The Whiteside County 154th Fair is approaches, and another impressive lineup of entertainment is in place that is sure to wow all crowds! The Fair opens on Tuesday, August 12, and completes after five amazing days on Saturday, August 16t, 2025. You will not want to miss it! The 154th annual Fair, held at the Whiteside County Fairgrounds, 201 W. Winfield Street, Morrison, IL, has many exciting attractions and something for everyone.
On Tuesday, August 12, the evening entertainment is Next Level Pro-Bull Riding starting at 7:00 p.m. Cheer on as these brave cowboys prepare to hang on for eight seconds while their four-legged nemesis tries to spoil their plan. Other events are the Pleasure Horse Show at 9:00 a.m.; Open Swine Judging at noon; Jr. Swine Judging at 4:30 p.m.; Kids Tractor Pedal Pull at 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 13, at 7:00 p.m., we will have Next Level Pro-Bronc Riding. This event will involve a rodeo participant riding a bucking horse (sometimes called Bronco) that attempts to throw or buck off the rider before the eight seconds are up. Originally based on the necessary buck breaking skills of a working cowboy, the event is now a highly stylized competition, that utilizes horses that often are specially bred for strength, agility, and bucking ability. Other events during the day are the Exhibition Barrels that will start at 8:00 a.m., with Western Horse Speed events and Dairy Judging at 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, August 14, the 7:00 p.m. grandstand entertainment will be Full Throttle Monster Trucks featuring the world-famous “BIG FOOT,” followed by our popular fireworks show. If you missed the amazing show last year, you will not want to miss it this year, for the 50th Anniversary of BIG FOOT at the Whiteside County Fair. You will see spectacular jumps by these monster trucks. Make sure you stay to the very end, so you can see the fireworks right after the show. Other events that day will start at 9:00 a.m. with the Beef Cattle-Jr. Show being judged at the Beef Show Arena. The Heavy Horse Hitches, including 4 Horse will be in front of the grandstand at 9:00 a.m., with Heavy Horse Halter Classes at 1:00 p.m. in front of the grandstand.
Friday, August 15, The Illini State Pullers Association brings in their “souped up” Tractors and Trucks. They will pull the heavy-weighted sled showing off the horsepower under the hood in front of the grandstand, at 6:30 p.m. right after the Antique Tractor Parade that starts at 5:30 p.m. During the morning at 9:00 a.m. the Heavy Horse Hitch Classes will be shown in front of the grandstand. The Open Beef Show will be judged in the Beef Show Arena at 9:00 a.m. At 1:00 p.m. the Heavy Horses come back as they thunder in front of the grandstand to entertain you with the Big 6 Horse and Unicorn Hitches.
Saturday, August 16, at 6:30 p.m., the car-crushing, adrenaline-pumping, smoke-filled Demolition Derby will finish off five fabulous days of crowd-pleasing entertainment and what is sure to be an amazing experience for all who attend! The horses are at the post as Harness Racing is on the track at 12:00 noon. Some other events on Saturday are Kids Tractor Pedal Pull at 11:00 a.m. and Wood Carving Auction at 4:00 p.m. As always, the Fair Board works very hard to provide something for everyone. Please come and enjoy the Fair!
The Mega Band is back again this year, and the Wilson Family Show will entertain fairgoers with their outstanding carnival and midway attractions. Patrons can ride unlimited rides every day for $65 (if purchased in advance the week before the Fair at the Secretary’s Office) or $75 during the fair. Granpa Crachet Stage Show returns with our Bike Give Away each day and the Cake/Pie Walk. Pony rides, Petting Zoo, and Barnyard Revue/Pig Races add to the fun. These will be throughout the day, every day.
Thank you for supporting the Whiteside County Fair. There is no doubt without your continued support, our Fair would not remain as we have enjoyed over the years. It is no secret with the budget cuts the State of Illinois has imposed, we need your help and support to keep our Fair going strong. We then can continue with this important part of our County’s heritage for years to come.
Check out www.whitesidecountyfair.org for more information about the Fair.
We can’t wait to see you there!
