Old-fashioned fun in Champaign area

  • 2020-04-22
A traditional county fair is on the way to the Champaign area.

The Champaign County Fair will be held in neighboring Urbana, at the County Fairgrounds. A true county fair, the event comprises livestock exhibits, a beauty pageant, harness races, vendors, a demolition derby, lots of deliciously unhealthy fair food, carnival rides courtesy of Tinsley's Amusements, live entertainment, and more.

Although the list of exhibitors is still being finalized, the lineup of grandstand events includes one of rock's most iconic bands, plus noted country musicians. The Beach Boys first got together in 1961 in Hawthorne, California, and embody the “California Sound” in hits like “Kokomo,” “In My Room,” and the iconic “Good Vibrations.”

Country singer/songwriter Billy Currington has had 20 hits in the Top 40. He's bringing Rayne Johnson and Randy Houser with him. Johnson is a country singer who adds a bit of soul to traditional songs, giving them a fresh sound. Randy Houser is also a country singer and songwriter who hit the charts in 2008 with “Anything Goes,” an original work.

The fair opens July 23 and runs through August 1. The Beach Boys will appear July 23, at 7.30 pm, and Billy Currington and his friends will be there the following night, at 7.00 pm. The carnival hours are typically 5.00 pm until 11.00 pm weeknights, and either 12.00 pm or 1.00 pm until 11.00 pm weekends. Flyer printing can be used to provide handouts for this type of event.