Meet the woman who leads the charge of organizing the Stephenson County Fair

The Stephenson County Fair Association is getting ready to host the 2023 Stephenson County Fair, but there’s a lot more than meets the eye with this non-profit.

We caught up with the executive manager for the Stephenson County Fair Association, Kate Boyer, to help get you ready for this year's fair.

What makes the Stephenson County Fair and its community so special?

“It’s less commercialized and much more community focused. Instead of spending $10,000 on racing pigs, we have Stephenson County firemen running an obstacle course,” Boyer said. “Instead of having recycled entertainment, we try to engage with the community.”

The local dance studios, high schools, or churches will come and do performances instead. A lot of times these performances aren’t something the general public gets to see so this allows them to do something that’s open to all of Stephenson County.

What have you loved about working with the Stephenson County Fair Association?

“We have so much talent in this town, yet it still has the hometown vibe that I loved from a smaller community,” Boyer said. “Being able to do events in that environment has been great. We can provide the space that the community can come together in.”

Boyer was born and raised in a small town in Champaign County, but she’s found a strong community in Stephenson County. The community is the best part about working for the Stephenson County Fair Association, she said.

“Fairs, back in the day, were the place where people would come and see each other, have competitions, and showcase the best of what your county has,” Boyer said. “It got a little commercialized in the '70s and we’re bringing it back to what it was- a place to showcase your community.”

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Why do you go to the fair every year?

Boyer said she didn't grow up with county fairs, but learned to love them as an adult because she got to learn where her food comes from and enjoys hearing the stories of local farmers.

“It’s a beautiful and unique experience that urban folks don’t get to see firsthand," Boyer said.

Boyer learned through the fair that Stephenson County is the second-largest dairy producer in Illinois. For a long time, it was the largest until a mega-dairy farm moved into the state.

Because of the prevalence of dairy in Stephenson County, Kolb-Lena sponsored a mobile dairy classroom at the fair that allows people to experience the dairy process from the cow all the way to the glass. This classroom is one of the many new experiences available at the 2023 fair.

What’s happening at the fairgrounds in the off-season?

In the off-season, the fairground becomes a space for the community to use and gather in more than 18 buildings on the fairgrounds.

“We try to utilize the facilities as much as possible and I don’t think a lot of people see that,” Boyer said. “They see the fair and think that’s all that it does, but we actually do have it open to the community for the rest of the year.”

The fairgrounds will host a Juneteenth Arts Fair on June 17.

What’s the hardest part about planning the fair that people might not realize?

“Making sure all the moving parts happen in this very coordinated dance that has to happen to make sure everyone has what they need, when they need it and in the way that they need it,” Boyer said. “We try and do customer service first. If there are special needs for an organization or a community member, we want to make sure that those things are taken care of.”

From that, the fair has been working towards making the fairgrounds more accessible for those with mobility issues. Thanks to grant funding, there are new ramps for people to access the building easier. The fair will also now offer shuttles around the fairgrounds.

What can people look forward to at this year’s fair?

The fair will offer several new things this year, including an entire aisle in the commercial building with booths that will change daily.

On day one, visitors can meet with the local government and the school districts. Day 2 will focus on non-profit organizations. Day 3 will showcase service clubs and organizations. Days 4 and 5 are dedicated to businesses.

“It’s taken off like wildfire. It’s been a really cool way to get the word out about things,” Boyer said. “There’s a ton of nonprofits that I didn’t even know existed in Stephenson County.”

More than 75 businesses have signed up already for that opportunity this year.

Another new attraction this year visitors can enjoy is the Pretty Bird Paradise where they can feed and interact with more than 300 birds.

The army will have a 50-foot gaming trailer for people to enjoy.

What events are at the grandstand this year?

The tractor pulls will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday. Friday will have a large rodeo, and Saturday is the demolition derby.

When is this year’s fair?

The 2023 Stephenson County Fair runs July 25 through 29 at the Stephenson County Fairgrounds on Walnut Road in Freeport. Admission for veterans is free on Tuesday.

Jena Kleindl is a freelance correspondent.

This article originally appeared on Journal Standard: Stephenson County Fair organizer Kate Boyer discusses this year's fair