for six days, from Tuesday to Sunday, Aug. 11-16.

Other exciting Grandstand shows include the popular Next Level Professional Bull Riding Show on Friday and the two Demolition Derby Shows on Sunday.

Thursday will be packed with Tractor and Truck pulls of all types running all day and evening. Wednesday evening will feature the popular Mexican band, Nueva Raza.

And, of course, kicking off the week is the ever-popular Miss Boone County Fair Queen and Little Miss Pageants on Tuesday evening.

Free shows on the grounds performing three times a day include: The Ready Go Dog Show, The Timberworks Lumberjack Show, Chainsaw Wood Carving, First Bite Fishing Tank and Miss Make Believe Show, along with Magic Mike strolling the grounds daily.

There is also free entertainment and live music daily starting at noon at the Entertainment Pavilion just east of Exhibit Hall #1. And there are three Exhibit Halls filled with vendors of all types plus hundreds of vendors including food vendors throughout the fairgrounds.

The fair also features some of the best livestock shows in Illinois, including ponies, dairy and beef cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, goats, rabbits and the 50th anniversary of the popular draft horse shows.

The Boone County Fair also has thousands of people exhibiting their home economics, ag and art creations in the Non-Livestock Exhibit Hall. Everything from quilts to photography to wedding cakes to glowers are on display for all to enjoy.

Other free attractions include a huge antique tractor display, the 4-H Wee Farm petting zoo, the Grange museum, oxen exhibit and the 50th anniversary of bringing the Reed one-room schoolhouse to the fairgrounds.

And, if you’re looking for some thrills, head over to Skinner’s large midway featuring rides of all types for all ages plus many fun games where you might win a giant stuffed animal.

Tickets for all the Grandstand shows along with daily and season passes will go on sale starting July 11, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the fairgrounds ticket office at Gate 1.

For more hours and details, go to boonecountyfair.com.