Boone County Fair is a popular event held at Boone County Fairgrounds in Belvidere, Illinois, every August. It features a beauty pageant, a parade, kids' activities, diverse entertainment, merchandise vendors, livestock and agriculture exhibitors, various competitions, midway rides, pedal pulls, live music, games, contests, tractor and demo derby, and a large variety of food.
One of the most popular fairs in the state, Boone County Fair, saw 209,439 attendees in 2021. About 45,000 people visit the fair every day. Dating back to 1855, it is also one of the oldest in the region. Boone County Fair is a large community fundraiser, benefiting the 4-H clubs, the Lions, Cosmos, Boy Scouts, Church groups, County Fire departments, and various community projects.
Live Music
Live music is one of the highlights of the fair. The fair's lineup includes country music stars like Scotty McCreery, Greylan James, Hallie, Galaxy, Dale Rhoad and the CrossRoads, Max Armstrong, Chip Messiner, Detour Band, and dozens of other artists. In the past, the fair's stage hosted such stars as Neal McCoy, Dale Rhode & the CrossRoads, Grass Attack, Audrey Fontana Band, and many others.
Entertainment Events
The fair is a great chance to explore many agricultural exhibits and displays, like the 4-H Poultry, Goat, Horse & Pony, Rabbit shows, and other open livestock shows. The program features several races, such as Harness & Colt Racing and ATV Racing. No fair program takes place without traditional carnival rides and Boone County is not an exception with its exciting selection of attractions.
Other highlights include Next Level Bull Riding, an Antique Tractor Parade, a Karaoke Contest, a Lip Sync Contest, a Talent Contest, and much more. This year, you'll also witness a thrilling Monster Truck Spectacular, which will keep you on the edge of your seat with its threatening roaring and high-speed jumps.
Schedule & Hours
Gates are open from 8 am to 11 pm, from Tuesday to Saturday, but exhibit halls operate from 10 am to 10 pm. Carnival rides function from 12 pm to 11 pm. On August 6 at 7:30 pm, stop by the Grandstand to witness the Queen of the Fair and Little Miss pageants. The Antique Tractor Parade kicks off at 5 pm on August 7th, followed by the Monster Truck Spectacular at 7 pm. Several Tractor Pull performances take place on August 8th at 10 am, 1:30 pm, and 6:30 pm. Scotty McCreery's concert begins at 7 pm on August 10th.
Tickets
While you need to purchase a general admission ticket, some events also require separate tickets. Tickets to the Monster Truck Spectacular cost $25, while admission to Scotty McCreery's concert varies from $25 to $45. Children aged ten and under can enter for free. You can buy season passes for $25 online and $40 on-site.
