Lake County Fair Thrives for More Than 150 Years
events, lake county fair, recreation,
The Lake County Fair must be doing something right. After all, it has been a popular annual event in Crown Point since 1852.
The entertainment-filled, community-wide celebration is staged at the spacious Lake County Fairgrounds every August. The Lake County Agricultural Society has organized and hosted the fair during each of its 157 years.
Every individual fair has its own theme and flavor, but the main goal each year is to showcase agriculture that continues to be prevalent in the lives of Lake County residents – all while providing good family fun. Specific attractions include a huge carnival midway, petting zoo, large exhibit buildings with interesting activities, horse shows each day, a milking parlor, chick hatchery and fish pond.
There is also a demolition derby night, 4-H Club shows, a grand fireworks display, racing pigs, covered wagon rides for kids and free live musical entertainment on Heritage Stage and in the Showcase Tent.
Admission prices to the fair are very reasonable, and children ages 9 and under get in for free. There is also a free Senior Citizens Day that offers health screenings to seniors, and a Special Abilities Day that features rides to invited special-needs groups. The 2009 event takes place Aug. 7-16, while the 2010 event is slated for Aug. 6-15.
As for the Lake County Fairgrounds itself, it also hosts a number of other interesting shows throughout the year. They include a Crown Point Chamber of Commerce Antique Show in the spring and fall, as well as an annual pet parade and a Cobe Cup car excursion that is a re-enactment of a momentous race that took place in Crown Point in 1909.
Story by Kevin Litwin
