A Day at the Fair
Eight ladies and a youth (all unidentified) on their way to the McHenry County Fair in their 1912 model Packard. The grandstand appears in the background. Political speeches were popular and most likely one of the main attractions at the fair that year.
The revival of the modern fair began in the late 1940s when a number of youth were involved in 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA), and Future Homemakers of America (FHA) projects. Up to that point, 4-H contests were held on the football field of Woodstock High School.
From the Don Peasley Photo Collection: Harness racing at the McHenry County Fair in 1955.
From the Don Peasley Photo Collection: 4-H Livestock Champion animals at the 1954 McHenry County Fair. From left: Richard Matthews, Huntley, Holstein; Larry Behrens, Harvard, Ayrshire; Charles Wiese, Huntley, Brown Swiss; Darlene Nevel, Garden Prairie, Jersey; and Clarence Rudolph, Spring Grove, Guernsey.
From the Don Peasley Photo Collection: July, 1968. Aerial view of the McHenry County Fairgrounds and race track looking south towards Route 47.
From the Don Peasley Photo Collection: The grandstand at the McHenry County fairgrounds in the late 1980s.
From the Don Peasley Photo Collection: Marlowe Feed and Hatchery Booth at the 1969 McHenry County Fair with incubator hatching eggs. From left: Henry Marlowe; Fran Donahue, Huntley, 4-H Queen; and Helen Marlowe.
This is an aerial view showing the McHenry County fairgrounds in 1952. The corn field eventually became part of the fairgrounds. The triangular plot in center of grounds became the location of McDonald's Restaurant in the 1970's.
From the Don Peasley Photo Collection: 1961 McHenry County Fair Royalty. From left: Patricia Larson, Miss McHenry County; David Gardner and Cindy Jackson (Gardner), 4-H king and queen; and Patricia Hogan (Parsley), McHenry County Dairy Princess.
From the Don Peasley Photo Collection: Harness racing at the McHenry County Fair in 1955 before the grandstand audience.
The parking area for the McHenry County fair grounds, circa 1915-1920.
From the Don Peasley Photo Collection: Pat McFarlin, Harvard, 1952 McHenry County Fair Queen with Hickory Creek Farm Champion cow.
McHenry County Fair
The McHenry County Fair originally started in 1854 and closed in 1924. The McHenry County Fair Association reopened on their current property in Woodstock in May of 1949 and has continued holding events on the McHenry County Fairgrounds ever since.
The McHenry County Fair Association, a nonprofit group that consists of 22 Board of Directors and 100+ members who work hard year round for the success of not only the week-long fair in the beginning of August, but for other events that take place throughout the year.
”Agriculture is the backbone of McHenry County and the association’s purpose is to continue to promote and provide areas for growth,” they said. “We provide events that support our main purpose and give community members opportunities for entertainment.”