Ludacris, Skynyrd & America's 250th all part of this year's Walworth County Fair
The 177th Walworth County Fair is Wednesday-Monday, Sept. 2-7, in Elkhorn.
A rodeo is one of numerous activities happening at the Walworth County Fair in elkhorn, along with a drone show to celebrate America's 250th, a carnival, various children's programs and agricultural demonstrations.
The Walworth County Fair returns for its 177th year Wednesday-Monday, Sept. 2-7, at the fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn.
Ludacris will be there. Lynyrd Skynyrd, too.
From Wednesday-Monday, Sept. 2-7, there will also be a rodeo, a patriotic drone show, concerts by nationally known and local acts alike.
Let's not forget the demolition derby, all the contests, the carnival, various agricultural demonstrations, arts and crafts galore — so many reasons why this is one of Walworth County's largest annual events.
So many reasons to go that one could perhaps use a little advice navigating the fair schedule.
Below is a selection of Walworth County Fair activities for those looking to cut loose, to entertain the whole family and for those who want to experience the slice of Americana that only a county fair can deliver.
Daily fair admission tickets are $8 for ages 5-12, $10 for those older than 62, and $13 for adults. Fees may also apply.
Buy tickets and find more fair details at walworthcountyfairgrounds.com. Note: Information is subject to change.
Find a groove
If live music is the prime motivation for going to this year's Walworth County Fair, there is something to see every day of the fair.
The best part? Most shows are free, except for the headliners playing the Grandstand.
This year's headliners are Grammy-winning rapper/ actor Ludacris; Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd; and platinum-selling country artist Russell Dickerson.
Dickerson performs with special guest Madison County Friday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. Ticket prices $76.33 and up, as of press time.
Lynyrd Skynyrd plays Saturday, Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices $105.68 and up.
On Sunday, Sept. 6, Ludacris is on the Grandstand stage, with special guest DJ Bizzon. Show starts 7:30 p.m. Tickets $76.33 and up.
How about a free gig? Numerous area performers and tribute acts are schedule to play at other fair stages, including:
Yves Francois Rocambu Jazz Band — Sept. 2, noon, Peggy's Park Stage. Dance band formed in 2002 supplies retro African, Latin and Caribbean sounds, according to yvesfrancoisritmo.com.
Dan Fester — Sept. 3, 6 p.m., Duesterbeck's Brew Haus Music Hall. Live loop artist currently resides in Las Vegas. "Whether he's channeling Johnny Cash, reimagining Daft Punk or blending Prince with a hint of dub, his reinterpretations elevate familiar songs into something entirely new," states the Facebook event page.
Ludy and his Lady — Sept. 5, 1:30 p.m., Peggy's Park Stage. Vocalists Ludy and Nicole Puleo play everything from Motown and disco to R&B, country, pop, rock and soul. Find out more at ludytunes.com.
Jonny Lyons — Sept. 4, 4 p.m., Peggy's Park Stage; and 6 p.m., Duesterbeck's Brew Haus Music Hall. Chicago-based artist blends rockabilly, country and soul. Today, he will play two shows. His tribute to Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash is at 4 p.m.
Lara Bell — Sept. 6, noon, Duesterbeck's Brew Haus Music Hall. Born and raised in Northern Illinois, this country artist recently opened for Jason Aldean, per larabellmusic.com.
The Thompson Duo — Sept. 7, 4 p.m., Duesterbeck's Brew Haus Music Hall.Comprised of vocalist Melanie Thompson and her husband, guitarist Bill Thompson, the duo performs many styles of music over 150 shows annually, according to thethompsonduo.com.
Fun for kids
Here are some fair activities with families in mind.
Kindschi's Kids Pedal Tractor Pull — Sept. 3 and 4, registration 4 p.m., starts at 5 p.m., Midway Area.
Infant/Toddler Stuffed Toy Animal Showdown — Sept. 4, 11 a.m., Barnyard Adventure stage in Family Adventureland. Open to ages 4 and younger. Children can bring their favorite stuffed animal toy. Free to enter. Four random prize drawings.
Hula Hoop Contest — Sept. 4, 1 p.m., Barnyard Adventure stage in Family Adventureland.
Combines for Kids — Sept. 5, 9-11 a.m., Grandstand. Children can climb a real combine and take a ride around the track with Walworth County farmers. Freewill donation supports the Discovery Barn.
Antique Tractor & Car Parade — Sept. 6, registration 9:30-10:45 a.m., parade11 a.m.-noon, Racetrack. What child doesn't love a parade? This one may have cars, trucks, motorcycles and snowmobiles. Free to attend. Those who enter have a chance at a cash prize.
With a carnival, the Barnyard Adventure program's two locations and a Family Adventureland, it's safe to say boredom doesn't stand a chance with children at this year's fair.
Below is a list of places to go that have family-geared entertainment pretty much throughout the fair. Times vary per day, but these locations are open daily.
Family Adventureland — Shows feature the Amazing Anastasini Circus, live glassblowing, art demos, a chainsaw artist and the Heavy Duty Dirt Machinery Experience.
Barnyard Adventure Tent & Garden — Make-and-take activities, story times, freshly picked food tasting and butterfly releases are all daily here.
Barnyard Adventure Learning Coop — Various educational programs are scheduled here throughout the fair, such as stained and fused glass demos, a DIY beeswax balm workshop and more.
County fair spirit
The following Walworth County Fair events capture the spirit of the event, which can be found everywhere form the barns to the demolition derby.
Rice Pro Rodeo with Bella Cain — Sept. 2, 5:30 p.m., Grandstand. The Facebook event page calls it a "full-on bronc-busting, bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping and barrel racing" affair. Bella Cain performs after the rodeo. Tickets $15. Go to walworthcountyfairgrounds.com.
Pro Truck and Tractor Pulls — Sept. 3, noon & 7 p.m., Grandstand.
Walworth County Salutes America — Sept. 3, 9 p.m., Grandstand. A drone show celebrating America's 250th. It is also important to note there are numerous fair activities observing the milestone.
Demolition Derby — Sept. 7, shows at 12:30, 3 & 5:30 p.m., Grandstand. Watch as people smash their vehicles into each other. Tickets $15.
In addition, please note there are judging and demonstrations for various agricultural categories Sept. 2-6.
Also, the long-running Fairest of the Fair contest has its finals Sept. 6, 5 p.m., at Peggy's Park Stage.
The 60th Fairest of the Fair Reunion is Sept. 6, 2:30 p.m., at the Wiswell Center.
