The 2010 Iroquois County Fair will be held July 14-19, 2010.
The Iroquois County Fair Talent Show is scheduled for Friday, July 16, 2010!
Plans are underway to mark the 50th anniversary of the Iroquois County Fair at the Crescent City location. A special history booklet is being planned to mark the half century of progress! Included will be the ever popular Iroquois County Fair Talent Show history. The Talent Show committee is compiling a list of ALL the Iroquois County Fair talent show winners from the past, dating back to the talent show's beginnings in the 1970s. The committee is also compiling a list of ALL the Iroquois County youth who have placed at the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs State Talent Show held each January. IF you are a past winner in the Iroquois County Fair Talent Show or the state show, please contact Jody Munsterman at 683-2628 by June 7th to be included in the historical booklet to mark this year's half century of progress of the Iroquois County Fair at the Crescent City location!
In 1987, eleven acres were purchased adjacent to the Iroquois County Fairgrounds by the Iroquois County Agricultural and 4-H Club Fair Association. The site was a former C.C.C. Camp and privately owned at the time. The grounds were cleared and leveled by Marlin, Lynn, and Randy Wilken, Jake Salm, Ira Claire, Loren Trimble and Fair President Marvin Perzee. The water lines were installed by Leveque Brothers Drainage Company. Woodworth Electric was hired to install the electric pedestals. On the weekend prior to the opening of the Fair, Kenny Eckert received a call canceling the order for the pedestals. Parts were located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dan Gillespie, a former 4-H member, owned a trucking company and was unloading 200 miles from where the parts were found. He offered to pick the parts up and deliver them to the fairgrounds. After delivery, four hay racks of parts for the electrical pedestals were set up. An assembly line of fair board members and volunteers worked around the clock and Kenny Eckert of Woodworth Electric had all of them installed and working for the 1987 Fair. Initially, 200 camper spots were erected and 50 additional spots were added at a later date. During Fair week all of the spots are rented and a waiting list of 50 requests are on file, according to Secretary-Treasurer Sam and Debbie Ochs. Previous renters have priority on their spots from year to year. On several occasions, divorces have caused a few disputes.
The camp ground income has become a major factor in funding for the annual Iroquois County Fair and for the operational expenses of the 80 acre physical plant.
Off-season income from camper rallies such as: Three National Pow Wows; two National Square Dance Camper groups - one bringing in over 500 units; The Winnebago Itasca Travelers Illinois Indians; Good Sams; Holiday Ramblers; Air Stream; Avion; Escapees; and various other groups have afforded the Fair the additional funding necessary to pay their annual expenses. County business owners such as gas stations, restaurants, caterers, repair shops, grocery stores etc have all benefited from their visits.
Before the Fair opens its' gate each year for the annual event, it will have over $250,000 in expenses for premium offerings, insurance, electricity and every day operational expenses. All fair board members receive no renumeration for their services and expenses. They even buy their own season passes at fair time. Additional costs for sound, entertainment, publicity, printing, rest room upkeep, garbage and manure removal and equipment are incurred during fair week.
The fair board gives free passes to all Iroquois County 4-H members, pays for the sound, electricity, insurance, judges, facility expenses and the cost incurred at the livestock auction. The extension office provides personnel for the 4-H program. Funding for 4-H premiums have been appropriated through the Department of Agriculture for over sixty years. In 2010, future funding is uncertain.
For over 100 years the State of Illinois has offered reimbursement to not-for-profit Agricultural Societies such as the Iroquois County Agricultural and 4-H Club Fair Association for their premiums paid to the producers. Statutory provisions provide for a 66 2/3 % payback on every dollar paid out. In the past seven years, the fair is receiving only 27 cents on the dollar and rehabilitation claims have been cut by an additional 50%
Volunteer fair board members have been forced to work year round to raise revenue by off season rental of the camp ground and buildings. How long the Iroquois County Fair will be able to maintain their current level of operations will depend on future reimbursement from the State, local support and gate attendance. If you enjoy quality cuts of meat and produce, believe in the opportunities afforded our youth, realize the educational value of the County Fair and value the traditions of a family-friendly fair then please attend the annual event July 14 - 19, 2010.
If you share our concerns for the future of the fair, contact your local Representatives, Senators and the Governor of the State of Illinois.