Enjoy the fair this week
What would summer be without time spent under the shade trees at Pontiac’s 4-H Park while enjoying a livestock show and a refreshing cup of ice cream from the Prairie Farms stand?
The 2018 Livingston County Ag Fair runs Wednesday through Saturday (July 18-21) just north of Pontiac. Those of us in Livingston County often refer to this event simply as “the fair.” It means a lot to current and past participants as well as organizers. The fair is the place to gather to support a son, daughter, niece, nephew or grandchild. You may even catch a few farmers talking about the markets and families enjoying the fellowship of a potluck lunch during a busy day of showing livestock.
If you stroll through the Humiston Building, you’ll see all of the hard work of the county’s young people on display. Take a moment to see the fair entries – ranging from photography to agriculture. If you spot a youngster near their work, feel free to ask them questions about it or give them some positive feedback.
Once the flag is raised Wednesday morning, the busy fair week is off and running. The show barn is full of activity during the four days with dairy, dogs, swine, beef, and master showmanship. The barn will be a major gathering spot on Saturday with the beef, rabbit, poultry, milk, wether and swine livestock sale in the early afternoon. It’s amazing to see how much money businesses and individuals are willing to donate.
Here are some fair highlights to put on your calendar: the king and queen crowning and scholarship presentations along with the World Championship Rodeo on Wednesday, live decorated cake auction and demolition derby on Friday and tractor pulls by the Illini State Pullers on Saturday. Also, The Central Illinois Farm Network has the pleasure of helping with the Ag Olympics in the grandstand area Thursday evening.
Gate admission is very reasonable with all children 10 and under admitted to the grounds for free. The Livingston County Ag Fair is located at 18142 4-H Park Road near Pontiac. Just head north on Route 23 and look for the signs. For more on fair events, the schedule, and entry information, visit www.livingstoncountyagfair.com.
Look and listen for complete Livingston County Ag Fair coverage on The Central Illinois Farm Network at www.centralillinoisfarmnetwork.com as well as local radio station WGCY 106.3 FM. See you there!
(Thanks to all of our 2018 Fair Central tour sponsors for making coverage of local fairs possible this year: Miller Insurance, Compass Insurance Partners, Alliance Grain, R.A. Seeding Solutions, Miller Farms, Lawrence Autobody, Leman Paintworks, Stine Seed, Bob Rinkenberger/Russell Consulting Group, Potter Agency, Pleasant Ridge Seed Service/Matt Ifft with Beck's Hybrids)
