Family fun at county fair

The Kane County Fair returns next week with its annual promise of food, farm animals, live entertainment and other fun. Beyond the food vendors and beer garden, free ongoing daily activities include kids’ games, magic shows, 4H competitions, and a petting zoo and elephant exhibit. Use our festival round-up below as your go-to guide for information and schedules for rides and live entertainment.

A rodeo clown entertains during the Big Hat Rodeo at the 2007 Kane County Fair. STAFF PHOTO BY STEVE BITTINGER

 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15
Rides
There’s something for everyone with thrill rides, family rides, and kiddie rides.
WHEN Noon to 11 p.m.
COST 10 rides for $10 per person

Chase Daniels Western Star Band
The band earned the honor of “Country Entertainer of the Year” in 2007 at the Chicago Music Awards for its mix of country classics and upbeat country rock.
WHERE Miller Lite Sound Stage
WHEN 3 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission

Michael Heaton
This singer/songwriter can play just about anything from rock to country and pop, with songs that touch upon real life issues to which the audience can relate.
WHERE Miller Lite Sound Stage
WHEN 5:30 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission

U.S. FMX National Championship Series
Come experience exhilarating stunts as some of the best compete in round two of the Freestyle Motocross Championship Series. Watch as the nation’s top riders try to defend their titles of extreme sports champions, completing spectacular mid-air maneuvers and gravity-defying back flips.
WHERE Grandstand
WHEN 7:30 p.m.
COST $10 with fair admission

Hi Infidelity
This popular west suburban band is bound to draw a crowd for its covers of classic rock performers, such as REO Speedwagon, Journey and Bon Jovi.
WHERE Miller Lite Sound Stage
WHEN 8 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission

THURSDAY, JULY 16
Rides: Customer appreciation day
Get your admission to the fair and the rides in one shot by purchasing both together — a deal available on Thursday only.
WHEN Noon to 11 p.m.
COST $20 includes admission and rides

Truman Ridge
Complete with a six-string guitar, a five-string bango, an upright bass and harmonic vocals, this band specializes in bluegrass music, old-time gospel songs, and tradition-based originals.
WHERE Miller Lite Sound Stage
WHEN 3 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission

Dayna Malow
After studying jazz for years, Dayna Malow decided to go down the path of country music. Her country career has taken off, and she’s since opened for popular country artists including Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley and Billy Ray Cyrus.
WHERE Miller Lite Sound Stage
WHEN 5:30 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission

Motor Sports International Truck Pull
Watch the race to the finish line by trucks carrying heavy items and catch a special appearance from Megasaurus, the three-story-tall, 50,000-pound creature that devours cars, boats and airplanes.
WHERE Grandstand
WHEN 7:30 p.m.
COST $10 with fair admission

Sixteen Candles
Remember the ‘80s? This band sure does, covering popular songs by artists like Poison, The Clash, Duran Duran, Prince, Def Leppard and many more. Come reminisce as you listen to all the old hits.
WHERE Miller Lite Sound Stage
WHEN 8 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission

FRIDAY, JULY 17
Rides: Unlimited rides with merchant coupon
Unlimited rides are available until 5 p.m. for only $10, with a merchant coupon from Blue Goose, Valley Community Bank, Super 8, Courtyard Hotel, Fairfield Hotel, Meijer, Days Inn, or Hilton Inn.
WHEN Noon to 5 p.m.
COST $10, with merchant coupon

Kimi Hayes
Hayes and her band punctuate their upbeat rock and modern country music with high energy vocals and explosive guitar work.
WHERE Miller Lite Sound Stage
WHEN 3 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission

The Moods
This motown band shows its great musical range, with styles including blues, pop, rock’n’roll and jazz.
WHERE Miller Lite Sound Stage
WHEN 5:30 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission

Championship Bull Riding
Watch riders try their best to stay on as the bull attempts to buck them off. This dangerous sport is sure to leave audiences on their toes.
WHERE Grandstand
WHEN 7:30 p.m.
COST $10 with fair admission

American English
This Beatles cover group gained popularity worldwide for its near-identical sound and appearance to the real band, and now is headed to Kane County to share the memories and the music that started a revolution.
WHERE Miller Lite Sound Stage
WHEN 8:30 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission

Devon Curtin of St. Charles tries to stay aboard during a donkey race at the 2007 Kane County Fair. STAFF PHOTO BY STEVE BITTINGER

SATURDAY, JULY 18
Rides: Supersaver unlimited special
This deal allows thrill-seekers and less-courageous riders alike to get their fill at the fair with unlimited rides all afternoon for $15.
WHEN Noon to 5 p.m.
COST $15

Tin Horse Band
This girl-powered southern rock band features original songs, as well as renditions of well-known southern rock, country, and classic rock tunes.
WHERE Miller Lite Sound Stage
WHEN 3 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission

Caozz
This band runs the gamut, covering everything from Blink-182 to Tom Petty, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Come and enjoy a little bit of everything.
WHERE Miller Lite Sound Stage   
WHEN 5:30 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission

Big Hat Rodeo
Watch the cowboys try for cash prizes and points in the 2009 competition for world champion titles. World Champion cowboy Shawn Minor will return to compete, and Matthew Mosseau will take part in the steer wrestling.
WHERE Grandstand
WHEN 2 and 7 p.m.
COST $5 at 2 p.m. with fair admission; $10 at 7 p.m. with fair admission

The Buckinghams
These veteran rockers once earned the distinction of “The Most Listened to Band in America” in 1967 by Billboard Magazine. They will feature their own original songs including “Kind of a Drag” and “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” as well as hits from the Beatles and various motown favorites.
WHERE Miller Lite Sound Stage
WHEN 9 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission

SUNDAY, JULY 19
Rides: Supersaver unlimited special
Ride all afternoon to your heart’s content with this deal of unlimited rides for $15.
WHEN Noon to 5 p.m.
COST $15

Livestock Auction
Prize-winning animals will be sold to the highest bidders in this live auction.
WHEN 1 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission

Aurora American Legion Band
After 72 years of playing together, the band still marches on. Made up of veterans and non-veterans, student musicians, former players, and music educators, the band specializes in marches, avant garde, contemporary and standard band music.
WHERE Miller Lite Sound Stage
WHEN 1 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission

Bruce Korosa Polka Band
Join Korosa and his band for some polka music that will be sure to sweep you off your feet.
WHERE Miller Lite Sound Stage
WHEN 3 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission

Hillbilly Rockstarz
This versatile country band will keep you entertained with all the top country songs and some good oldies too. The band covers artists including Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Bon Jovi, and Gretchen Wilson.
WHERE Miller Lite Sound Stage
WHEN 5 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission

Demolition Derby
Come watch total destruction on display as drivers crash their cars into one another in an attempt to be the last one standing. Don’t miss out as the Megasaurus returns hungry to devour more vehicles.
WHERE Grandstand
WHEN 2 and 7 p.m.
COST $5 at 2 p.m. with fair admission; $10 at 7 p.m. with fair admission

Howard & the White Boys
Count on these boys to chase your blues away with their music, a mix of funk, R&B, rock, and blues tunes.
WHERE Miller Lite Sound Stage
WHEN 7:30 p.m.
COST Free with fair admission