McHenry County Fair August 1 - 6, 2023
Grounds Events
Complete Schedule of 2023 McHenry County Fair Events
Opening Ceremonies
Come watch the Flags be raised at Noon on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. It is an annual tradition to raise the flags behind the grandstands to open the McHenry County Fair each year. We hope you can join us!
Tractor Parade
No matter if you are a John Deere, International, Case or Oliver fan, you will be able to see all of the classic antique tractors as they parade around the animal barns at the McHenry County Fair!
Tuesday, Aug 1, - 4:00 pm
Wednesday, Aug 2 - 4:00 pm
Thursday, Aug 3 - 4:00 pm
Friday, Aug 4 - 4:00 pm
Saturday, Aug 5 - 4:00 pm
Sunday, Aug 6 - 12:00 pm
Puppy Pals
In their own LocationYou won’t believe your eyes when these pooches perform spectacular stunts and breathtaking feats such as climbing a ladder, jumping rope, and even a BACKFLIP!
Full of surprises and laugh-out-loud canine comedy, Puppy Pals is a fan favorite for children of all ages. This is not only a show loved by all but a family fun experience as in every performance, we invite the audience to take part and maybe even jump in the action with our furry friends.
Tuesday, Aug 1: 3:45 pm, 5:30 pm, 7:30 pm
Wednesday, Aug 2: 3:45 pm, 5:30 pm, 7:30 pm
Thursday, Aug 3: 3:45 pm, 5:30 pm, 7:30 pm
Friday, Aug 4: 1:45 pm, 3:45 pm, 5:30 pm, 7:30 pm
Saturday, Aug 5:1:45 pm, 3:30 pm, 5:30 pm, 7:30 pm
Sunday, Aug 6 - 11:45 pm and 3:45 pm
Great show for the family. with lots of heart!
Glass Blower
The mobile glassblowing experience brings the artistry and education of glass making beyond the studio walls to McHenry County Fair. Viewers will experience a multitude of information surrounding the lost art of glassblowing. On site glass blower will share a vast knowledge of the process of manipulating hot glass into various shapes and forms. Glassblowing is an interdisciplinary art form that embodies art, science, math, history, and teamwork. Items made during the glassblowing demonstrations will be able to purchase a piece they watched being made on Sunday, August 7 at 2:30 pm.
Wednesday thru Sunday - 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Auction
Sunday 2:30 PM in Hansen PavilionJoe Stebbing Wood Carving
Tuesday, Aug 1: noon, 2:00 pm, 4;00 pm, 6 pm
Wednesday, Aug 2: noon, 2:00 pm, 4;00 pm, 6 pm
Thursday, Aug 3:noon, 2:00 pm, 4;00 pm, 6 pm
Friday, Aug 4: noon, 2:00 pm, 4;00 pm, 6 pm
Saturday, Aug 5: noon, 2:00 pm, 4;00 pm, 6 pm
Sunday, Aug 6: 10:00 am and noon
All American Lumberjack Show
We have 10 lumberjack events that we run in the All American Lumberjack Show including Log Rolling, OP Race, Axe Throwing, Spring Board Tree Topping, Single Buck, 2 Man X-cut Sawing, Stock Saw Racing, Hot Saw Racing, Quick Carve & Log Boom Racing. It is run in head to head competition format with lots of interaction with the audience who along with the lumberjacks are on a red or blue team. Carvings made in the show are given away to someone in the audience.
Tuesday, Aug 1, - 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm
Wednesday, Aug 2 - 3:00 pm
Thursday, Aug 3 - 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm
Friday, Aug 4 - 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm
Saturday, Aug 5 - 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm
Sunday, Aug 6 - 1:00 pm and 3;00 pm
Lumberjack Interactive Camp
Kids can participate. Why sit and watch when you can be part of the action. Lumberjack camps are a safe, fun and entertaining activity for everyone young & old. Our pro lumberjacks will teach you the old time skills of Log Rolling, Axe Throwing & X-Cut Sawing so you can become a lumberjack or lumberjill!
Tuesday, Aug 1, - 7:00 pm
Thursday, Aug 3 - 7:00 pm
Friday, Aug 4 - 7:00 pm
Saturday, Aug 7 - 7:00 pm
Sunday, Aug 8 - 1:30 pm
PeeWee
Dairy Show

We're having a PeeWee Division Dairy Show this year!
Sunday, August 6, 2023
10:00 am Registration
11:00 am Show in Hansen Pavilion
Horse Arena Events
Midwest Renegades Drill Team
Friday 6 PMSince 2004 the MidWest Renegades Equestrian Drill Team from Woodstock, Illinois has been dedicated to providing quality entertainment for their audiences while keeping the fun in riding. The group consists of riders from different riding disciplines and experience levels riding a wide variety of horse breeds. Members range from age 7 to over 50 years of age, with each rider striving to reflect their motto: The Pride is in the Ride!
