McHenry County Fair 2024

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Meet the Wittum brothers! Ben and Braden Wittum a

Meet the Wittum brothers!

Ben and Braden Wittum are standout steer and swine exhibitors, competing since the age of eight with the support of their mother and grandfather. But their passion for livestock runs even deeper—it's a family tradition. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and even great-grandparents have competed, offering encouragement and wisdom along the way.

This past year, Braden earned the 4-H Grand Champion Market Beef trophy, while Ben claimed the Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef title. It’s the first time both awards have gone to members of the same family. These trophies, engraved with each year’s winners, feature a long line of Wittums, making their victories even more special.

Braden’s win marks his second Grand Champion title. His mother, Jennifer Wittum (formerly Jennifer Jacobs), claimed the same honor in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1999, remaining the only competitor to win three years in a row. Their great-aunt also won in 1976 and 1978, cementing a three-generation legacy.

Ben’s Reserve Grand Champion trophy is newer but still holds significance—his mother won it in 1998, creating another family milestone.

The Wittum brothers don’t limit their talents to the McHenry County Fair. They also compete in events like the Badger Brawl in Madison, WI, the Southeast Elite in Fond du Lac, WI, and various other shows across Wisconsin. They participate in Junior, Open, and 4-H competitions, including sport fishing, where Ben recently earned a state-level Grand Champion title. Ben also excels in vegetable and small engine exhibitions.

For Ben and Braden, these competitions are more than just about winning. They offer goals, foster deeper connections with their animals, and create lasting memories with family and friends. Their dedication keeps a proud tradition alive, and the future looks bright for these talented brothers.

Want to be our next feature? MESSAGE US on social media to share your McHenry County Fair story!

It's #GivingTuesday and we're doing a little shame

It's #GivingTuesday and we're doing a little shameless self-promotion 😁

The MCFA is a non-profit organization that utilizes sponsorships, donations, and volunteers to put on each McHenry County Fair. In addition, the fairgrounds has been a community space for a variety of local organizations that often benefit McHenry County residents.

Please consider getting involved to help us continue to provide agricultural education and family entertainment to McHenry County.

Contact our office at MCFAoffice@McHenryCountyFair.com

Tomorrow is the start of our winter hours. Email a

Tomorrow is the start of our winter hours. Email and social media are the best ways to reach us outside of our office hours.

Happy Thanksgiving! We wish you a wonderful holida

Happy Thanksgiving! We wish you a wonderful holiday surrounded by the ones you love!

McHenry County is home to tons of small businesses

McHenry County is home to tons of small businesses that will appreciate your support this holiday season 🎁

TAG your favorite McHenry County small businesses to support this Saturday!

Need a last minute treat for Thanksgiving this wee

Need a last minute treat for Thanksgiving this week? Today's the perfect day to a taste test some donut hole acorns 😋

RECIPE: https://bit.ly/3NZc1nC

The MCFA would like to wish Diane Hellyer a happy

The MCFA would like to wish Diane Hellyer a happy retirement!

For the past decade Diane has worked in the fairground's office. She's been an encyclopedia on all things McHenry County Fair. She's answered your phone calls and emails, helped you reserve your event space, assisted with sign-ups for exhibitions, and so much more. We will miss her, but we are also excited for her to spend her new found time traveling with her husband and making more memories with her kids and grandkids.

Thank you for everything, Diane!

Winter storage spaces are still available but are

Winter storage spaces are still available but are running out! Contact the fair office to secure your spot.

PHONE: (815) 338-5315
EMAIL: MCFAoffice@McHenryCountyFair.com

#ThrowbackThursday to 1921! How many 🐄 do you t

#ThrowbackThursday to 1921! How many 🐄 do you think could fit in our original farm buildings??

Meet Ella! She is 18 years old, from Marengo, and

Meet Ella!

She is 18 years old, from Marengo, and one of the McHenry County Fair’s dairy cattle exhibitionists.

Ella is easy to spot at a dairy cattle exhibition. She’s the blonde with a cow and smile that goes ear to ear. The joy she gets from showing her cattle is obvious and makes it no surprise that her favorite aspect of competing is “the feeling during the show knowing I have worked hard with my animals all summer to get up this point.”

