Champaign County Fair Fun for Families

Are you ready for some Champaign County Fair action? Because here it comes, from July 19-27

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

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 2024 Champaign County Fair

Where: Champaign County Fairgrounds, Urbana (behind Carle Foundation Hospital). Free parking is available.
When: Friday, July 19 through Saturday, July 27. 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 24. Tickets are $10 per person for general admission ($12 for reserved box seats), on top of fair admission.

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. We recommend using a clear small bag for a diaper bag if you want to carry it into the fairgrounds.

General Tips

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

BUT … BRING CASH! While you can pay ahead with a credit card in advance 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, 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 21, noon-5 p.m.
Tuesday, July 23, 5-10:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 27, noon-5 p.m.

CARNIVAL FREEBIES and DISCOUNTS

Monday, July 22 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 for pre-school children only (4 and under generally).

Thursday, July 25 from 1-4 p.m. will be free limited ride booklets at the carnival for kids ages 3-12. 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 21 at 4 p.m. is $3 admission per person. Draft horse pulls are at noon; also $3 per person.
Harness racing on July 23 at 6 p.m. offers free general admission. Get a taste of horse racing right here in Central Illinois.

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 25, 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 19 5-11 p.m.*

Saturday, July 20 1-11 p.m.*

Sunday, July 21 Noon-10 p.m.*
$30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet: noon -5 p.m.

Monday, July 22 5-10 p.m.*
Pre-School Rides in Kiddie Land 10 a.m.-noon

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

Wednesday, July 24 5-10 p.m.*

Thursday, July 25 5-10 p.m.*
Limited Ride Booklets (Ages 3-12) 1-4 p.m.

Friday, July 26 5-11 p.m.*

Saturday, July 27 Noon-11 p.m.*
$30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet: Noon-5 p.m.

GENERAL FAIR SCHEDULE

All information subject to change at any time.

2024 Schedule of Events

Friday, July 19 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. – Sawyer Brothers Band, Beer Pavilion

Saturday, July 20 Military Day
10 a.m. – Judging for Kesler Hall Exhibits
10 a.m. – Gates Open
1 p.m. – Carnival Opens
5 p.m. – Demolition Derby
7 p.m. – 80’s Bush, Beer Pavilion

Sunday, July 21 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 22 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 – Preschool Rides in Kiddie Land
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
6 p.m. — Philo Country Band, Memorial Park

Tuesday, July 23 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 24 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
7 p.m. – Monster Trucks
7:30 p.m. – Vivacious Audio, Beer Pavilion

Thursday, July 25 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. – Pro Rodeo
7:30 p.m. — Bubble City Playboys, Beer Pavilion

Friday, July 26
10 a.m. – Gates Open
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
7:30 p.m. — Josh Turner with Tigirlily Gold *concert tickets required*
9 p.m. – DJ, Beer Pavilion

Saturday, July 27 First Responder Day
10 a.m. – Gates Open
Noon – IPA 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. – ITPA Tractor Pull

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