New to the McHenry County Fair?

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WOODSTOCK – When you think about a county fair, what comes to mind?

Carnival rides and fried food? Animals, blue ribbons, and 4-H projects? Tractor pulls and demolition derbies?

Or does the word “midway” make you think of an airport, and the idea of watching tractors pull heavy weights makes you yawn? If you’re new to the idea of county fairs, you’re not alone.

The McHenry County Fair begins today and continues through Sunday at the fairgrounds in Woodstock. The handy guide below will introduce rookies to some basic county fair concepts and update the regulars on the highlights of the 2008 McHenry County Fair.

What’s new this year?

For the first time, a live Webcast of the McHenry County Queen pageant will be online from 7 to 9 p.m. today at www.mchenrycountyfair.com and www.globalvillagewebcast.com for those who cannot attend. The video will remain accessible for a year.

Thursday is veterans day at the fair, and admission is free for all veterans and active military personnel. At 7 p.m., the agriculture community will remember all McHenry County veterans from as far back as World War II in a 21-tractor salute. Twenty-one tractors from different eras will parade in front of the grandstand while a band plays military songs and the names of McHenry County veterans are read over the loudspeaker.

How does 4-H work?

More than 600 children and youth ages 8 to 18 from 29 4-H clubs around the county spend all year working on various projects: raising livestock, learning to cook, making crafts, and constructing posters on various topics. The projects are judged at the fair, and the top projects go on to compete at the state fair in Springfield.

4-H livestock and projects are on display all week in the livestock areas and the green 4-H building on the west side of the fairgrounds.

What is a midway?

The section of a fair containing most of the rides, games and food booths is called the midway. Skinner Amusements, based in Crystal Lake, provides the rides and carnival games at the McHenry County Fair. The midway will open at 1 p.m. today through Friday, and at noon Saturday and Sunday.

How do truck and tractor pulls work?

Tractors in various weight categories try to pull a weighted sled 300 feet. As they pull, the sled gets incrementally heavier. The tractor that goes the farthest wins. After the tractor pulls at 6 p.m. Saturday, stick around to watch farmers smash combines into one another during the combine demolition derby.

Why is the demolition derby so popular?

You watch cars, trucks and SUVs smash into one another while a clown runs around trying to make them stop. What’s not to like? The 3 p.m. demolition derby Sunday is the last event of the fair and often the best attended. All types of vehicles from regular cars to what event organizers call “urban assault vehicles” (vans and sport utility vehicles) crash into one another with the intent of becoming the last vehicle able to move. Anyone with a helmet, a seat belt, a driver’s license, and a modified car can participate. For entry forms and rules, visit www.darkhorsedemoderby.com.

What can I expect to do for fun?

Other than the carnival rides and games, entertainment is planned in the grandstands and entertainment tent each night. Play bingo at noon Wednesday and Thursday or listen to live bands in the entertainment tent each evening. Watch a police dog demonstration at 5:30 p.m. daily and 2 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The McHenry County queen will be crowned during a pageant at 7 p.m. today in the grandstands. Watch pro bull riders take the ring at 7 p.m. Friday and then head over to Hansen Pavilion at 8:30 p.m. for the Senior Talent Contest. Don’t miss the truck and tractor pulls and combine demolition derby at 6 p.m. Saturday or the regular demolition derby at 3 p.m. Sunday.

What will it cost me to get in and park?

Admission to the park is $7 a day for adults and $3 for children ages 8 to 12 and seniors older than 65. A season pass, which gets you into the fair all week, costs $15.

Most events are free, but the pro bull riding Friday costs $10 a person, the truck and tractor pulls and combine demonstration Saturday evening costs $5 a person, and the Demolition Derby on Sunday costs $7 a person.

Parking in a grassy lot at the fairgrounds is free, and the lot doesn’t normally fill up.

Is it too late to enter the competitions?

No. Entries into Sunday’s Barbecue Cook-Off sponsored by the McHenry West Kiwanis Key Club will be accepted through Sunday morning. Space and loaner grills will be assigned in the Hansen Pavilion beginning today, so late entries might miss out on the best locations. Adult grillers can compete in classes for any cut of beef, poultry and pork. Juniors 19 and younger can compete for best hamburger, sausage or chicken leg. The grand prize for adult and junior divisions includes a Weber Grill smoker and other prizes. For information, call John Morrison at 847-639-7981.

While at the fair, amateur photographers can take pictures and submit them for a McHenry County Fair Book Photo Contest. Up to five photo entries per person can be submitted on CD to the Photography Department in Building F by 7 p.m. Sunday. Winners will be notified by Jan. 31, 2009, and their photos will appear in the 2009 Fair Book. Contact Nancy Shepherd with questions at nshepherdphoto@sbcglobal.net.

If you go

What: McHenry County Fair.

When: Today through Sunday.

Where: McHenry County Fairgrounds, northeast corner of Route 47 and Country Club Road, Woodstock.

Cost: $7 for adults, $3 for children ages 8 to 12 and seniors over age 65, or $15 for a season pass.

Information: Call the fair office at 815-338-5315, or go to www.mchenrycountyfair.com.