However, Ella’s joy and comfort while competing makes it surprising she only started competing two years ago. While many of Ella’s peers have been showing livestock since childhood, which is often a tradition passed on for multiple generations, Ella is the first in her family to be involved in agriculture and livestock.

Thanks to the encouragement of her agriculture teacher, Mrs. Obert, and her grandmother, Ella joined 4-H, taught herself how to show, started working with dairy cows, and entered her first dairy cattle exhibition – and she doesn’t just show at the McHenry County Fair. She competes at Harvard Milk Days, FFA shows, the World Dairy Expo, and showmanship competitions where she even gets to test her abilities to handle other types of livestock.

Learning to handle and care for cattle day-in and day-out is no easy task, but Ella thinks the most important part of competing is teaching you how to care for another being that isn’t yourself. In fact, she wishes more people knew how tired her and her fellow exhibitionists are after a long day of caring for their animals, but it’s all worth it.

Livestock exhibitions may be a new venture for Ella, but she has jumped in with both feet and is fully committed. In fact, she’s surrounded by a new group of friends that help her learn and grow.

The McHenry County Fair is excited to see Ella and her dairy cows for years to come.

***

Do YOU want to be our next exhibition or fair feature? MESSAGE US on social media and we will share your McHenry County Fair story.

Happy #VeteransDay! Make sure to thank a vet today

Happy #VeteransDay! Make sure to thank a vet today for their service to our country!

Sponsor Highlight: Sherwin Williams Last July Woo

Sponsor Highlight: Sherwin Williams

Last July Woodstock’s own Sherwin Williams helped the MCFA prepare for the McHenry County Fair by power washing and painting the exteriors of four fairground buildings. The work was donated and will be appreciated for years to come thanks to the quality workmanship.

Keep following along as we recount different acts of service and community that have happened this year at the McHenry County Fairgrounds.

Turn the beauty of fall into one-of-a-kind holiday

Turn the beauty of fall into one-of-a-kind holiday decor 🍂

These easy DIY fall leaf lanterns are the perfect weekend activity to make with your kids and can double as great holiday gifts!

FREE DIY Instructions: https://bit.ly/4efZ8AC

It's Election Day! Make your voice heard! 🗳️

It's Election Day! Make your voice heard! 🗳️

#VoteToday #Election2024

Happy end of daylight savings time! What better wa

Happy end of daylight savings time! What better way to celebrate your extra hour than by baking a batch of cookies with your favorite Halloween candies 😋

RECIPE link for Halloween Candy Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies: https://bit.ly/4fwlcrz

Happy Halloween 🎃

Happy Halloween 🎃

#TuesdayTrivia answer time! Can you believe 2 BIL

#TuesdayTrivia answer time!

Can you believe 2 BILLION pumpkins are sold in the U.S. EACH YEAR?! 😮 That's a lot of pumpkin pie, jack-o-lanterns, pepitas, and more pumpkin snacks and fun! What's your favorite thing to do with pumpkins each fall?

#TuesdayTrivia – how many pumpkins are sold in the

#TuesdayTrivia - how many pumpkins are sold in the U.S. each year? Do YOU know? NO CHEATING! Check back at 7 PM to see if you're correct!

#PumpkinsOfInstagram #OctoberTrivia #FallFacts

Food eating competitions, haybale throwing, talent

Food eating competitions, haybale throwing, talent, look-a-like contests and MORE!

These are just some of the fun competitions at the McHenry County Fair! What events and competitions have you entered?

Happy "Hug a 🐑 day" from the Splendorias! You c

Happy "Hug a 🐑 day" from the Splendorias! You can always spot these kids and their sheep at the McHenry County Fair!

📷 Post your own "Hug a 🐑" photos and tag @mchenrycountyfair and we'll share your photos!

#HugASheep

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CONTACT

Address
P.O.Box 375
11900 Country Club Road
Woodstock, IL 60098

Phone Number
815-338-5315

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