Lake County Fair Offers Music, Motocross, Monkeys and More

For 32 years, Chuck and Mary Lenzen, of Round Lake Beach, have been coming to the Lake County Fair together. Chuck has been attending even longer, coming with his parents when he was a child.

The tradition of attending the Lake County Fair is strong, and old habits die hard. “We had the old fairgrounds memorized, so we’re still getting used to it here,” Mary Lenzen said, as they walked around the new fairgrounds off Peterson Road in Grayslake on opening day, July 26.

This is the third year for the new fairgrounds location. The fair is expected to draw more than 100,000 people this week as it runs through Sunday, July 31.

“I think we’re just trying to figure it all out,” Lenzen said about the layout of the more modern facility.

After they walked in from the motocross parking, the Lenzens paused briefly to see the livestock, then worked their way onto the main path that winds around the grounds.

“We just love the atmosphere,” Lenzen said. “This is great weather. and we just like to come.”

The Lenzens will pass on their tradition of going to the fair. Their children, now grown, will bring their own children, and three generations of the family will enjoy what Chuck Lenzen has for so long.

“I like the food the best,” he said.

That is a popular attraction for fair attendees. Take your pick of corn on the cob dipped in butter, huge burritos, turkey legs, cotton candy, elephant ears, hamburgers, hot dogs – you name it, they sell it.

Lyn Schaefer, grandma to Samara, 6, and Donovan, 4, of Lake Villa, also said the festival food is part of the fun.

“It’s nice to get some sugar in them,” Schaefer said of the giant bags of cotton candy each of the kids were enjoying. “It’s nice to spoil them.”

She added that the fair offers something for all ages. “They like the rides,” Schaefer said. “I like the animals.”

Walk through the livestock barns to get up close and personal with the cows, goats, chickens, hens, bunnies, pigs and the like. Stop for a rest at the Grandstands and watch some motocross racing or the rodeo. Swing by the main stage or the Funpalooza stage and hear the bands, walk through the expo center and check out the various displays, or simply walk and wind your way around the fairgrounds and eat, drink and ride the day away.

The Tibbett family of Golf says they drove up almost an hour to attend the on July 26. They were showing support for a friend who was showing a lamb in the 4-H competition.

They played a few games and ate some dinner, the family agreed the rides were the best attraction. “It’s great and very entertaining,” said the Tibbett sisters Tabitha, 8 and Dru, 10.

Jim Bell of Zion was looking forward to spending some quality time with his 3-year-old son, Jimmy. Bell raced in the motocross races at the fair several years ago.

Now he’s hoping to get Jimmy involved. He says he’s looking forward to passing the tradition on to his son, even though he is still quite young.

“You know, I never thought that I would be here with my own kid watching the races with him,” Bell said. “You don’t realize that when you are 17 or 18.”

Little Jimmy Bell already has his own dirt bikes at home and is excited to learn how to ride them. And so the traditions continue.

The 83rd annual Lake County Fair continues through Sunday at the fairgrounds in Grayslake. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and children younger than 12, free admission for children younger than 5. General parking is free; preferred parking is $5.

For a complete schedule of events, and to print a $2 off admission coupon, visit the Lake County Fair website.