Experience the daily life of a farmer at fair exhibit

Sangamon County Fair

June 14-18

318 W. Birch St.

New Berlin, Illinois

NEW BERLIN, Ill. — The Prairie State was still in its teens and Vandalia was the capital when the first Sangamon County Fair exhibited some top-quality local livestock on Oct. 22, 1835.

Six horses, two sheep, a yearling heifer and bull calf earned the top honors at the show held on an area farm.

From those humble beginnings, the Sangamon County Fair has always held true to its roots and has since transformed into a five-day event that draws visitors from throughout central Illinois and beyond with its high-quality exhibits and entertainment.

The fair kicks off with swine judging at 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 14, and continues with a full slate of daily fun.

A unique feature each year at the fair is the Helping All Youth Learn Of Farming Techniques (HAYLOFT) exhibit, sponsored by the Sangamon County Farm Bureau, where parents and children can experience the daily life of a farmer. They will learn where their food comes from and what grains are in our foods by doing chores like gathering eggs and picking apples. They can also ride around on a tractor.

The Russel Miner Memorial Antique Tractor Drive rolls at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 17, presented by the Sangamon County Farm Bureau Young Leader Committee.

Nightly entertainment will be featured at the grandstand beginning Thursday, June 15, with the headliner Blackberry Smoke with Stoney LaRue.

Blackberry Smoke was formed in Atlanta in 2000. Their debut album, “Bad Luck Ain’t No Crime,” was released in 2003. Their second album “Little Piece of Dixie,” was released in 2009, and the album “You Hear Georgia” was released in 2021, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Americana/Folk Chart.

A rodeo, presented by Rogue Rodeo, will be held at the grandstand Friday, June 16.

Rogue Rodeo is presented by Jerry Beaumont and Stephanie Allgood, who state on their website: “Along with our little boys, we reside on a commercial cow/calf operation in Monroe County, Iowa. Athletes and sports enthusiasts turned rodeo competitors, we see the sport of rodeo from a different perspective than most. In 2017, we recognized the need for another good rodeo company in Iowa and started Rogue Rodeo. We’re known for producing fast-paced, exciting, family-friendly rodeos in a professional manner.”

The popular demolition derby will be the grandstand feature on June 17 with a payout in six categories.

The grandstand entertainment wraps up with the Illiana Pullers Association and Illinois Tractor Pulling Association-sanction tractor pull Sunday, June 18.

For a full schedule of daily events, go to www.sangcofair.com.