How to go
What: 2015 Champaign County Fair
Where: Champaign County Fairgrounds
When: Friday through Aug. 14
Admission: $7 daily, which includes all rides
The 2015 Champaign County Fair opens Friday with a bang as country music star Josh Turner will highlight the first day’s entertainment.
Turner’s concert starts at 8 p.m., with Drew Baldridge opening the show.
Turner has six studio-released albums and numerous No. 1 singles. “Long Black Train,” his 2003 debut album’s title track, was his breakthrough single release. His first two No. 1 hits — “Your Man” and “Would You Go with Me” — came off his second album, “Your Man.”
His fourth album, “Haywire” (2010) produced his biggest hit, the No. 1 “Why Don’t We Just Dance” and another chart-topper in “All Over Me.” And “Time Is Love” was the biggest hit of 2012, according to Billboard Year-End.
“That will be one of our biggest nights,” said Tim Purk, Champaign County Fair president.
“We’re hoping to fill up the grandstands … it will hold 5,500 people,” said Todd Dallas, chairman of entertainment. “We’ve been trying to grow our concert night.”
Also among the big events is the dedication of two new buildings, the horse barn and Junior Fair Board building. The Junior Fair Board building will be dedicated in memory of Melvin Cook, a long-time fair supporter and past president.
As usual, there will also be lots of livestock this year.
“The livestock numbers are either even with or up compared to past years’ numbers,” Purk said.
There will plenty of other attractions as well.
“We’ll have a steam engine on display in the Farm Bureau Building,” Purk said. “They’re getting fewer and far between.”
The Lions Park Gazebo will host an interesting attraction all week.
“The Daniel Show will amaze kids with balloon-twisting, unicycle-riding and juggling,” Dallas said.
Another all-week show will be Stihl Chainsaw’s demonstrations in sculpting. The resulting sculptures will be placed into a silent auction.
“The proceeds go to the Junior Fair Board,” Dallas said.
The Wild Animal Exhibit will be on display today through Tuesday.
“It’s very educational and entertaining,” Dallas said.
The Antique and Mini-Modified Tractor Pulls will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the grandstands. Then at 7 p.m., the Champaign County Classic Truck Pulls will be held.
Senior citizens and veterans will get in free Tuesday and will receive a free luncheon.
Annual harness racing post times are 1:30 p.m. for Sunday, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
“We’re one of the last of the county fairs that still has harness racing,” Dallas said.
The Ed Cox Shotokan Karate Demonstration is at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Then the bell sounds for Big Time Wrestling at 7:30.
“Bobby Fulton puts on wrestling shows throughout the state,” Dallas said.
Finishing the week is the Demolition Derby at 7:30 p.m.
“It’s all going to be really neat,” Dallas said. “We’re really excited about the fair, and the weather looks good for the week.”
Daily admission is $7 and includes all rides.
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