Champaign County Fair Fun for Families

Are you ready for some Champaign County Fair action? Because here it comes, from July 21-29.

(Before you go any further, this is the Champaign County Fair in Urbana, Illinois. NOT Ohio. Just to clear that up!)

Chambanamoms.com thanks the Champaign County Fair for presenting this guide

The Champaign County Fair has been a tradition since the early 1850’s. At the fair you can see 4-H, Open, and Junior Open livestock and non-livestock shows, educational displays revolving around conservation and agriculture, various vendors from businesses and organizations across the county, a carnival, and a variety of ground and grandstand entertainment. It is an event where families can come to create summertime memories that last a lifetime!

For more information: Website or Facebook

Editor’s Note: All information subject to change at any time. The official Champaign County Fair website is here and you can follow on Facebook by clicking here.

Are you looking for the schedule for the Champaign County Fair? Jump right to it now.

Important things to note when it comes to the 2023 Champaign County Fair

What: Champaign County Fair
Where: Champaign County Fairgrounds, Urbana (behind Carle Foundation Hospital). Free parking is available.
When: Friday, July 21 through Saturday, July 29. Hours vary by the day.
How much: $8 per adult 13 and up; $2 per child ages 6-12; 5 and under free with paid adult. Only cash accepted at the gate.

A Crowd Favorite: Monster Trucks

Catch some BIG monster trucks in action at 7 p.m. on July 27. Tickets are $10 per person for general admission ($12 for reserved box seats), on top of fair admission.

Something Fun: Touch-A-Truck

The last day of the fair is First Responder Day. Enjoy Touch-A-Truck at the fair on Saturday, July 29 from 1 – 4 p.m.

Must Know Info: No Backpacks and Leave Your Food in the Car

The Champaign County Fair has a bag policy for attending this event. Bags, purses, and clutches measuring 10″ by 10″ are acceptable. Clear bags not required but are preferred. No backpacks allowed. All persons subject to screening at the fair. Other than formula in a diaper bag (with your child), any other bags, including coolers with food, must be left in the car.

General Tips

TICKETS AHEAD OF TIME: You can buy general admission to the fair ahead of time at the fair box office by calling (217) 367-8461.

BUT … BRING CASH! While you can pay ahead with a credit card now for things such as grandstand tickets, many food vendors do not take anything but cash and the gate only accepts cash. So if you want to get in, drink your favorite lemon shake-up or eat funnel cakes or french fries, be sure to have some green with you. There is an ATM on site that is not operated by the fair; no guarantees that it will be operating.

KIDS 6-12 GET IN FOR $2: Children ages 6-12 are $2 each this year; 5 and under, when accompanied by an adult over 18, are not charged an admission fee. Adults (over 13) are $8. All kids 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult while at the fair.

GET A WRISTBAND IF YOU PLAN TO LEAVE AND RETURN: If you leave the fairgrounds, you will need to have your paper wristband attached to your wrist to re-enter later in the day.

YOU MAY NOT BRING IN FOOD: In conjunction with the bag policy at the fair, you may not bring in your own food (except for baby food/formula in a diaper bag with your child).

PARKING IS FREE: No extra fee for parking at the fair!

CARNIVAL PRICING AND HOURS: Ride tickets are $1.25 each or 22 tickets for $20 (with the exception of bracelet days and other special events, see below). Two tickets are average per ride. The carnival at the fair goes until around 10 or 11 p.m. each night; no guarantees on what time exactly it will shut down each night.

Want a deal? Here’s how to make the most of your fair budget:

BRACELET DAYS

If your family loves the midway, then head to the carnival during bracelet days, where you get unlimited rides for $30 (one bracelet per person). To make the most of it, get there when it starts and stay the duration through the end of the bracelet time frame. Bracelet days and times are:

Sunday, July 23, noon-5 p.m.
Tuesday, July 25, 5-10:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 29, noon-5 p.m.

CARNIVAL FREEBIES and DISCOUNTS

Monday, July 24 from 10 a.m. to noon, it’s preschool day, where the only rides available are in Kiddie Land. Discounted or free tickets will be available to pre-school children only (4 and under generally).

Thursday, July 27 from 1-4 p.m. will be free limited ride booklets at the carnival. Booklets WILL run out quickly. Additional tickets may be purchased, all rides may not be included.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY EVENTS

All events require standard fair admission.

