The 2023 Lee County Fair & 4-H Show is July 27th-30th, at the Lee Co. 4-H Center & Fairgrounds, 1196 Franklin Rd., Amboy. The four-day event is a throwback to the old-time county fair with petting zoo, pony rides, midway of games, bounce houses, a barrel train, axe throwing and the County Fair Speedway.
The Lee County Fair Association is now accepting entries for the 2023 Jr. Show and the new Open Show.
“An open show is another avenue to welcome more people to the fair experience by exhibiting projects in a few non-livestock, general project departments,” said Katie Pratt, secretary.
Pratt said the Lee Co. Fair Association choose to start small, opening entries in three departments: Cooking / Baking; Floral / Gardening; and Fibers / Arts.
The Open Show is open to any resident from any county of any age. 4-H members and jr. show participants may enter the open show with projects not already entered in the 4-H show or jr. show. Entries must be submitted by July 1st. Fee per entry is $2.00 with a limit of two entries per class. In the Cooking/Baking department pies, yeast breads and sweets (cookies, candies) can be entered. In Floral / Gardening, participants can enter vegetables, flowers, and floral arrangements with a retro theme. In Fibers / Arts, quilts, sewing projects, photography and other art displays are welcome. A professional and amateur category are available in the Floral Arrangement and Photography categories.
All rules, details and entry information can be found at www.leecounty4hcenter.com under Lee Co. Open Show.
The jr. show is open to youth ages 8 to 20, as of September 1st, 2022. Project departments include all livestock and small animals, as well as visual arts, mechanical sciences and crops. Visual arts projects can be any art project created using paper, fiber, metal, mixed media, cake decorating, natural materials, etc. Mechanical sciences projects include model rocketry, electricity projects, woodworking and computer work. Youth need not be 4-H members to participate. Visit www.leecounty4hcenter.com to find the online entry form and department and class descriptions. Entries are due July 1st.
Grandstand events include tractor, garden tractor and truck pulls and a rodeo. New this year is the Cincinnati Circus Thrill Show, Sunday, July 30th, 1 p.m. Entrance is free.
Returning to the fair schedule on Sunday, July 30th, is the Marketplace featuring local crafters, artisans, farmer’s market vendors, and home-based business products. The Marketplace is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Spaces are available. Contact the fair office via facebook or at (815) 857-2603.
A full fair schedule and more information about other great fair activities and events is posted at www.leecounty4hcenter.com or like “Lee Co. Fair & 4-H Show” on facebook or Instagram for the latest information.
