Edgar County Fair set to bring the party

In its 162-year history, the Edgar County Fair has provided spectacle, amusement and summertime memories to attendees. This year, the Fair is providing something new: a “party barn.”

According to Edgar County Fair Board member Mark Brinkerhoff, the fairgrounds, located at 1104 North Main Street in Paris, will play host to a party barn for the first time in its history. One of the grounds’ historic livestock buildings will be transformed to accommodate two nights of entertainment, completely free to the public. Other free acts will also be available on the grounds earlier in the week.

“I’ve been on the board for several years…” Brinkerhoff said. “This is something that I’ve wanted to do for a while.”

Early in the week, live wood carving shows promise to impress south of the restrooms. Later, two acts are set to christen the new barn-turned-concert-venue – bringing country music and 80s rock to the stage.

• Bear Hollow Wood Carvers will perform three days straight, with multiple shows each day spanning Saturday, July 20 to Monday, July 22. Bear Hollow boasts a talented crew of artists from across the country, each with a knack for turning wooden logs into detailed sculptures. The primary draw of Bear Hollow’s artistic endeavors is their tool of choice: chainsaws. Whether competing in tournaments or hosting live shows, Bear Hollow’s carvers use chainsaws to cut, shave and sculpt every element of their detailed pieces. “Some of the other county fairs we talked to said they’ve had them (Bear Hollow), and people really enjoyed it,” said Brinkerhoff. These shows will be held on the fairgrounds south of the restrooms, not in the party barn.
• The era of big hair and rock and roll will make its triumphant return on Friday, July 26. Big Guns, an 80s rock and roll cover band, will perform in the Edgar County Fair party barn. Admission is free.
• Finally, hometown favorite Whiskey Sour will take the stage to close out the party barn’s debut on Saturday, July 27. The band includes Paris natives Cam and Alex Elmore, John McKown and Eric Hendrickson, as well as Dana, Indiana’s Halea Ellis.

For Brinkerhoff and the fair board, offering free shows poses a potential solution to an issue county fairs across the country are facing – attendance. With no admissions fees and varied performances for audiences to experience, Brinkerhoff hopes to attract a new crowd.

“When we went to the fair convention in Springfield in January, it seemed like all the fairs are trying to do some free sideshows – to make it more affordable since everything’s expensive,” he explained.

The addition of new varieties of entertainment is not a departure from the traditions of the Edgar County Fair, but an invitation to a new generation. Brinkerhoff emphasized the importance of attracting a youthful audience to the fair.

“You’re going to have to change with the times, and I think we’re wanting to change and try to pull in a younger crowd, a different crowd, to get them interested in the county fair… because county fairs across Illinois and probably the United States are slowly dying out,” he said. “That’s where the push is, just to try to get the younger generation involved.”

Even though each show will be free, Brinkerhoff hopes the open admission will encourage patrons to invest in the fair in other ways.

“(We’re going to) maybe grab some people that wouldn’t necessarily come because they want to come listen to the band. And then maybe while they’re there, they’ll go have a corndog or visit one of the food vendors,” he said.

In addition to the usual deep-fried delicacies and fan-favorite grub available on the fairway, alcohol will be available in the party barn during the Big Guns and Whiskey Sour sets. The Fair Board also has plans to monetize the wooden sculptures crafted by Bear Hollow’s crew.

“The fair will own the pieces when they’re done with them, so I think we’re going to try to auction them off to help offset the cost of the carvers, because that’s also another sideline show that, (if) people want to come watch them, it’s free,” Brinkerhoff explained.

In the end, Brinkerhoff hopes the wood carving exhibitions and the party barn concerts will offer a new way to share the magic of the Edgar County Fair with the community. With several other improvements on the grounds, including a reconstructed horse barn and a bright new LED sign, he believes there has never been a better time to visit the fairgrounds, especially for anyone who hasn’t made the trip in years past.

“(I hope they) just come out if they haven’t been and walk around and see the fairgrounds, because we’ve done some improvements this year and… we’d just like to see people come out,” he concluded.

To learn more about the Edgar County Fair party barn and other events happening during Fair Week, visit edgarcountyfair.com.

2024 EDGAR COUNTY FREE ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

Saturday, July 20

Bear Hollow Wood Carvers* – 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Sunday, July 21

Bear Hollow Wood Carvers* – 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Monday, July 22

Bear Hollow Wood Carvers* – 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Friday, July 26

Big Guns Concert** – 8 p.m.

Beer Tent

Saturday, July 27

Whiskey Sour Concert** – 8 p.m.

Beer Tent

*Shows will be held south of the restrooms.

**Concerts will be held in the party barn