The Draft Horse Show on Sunday, July 23 at 4 p.m. is $3 admission per person. Draft horse pulls are at noon; also $3 per person.
Harness racing on July 25 at 6 p.m. offers free general admission. Get a taste of horse racing right here in Central Illinois.
Touch A Truck is free between 1-4 p.m. on First Responder Day, July 29.

WE ALSO RECOMMEND

Go see the animals! Animals will start heading to the barns on Sunday, shows start on Monday.
The 4-H animal judging (animals raised by 4-H participants) is Thursday, July 27, starting at 8:15 a.m. It is free to attend.

CARNIVAL HOURS

*Carnival hours subject to change at the discretion of the owner. Rides may end before listed time.

Friday, July 21 5-11 p.m.*

Saturday, July 22 1-11 p.m.*

Sunday, July 23 Noon-10 p.m.*
$30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet: noon -5 p.m.

Monday, July 24 5-10 p.m.*
Pre-School Rides in Kiddie Land 10 a.m.-noon

Tuesday, July 25 5-10 p.m.*
$30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet: 5-10:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 26 5-10 p.m.*

Thursday, July 27 5-10 p.m.*
Limited Ride Booklets (Ages 3-12) 1-4 p.m.

Friday, July 28 5-11 p.m.*

Saturday, July 29 Noon-11 p.m.*
$30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet: Noon-5 p.m.

GENERAL FAIR SCHEDULE

All information subject to change at any time.

2023 Schedule of Events

Friday, July 21 Preview Night
9 a.m. – 4-H Horse Show
4 p.m. – Gates Open
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
6:30 p.m. – Dirt Track Racing
9 p.m. – New Twang City, Beer Pavilion

Saturday, July 22 Military Day
10 a.m. – Judging for Kesler Hall Exhibits
10 a.m. – Gates Open
Noon – 4 p.m. – Military Day Activities
1 p.m. – Carnival Opens
5 p.m. – Demolition Derby
7 p.m. – Cougar Trap, Beer Pavilion

Sunday, July 23 Western Day
10 a.m. – Gates Open
10 a.m. – Horse Show
Noon – Carnival Opens
Noon-5 p.m. – $30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet
Noon – Draft Horse Pull
4 p.m. – Draft Horse Show

Monday, July 24 Kids Day
8 a.m. – Open Swine Show
8:30 a.m. – Open Dairy & Sheep Shows
10 a.m. – Gates Open
10 a.m.-noon – Pre-School Rides in Kiddie Land
4:45-5:45 p.m. – Jaxson Dillon-Fish, Beer Pavilion
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
6 p.m. – The Boat Drunks
9 p.m. – Jaxson Dillon-Fish, Beer Pavilion

Tuesday, July 25 Senior Citizen Day
8:30 a.m. – Open Beef Show
10 a.m. – Gates Open
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Activities for Seniors
1:30 p.m. – Junior Dairy Show
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
5 p.m.-10:30 p.m. – $30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet
6 p.m. – Harness Racing

Wednesday, July 26 Livestock Day
8 a.m. – Junior Swine Show
8:30 a.m. – Junior Beef & Sheep Shows
10 a.m. – Gates Open
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
6 p.m. – Motorcycle Races
7 p.m. – Tom Grassman Band, Beer Pavilion

Thursday, July 27 4H Day
8:15 a.m. – 4-H Livestock Shows
10 a.m. – Gates Open
1 p.m.-4 p.m. – Limited Ride Booklets (Age 3-12)
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
7 p.m. – Monster Trucks

Friday, July 28
10 a.m. – Gates Open
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
7:30 p.m. – Brothers Osborne with Matt Stell
9 p.m. – DJ, Beer Pavilion

Saturday, July 29 First Responder Day
10 a.m. – Gates Open
Noon – ITPA Tractor Pull
Noon – Carnival Opens
Noon-5 p.m. – $30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet
1 p.m.-4 p.m. Touch-A-Truck
3 p.m. – Jaxson Dillon-Fish, Beer Pavilion
6 p.m. – IPA Tractor & Semi-Truck Pull

Champaign County Fair Fun for Families: Preview, Highlights, Tips and Ways to Save