Entertainment in Hansen Pavilion
75 year Or More Farm Recognition, Orion Samuelson Building Dedication and Charles Beard Way Street Dedication
Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 5:00 pm
75th Anniversary Farmer’s Event Wednesday August 2, 2023, 5pm, Hansen Pavilion Calling all farmers, their friends and family, and in particular those who have farmed in McHenry County for 75 years or more; that includes Centennial Farms. On Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 5pm, in Hansen Pavilion, we will be recognizing all of you for not only your support of the McHenry County Fair, but also for the hard work you do every day to feed America. Farm Bureau Members (with ID) and those of you who have registered with the McHenry County Fair Association (815-338-5315 before August 1, 2023, will get in for half price on Wednesday. We’d also appreciate it if you could supply us with a picture of your farm (then and/or now). The event on Wednesday August 2nd is also special as we will be honoring two people. First, Charles Beard was Swine Superintendent for more than 20 years, he was instrumental in the reconstruction and dedication of the Memorial Swine Barn, Chaired the 4-H Auction Committee, and was an MCFA Fair Board member and Vice President for as long as anyone can remember. The second person we will honor needs no introduction. Orion Samuelson has been a friend to farmers throughout the world since he began his career as a Farm Broadcaster. And for more than 60 years he was the voice of the farmer on WGN. Retired now and living in McHenry County, the MCFA will honor him for his lifelong commitment to farming in America by naming Building D in his honor.
75 Year Farms
Livestock Shows
Talent Show
Friday at 7 PM in the Hansen PavilionHay Bale Throwing Contest
Saturday, August 5 at 5 pm in Hansen Pavilion.Chain Saw and Glass Blowing Piece Auction
Sunday 2:30 PM in Hansen PavilionEntertainment Tent
There will be many different events going on in the Entertainment Tent.
Schedule will change Daily!
TUESDAY, August 1, 2023
4:00 pm Fair Food Challenge - Beverage
5:00 pm Fair Food Challenge - Sweet
6:00 pm Fair Food Challenge - Savory
7:30 pm Movie and Game Night
WEDNESDAY, August 2, 2023
10:30 am K-9 Demonstration
1:30 pm Atomic BINGO Sponsored by Rookies
THURSDAY, August 3, 2023
10:30 am K-9 Demonstration
11:30 am - 2:30 pm Banjo Buddies
3:00 pm Atomic BINGO Sponsored by Rookies
6:00 pm Mother Daughter Look Alike Contest / Father Son Look Alike Contest
FRIDAY, August 4, 2023
10:30 am K-9 Demonstration
11:30 am Banjo Buddies
3:00 pm Pedal Pull Registration
4:00 pm Pedal Pull Competition
6:00 pm Mariachi Band
2023 SATURDAY, August 5, 2023
3:00 pm Pedal Pull Registration
4:00 pm Pedal Pull Competition
SUNDAY, August 6, 2023
11:00 am Cheryl and the Down Home
12:30 pm Pedal Pull Registration
1:30 pm Pedal Pull Competition
Band of the Day!
Relax and Enjoy the Music while you eat lunch!Marty Brunkala on mandolin and fiddle, Pete Jonsson on guitar and the occasional harmonica, Jim Siedel on the upright bass and lead vocalist Cheryl Niemo.
Pedal Pulls
Friday and Saturday
Registration at 3 PM for 4 PM Race
Sunday
Registration at 12:30 PM for 1:30 PM Race
Atomic Bingo Sponsored by Rookies
Thursday, August 4, 2023 from 3:00 - 5:00 pm
McHenry County Sheriff's Office
K-9 Unit Demonstration
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 10:30 am
Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Mother Daughter Contest
Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Mother Daughter Entry Form
Father Son Contest
Thursday, August 3, 2023 following the Mother Daughter Contest in Building CFather Son Entry Form
Building C has:
-- Commercial Exhibits ---- Barnyard Buddies --
-- The Queens Walk and past pictures --
-- McHenry County Defenders --
Barnyard Buddies
Open 10 am to 8 pmScavenger Hunt is a part of Barnyard Buddies
Building D
-- McHenry County Farm Bureau Food Booth ---- Main Fair Office – including Fair-opoly, T shirt and sweatshirt sales --
-- Commercial Exhibits --
Building E
-- Gardening – Vegetables, Grain - Come see the biggest weed in McHenry County! ---- Flowers --
-- Photography --
-- Writing --
-- Art --
-- Foods --
-- Honey --
Building F
-- Antiques ---- Crafts and Needlework --
-- Sewing and Quilting --
-- McHenry County Historical Society --
-- Antique Tools Display --
-- Train Display --