In Northwest Illinois we always must share the roads with farm machinery, but this is particularly true during harvest season. Remember that farm machinery travels much slower than normal traffic, so be prepared to slow down to avoid crashes when you see farm equipment or when travelling in rural areas.
This annual event begins on Friday, August 1 and ends on Sunday, August 3, 2014 at the Stephenson County Fairgrounds, 2250 S. Walnut, Freeport, Illinois. Friday and Saturday from 7 am to 8 pm, and Sunday 7 am to 5 pm. It offers over 300 antique steam and horse-powered engines and equipment, and gas engines. This year’s feature is Allis-Chalmers tractors and equipment. There will be a huge parade daily at 1 pm, a large flea market, a large display building offering a large antique transportation display, home antiques, crafts, demonstrations, and farm miniatures. Gasoline Alley which will feature Rawleigh, Rawleigh-Schryer and Ziegler-Schryer gas engines and products, sawmill, and blacksmith shop. Also ride the Silver Creek and Stephenson Railroad antique steam train. Food is offered including a variety of food stands, plus breakfast from 7 am to 9:30 am and a noon dinner from 11 am until 1 pm. A Farmer’s Hitch Class Horse Pull will be offered on Friday at 6:30 pm. A Midwest Championship Antique Tractor Pull will be held on Saturday. On Sunday, there will be a kiddie tractor pull after the parade.
For more information, go to http://www.thefreeportshow.com/show.htm
The fair began on Tuesday, July 8 and runs through July 13 at the Stephenson County Fairgrounds, 2250 S. Walnut Road, Freeport, from 8 am to 10 pm.
July 9: Monster Truck Show, 7:30 pm, Free.
July 10: Lucas Oil Midwest Summer Nationals Tractor Pull, 1 pm: Free; 7 pm: $10.
July 11: Lucas Oil Midwest Summer Nationals Tractor Pull, 1 pm: $5; 7 pm: $10.
July 12: Country music artist, Jerrod Niemann. See information at his website at http://www.jerrodniemannofficial.com/. His special guest will be Chris Cavanaugh (see http://www.chriscavanaughmusic.com/home). 7:45 pm, Standing room only and track seating: $20; general grandstand seating: $10 through July 6 and $12 after July 6.
July 13: Demolition Derby, 2 pm, $10
For a full schedule of events and activities go to http://www.stephensoncountyfair.org/home.html
Stephenson County Farmers Market, Tuesday (12 – 4 pm) and Saturday (8 am to 1 pm) until October 28, 1805 S. West Avenue (Logan’s Bar & Grill Parking Lot), Freeport.
Freeport Farmers Market, Saturdays 7 to 11 am until October 4, 721 W. South Street (CVS Parking Lot), Freeport.
Highland Farmers Market, Wednesdays 3 to 6 pm, June 4 – October 1, Highland Community College, Parking Lot C, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport.
Lena Farmers Market, Saturdays 8 to 11 am, June 7 – October 4, 100 W. Main, Lena.
Fall is in the air in Seattle like the Midwest. The pictures taken in Seattle show a foggy afternoon and at the Pike Place Market fresh flowers, vegetables, and of course fish. It does not look like a Midwestern farmers’ market in the middle of October.
In Northwest Illinois drivers should always be on the lookout for farm equipment, but at this time of the year we should be even more vigilant since farmers will be moving grain and equipment between fields.
This is the 10th and final year for the barn tour. It runs from 1 to 4:30 pm . You can spend a leisurely fall afternoon in the country on a self guided tour of three unique barns in Stephenson County where you will learn the stories behind their distinctive charm. There will be a special presentation at The Rafters Restaurant, 9426 W. Wagner Road, Lena at 3:15 pm. Knoxville, IL barn restorationist, Trillium Dell Timberworks, will present the program. Refreshments and tours of The Rafters will be offered. (Call Martha Ebbesmeyer at 815.235.2165 for details)
See the world’s first 30-row corn head and some of the latest technology in farming such as crop scouting drones. For more details go to http://farmprogressshow.com/main.aspx
Mark your calendars for the 2014 show which will be in Boone, Iowa August 26 – 28. The show is always Tuesday through Thursday during the week just before the Labor Day holiday weekend and alternates between Decatur, Illinois and Boone, Iowa.
Good Day Illinois - Happenings in Northwest Illinois 