85th Annual Lake County Fair to Feature Clydesdales, Banana Derby

When the 85th annual Lake County Fair opens this week, guests will be treated to everything from livestock demonstrations to the return of the Budweiser Clydesdales.

The fair will kick off July 24 and end July 28. Each day will feature standards like the carnival, food vendors and live entertainment, along with a variety of special events. The popular Banana Derby, which features monkeys riding dogs around a track, will be back every day at the Kid Korral. The second annual Sasquatch Calling Contest is set for July 26. The Budweiser Clydesdales will be featured in a parade at 1 p.m. July 27 and 28.

Here's a look at some events taking place at the fair this week:

July 24:

10 a.m. to dusk - Petting Zoo and Train, Pony Rides
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Chicago Flower & Garden Show
10:30 a.m. - 85th Anniversary Time Capsule Burial
11 a.m. - Swine Judging
Noon to 6 p.m. - Bingo
Noon, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. - Banana Derby Racing
1 p.m. - 4-H Dairy Goat Judging
7 p.m. - Dairy Goat Milking Competition
7 p.m. - Miss Lake County Fair Queen Pageant
7 p.m. - Svette Bobby and the Soulfixers, Beer Garden
7 p.m. - Pro Motocross

July 25: 

9 a.m. - Open Class Sheep Judging
Noon to 2 p.m. - 4-H Fashion Show
Noon, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. - Banana Derby Racing
4 p.m. - Sheep Shearing Demonstration
6 p.m. - Little and Junior Miss Lake County Fair Queen Pageants
7 p.m. - Pro Motocross
7:30 p.m. - Too White Crew, Beer Garden

July 26:

8 a.m. - 4-H Western Horse Show Judging
Noon to 5 p.m. - Sgt. Smash Monster Truck Rides
3 p.m. - 2013 Fair Queens Meet & Greet, Festival Square
4 to 6 p.m. - Zumba, Blue Ribbon Stage
5 p.m. Lake County Farm Heritage Tractor Parade
6 p.m. - 4-H Battle of the Barns
7 p.m. - Truck & Tractor Pull, Grandstand
8 p.m. - Sasquatch Calling Contest, Festival Square

July 27: 

11 a.m. - Battle of the Bands
1 p.m. - Introduction to Beekeeping, Blue Ribbon Stage
1 p.m. - Budweiser Clydesdales Parade
2 p.m. - Livestock Auction
3 p.m. - Gingerbread Building Live Challenge, Blue Ribbon Stage
4 p.m. - Old-Fashioned Pie Eating Competition
7:30 p.m. - Lucas Oil Monster Truck Nationals

July 28: 

11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. - Junior, Senior and Adult Talent Competitions, respectively
11 a.m. - Dance A-Fair Competition
Noon - Demolition Derby
1 p.m. - Budweiser Clydesdales Parade
1 p.m. - Wool Spinning Demonstration

Check out the full schedule on the Lake County Fair website.

Hours

The fair will be open from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. July 24-25, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 26-27, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 28. Daily admission is $8 Wednesday through Friday for adults ages 13 and over, and $10 for Saturday and Sunday. Children ages 6-12, along with seniors, are just $5 each day. For more pricing information, visit the Lake County Fair website. Tickets must be purchased with cash. Credit and debit cards are not accepted.

The Lake County Fairgrounds are located at 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake.