Community highlighted at historic fair

Fairbury Fair

Aug. 14-18

600 S. 3rd St.

Fairbury, Illinois

FAIRBURY, Ill. — The same year the nation was observing its centennial, a group of citizens in this Livingston County community gathered to form the Fairbury Union Agricultural Board.

The group purchased a 21-acre tract south of town as a location to host the first Fairbury Fair in 1877 and the event has been going strong ever since.

The fair has a longstanding tradition of highlighting the community with family-oriented entertainment, food, amusement rides, backyard barbecue and kids “Q” contest, and games.

Other activities include livestock and home economics exhibits and judging — and, of course, stock car racing Aug. 17 on the storied track that’s known by enthusiasts throughout the Midwest and beyond.

Known for drawing top-notch entertainment, this year’s fair will not disappoint as Sara Evans will take the stage Aug. 16. KayLyn Pace, a Nashville singer, songwriter and musician, will open for Evans.

During her career, Evans, a native of New Franklin, Missouri, has carved a successful career anchored by her insightful songwriting and warm, evocative voice.

The singer, record producer, actress and author has had five songs reach the No. 1 spot on the Billboard country songs chart and sold over 6 million albums. Nine additional singles reached Billboard’s top 10.

With such enduring hits as “Born to Fly,” “Restless,” “Suds in the Bucket,” “A Real Fine Place to Start,” “Perfect” and “A Little Bit Stronger,” she’s earned recognition as the fifth most played female artist at country radio and continues to be a force on the road with tour dates crisscrossing the country.

She has won accolades from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association and was also nominated for several other awards from both associations, including Female Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year honors.

Pace’s country rock music singles have been played on radio stations across the nation. She’s opened for Lee Brice, Pitbull, Chris Janson, Tyler Farr, Craig Morgan, Ashley Cooke and others.

Her boundless skill has taken Pace beyond the musical stage. Her screen debut in the 2022 Hallmark movie, “Cupid’s Christmas,” featured both her music and acting.

Details of the daily activities and times are available at www.thefairburyfair.com.