FUN for the whole family

from BCR_Tourism Guide 2023

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he historic Bureau County Fair returns to Princeton August 23-27, 2023. Since it began in 1855, the fair has entertained all members of the family. And 168 years later, the fair is still entertaining the whole family. The NAME carnival returns this year with huge rides. There will be lots of free entertainment on the grounds with a new show this year called Aussie Kingdom with kangaroos, wallabies, and kookaburras. The Kramer Hospitality building will have live music daily, plus senior citizen activities on Thursday.

This year, the Bureau County Fair will offer two amazing concerts for the price of one.

Josh Turner and special guest Sara Evans will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 24. Tickets are available at www.bureaucountyfair. com.

On Wednesday, August 23, a Veteran’s Program will be held in the grandstand with Quilts of Honor presented to some former service men and women, with speakers and music to honor our veterans.

Tractor and Truck pulls are the grandstand entertainment on Friday night. The traditional Demolition Derby is Saturday night. Come early and watch the kids crash their little Power Wheels cars before the big guys hit the track. On Sunday afternoon, come back to watch the Figure 8 Demolition Derby. Traditional fair activities fill up the week too. There will be many blue-ribbon entries in the Fine Arts building for you to enjoy. You can enter in sewing, photography, floriculture, vegetables, art, hobbies and collections, baking and canning. Many businesses have commercial displays outside and in the exhibit hall.

Picking out which fair food you want to try is always a hard choice to make – taffy or corn dogs or funnel cakes? Take the kids to the Magic show when you need to sit and relax for a bit. Livestock shows are a big part of the fair. Sheep, hogs, and cattle will be shown on the weekend. The other livestock is shown at various times during the week. Horses and riders will compete in barrel racing on Saturday. On Sunday, the open horse show starts at 9 a.m. and the Draft Horse show begins at 10 a.m.

Shopping, recreation, quality schools, year-round activities, and access to healthcare make Princeton a great place to live.

Bureau County Fairgrounds is a busy place all year long. Flea markets or garage sales are held almost monthly. Gun shows are held four times a year. Nightmare Haunted Attraction fills the barns with screams and zombies throughout the month of October. The Home for the Holidays Christmas Light show begins Thanksgiving weekend and continues through December 31. A Monster Truck show will be in front of the grandstand on June 3. The Model Train and Farm Toy Show is held twice a year, in November and February. Additional upcoming activities are a Pigeon Show, 4-H Fair, a Christian Music concert, fundraisers, wedding receptions, and cattle shows. For information, go to www.bureaucountyfair.com.

Homestead Festival

The annual Homestead Festival is four days full of activities from morning to night. While the schedule is still being developed, you can be sure to find the following events – a huge parade, pork chop barbeque, Arts and Crafts show, pancake breakfast, concerts on Main St., a flea market, class reunions, 5K race, a huge car show, 50/50 drawing, a medallion hunt, a baby contest, music, and shopping. This year’s dates are September 7-10.

FARMER’S MARKETS

Pick up your fresh veggies from the local Farmer’s Markets this summer. It’s good for your health, and it’s great for our local economy. Check the schedule for starting dates. Farmer’s Markets are held in Spring Valley, Walnut, Ladd, Tiskilwa, and Princeton on various days. Along with vegetables, some have baked goods, flowers, and even live music.

• Spring Valley: Friday night market, 5-8 p.m.