The McHenry County Fair

05/06/2026

Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls… with only 90 days left, the countdown to summer fun officially begins NOW!

🎉 Tickets are ON SALE for the 2026 happening August 4–9, 2026! 🎉

Get ready for 6 days packed with thrills, horsepower, hometown tradition, fair food, live entertainment, carnival rides, and memories the whole family will love.

2026 Grandstand Schedule:
Tuesday – Miss McHenry County Fair Pageant
Wednesday – Draft Horse Pulls & Veterans Salute
Thursday – Quad Racing by Kickabuda Promotions
Friday – Next Level Bull Riding Rodeo & Alex Miller Afterparty
Saturday – Tractor & Truck Pulls & Feudin’ Hillbillies Afterparty
Sunday – Demolition Derby by 4WD Promotions

PLUS tons of daily FREE events, livestock shows, carnival rides, incredible fair food, exhibits, music, and so much more!

🎟️ Grab your tickets now before the best seats are gone: 🎟️
mchenrycountyfair.com/tickets

We’ll see you at the fairgrounds!

Your ticket to experience the carnival rides, fair foods, view exhibitions, and attend all general fair events. Tickets priced for Adults, Children, Seniors or Veterans. SEASON PASS option for six days of fair fun!

04/01/2026

✨ Registration is NOW OPEN ✨

Are you ready to step into the spotlight, build confidence, and represent the McHenry County Fair? The Miss McHenry County Fair Pageant is an incredible opportunity to grow, make lifelong memories, and be part of a proud local tradition.

Open to young women ready to shine and make a difference in our community.

Ready to take the first step?

👉 Register here: https://form.jotform.com/missmchenrycountyfairpageant/2026-ENTRY

👉 Learn more: mchenrycountyfair.com/miss-mchenry-county-fair/

We can’t wait to see who will wear the crown in 2026

04/01/2026

✨ NEW EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT ✨

We’re excited to introduce a brand new competition at this year’s McHenry County Fair…

The First Annual Chicken Karaoke Contest

Does your bird have what it takes to be the most talented chicken in McHenry County? Choose their favorite song, start practicing, and get them prim and proper for their big debut!

Auditions open soon.

Happy April Fools’ Day from the McHenry County Fair!

03/17/2026

The McHenry County Fair community is saddened to hear of the passing of Orion Samuelson, a true voice of rural America.

For decades, Orion shared the stories of farmers and agricultural communities through his work on WGN Radio, always championing county and state fairs and the traditions they represent.

Orion made several visits to the McHenry County Fair over the years, and in 2023 we were honored to dedicate Building D in his name in recognition of his lifelong support of agriculture and rural communities.

His voice and passion for agriculture will be deeply missed.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire agricultural community.

03/07/2026

⏰ Don’t forget… we’re springing forward Sunday! ⏰

Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 AM on Sunday, so be sure to set your clocks ahead one hour before you head to bed Saturday Night.

Longer days mean we’re one step closer to fair season and those late summer nights at the McHenry County Fair.

Set those clocks and get ready to spring into brighter days! 🌷

03/06/2026

LAST CHANCE!

The McHenry County 4-H Youth Foundation is hosting a Spring Plant Fundraiser through March 9 to raise funds that directly support the McHenry County 4-H program!

Find out more about plant types and ordering here:
https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2026-02-24-2026-spring-plant-sale-fundraiser

02/16/2026

🚨 CALLING ALL SPONSORS 🚨

The 2026 McHenry County Fair is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet, and we’re inviting local businesses to join us as sponsors!

Sponsorships offer:
✔ On-site recognition
✔ Social media promotion
✔ Fair tickets & grandstand access
✔ Website exposure
✔ And the chance to support local youth, schools, and agriculture

Also, did you know that the Fair Foundation is a 501(c)(3), so donations are tax deductible?

Contact the fair office at (815) 338-5315 for more information, or visit https://mchenrycountyfair.com/sponsorship/

Let’s make 2026 unforgettable together!

01/18/2026

Good Luck to our Miss McHenry County Pageants Queen!

01/16/2026

01/14/2026

Are you interested in vending at the 2026 McHenry County Fair?

Well here's your chance! Click the link below to get information about being a vendor at this year's fair.

FYI: There are a lot of scam accounts out there, all dealings will be done with the MCFA office, please do not send any money for vendor applications to anyone.

Vendor Application can be found here: https://mchenrycountyfair.com/vendors/