press releases
August 10, 2023
Whiteside County Fair Press Release
23-07
For further information, contact:
Todd Mickley, Director of Publicity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MORRISON — The Whiteside County Fair has an amazing line up of daily events at this year’s fair and it is sure to please all who attend! The Fair starts on Tuesday, August 15th and completes after five fun filled days on Saturday, August 19th. The 152nd annual fair, held at the fairgrounds in Morrison, IL, has something for everyone that you won’t want to miss!
Here are some of the many things going on during the day.
Cake & Pie Walk Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 4:00 pm.
Chicken Poo Bingo at 3:00 & 5:00 pm. Tuesday – Friday
Granpa Cratchet Stage Show throughout the day.
Kitsie Entertainment Petting Zoo & Pony Rides daily
Bike Give Away – Sign up at the Blue Building during each day and the drawing is Tuesday – Friday 6:00 pm & Saturday 2:00 & 6:00 pm.
Wood Carving every day of the fair with the auction Saturday at 4:00 pm.
Livestock Judged Tuesday – Friday. Check the website schedule for specific times.
Bingo Nightly 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
MABAS display schedule
Friday – Grain bin demo & Safety House
Saturday – Auto Vehicle Extrication & Water Fights
Carnival Ride Wristband Days – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm for a cost of $30.00 Each day.
Carnival Ride MEGA BAND (Anytime carnival is open) Pre-Fair (last day to purchase Monday, August 14th) for $60.00 and Week of the Fair $70.00 (starting Tuesday, August 15th)
Thank you for supporting the Whiteside County Fair. There is no doubt without your continued support, our fair would not have been successful and been able to continue for 152 years. We appreciate your support in keep the fair going strong, so we can continue with this important part of our county’s heritage for years to come. Check out our website for more information about the fair at www.whitesidecountyfair.org
August 7, 2023
Whiteside County Fair Press Release
23-06
For further information, contact:
Todd Mickley, Director of Publicity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MORRISON – Antique tractor buffs will have a heyday at this year’s 152nd Annual Whiteside County Fair, which runs August 15-19.
Display your Antique Tractor at this year’s Whiteside County Fair. Each participant will receive a 152nd Whiteside County Fair plaque to display on their antique tractor. The exhibitors will fire up their engines for the parade about one hour before the start of that evening’s truck and tractor pulls at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 18th. Anyone displaying their Antique Farm Tractor at the 2023 Whiteside County Fair will be required to purchase a Season Membership Pass which will automatically enter them into the exhibition. Due to space constraints, the display will be limited to “restored or good original” tractors. The fair also welcomes for display, hit and miss engines that are in working order. No garden tractors or implements are allowed unless the implements are mounted to the tractor. Pre-registration is recommended and can be done by contacting Ron Shank at 815-772-7157.
For more information about these, or any other fair events, check out the fair’s website at www.whitesidecountyfair.org
Augusts 5, 2023
Whiteside County Fair Press Release
23-05
For further information, contact:
Todd Mickley, Director of Publicity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE 152nd ANNUAL WHITESIDE COUNTY FAIR, WHICH STARTS TUESDAY, AUGUST 15th, AND RUNS THROUGH SATURDAY, AUGUST 19th, WILL HONOR BRUCE “BEAV” HUNTER AS FRIEND OF THE FAIR.
MORRISON – “Friend of the Fair” honorees. Since 1989, the board has sought to honor those who have made an extra effort to support and make the annual Fair as much fun as possible for all those who participate and attend the many shows and events.
The Whiteside County Fair Board is pleased to announce that the 2023 “Friend of the Fair,” is Bruce “Beav” Hunter.
He has consistently volunteered his time and various services for the Whiteside County Fair over the course of many years. He has coordinated the wrecker services for our demolition derbies year after year while often bringing two wreckers of his own to assist on the track in getting the demo cars moved as quickly as possible to keep the show moving for our packed grandstand audiences.
Whenever asked, he has supplied a variety of “out of service” vehicles to our fairgrounds for use in our various thrill shows including this year’s Monster Truck Show. A lesser known contribution, is Beav assisted in the beautification and preservation of our historic round barn, which serves as the symbol and landmark attraction of our fair. In 2013, the roof of the barn was replaced, and prior to that project, it was determined that the spire that sits atop the barn needed a facelift as well. Fair board member Mike Wiersema (whose first job in high school was working with Beav at Hunter’s Body Shop), hand painted the spire and then asked Beav, who graciously accepted, to seal the spire in his body shop to preserve its magnificent beauty for the next decade and beyond.
Beav has been an integral part of our community as the owner/operator of Hunter’s in Morrison. While their main focus of business was previously in collision repair, they are currently focusing on mechanical services for vehicles, including tires and alignments, as well as local towing in the area.
Beav is grateful for the many customers that Hunter’s has assisted for well over 45 years, and we are grateful to consider him a Friend of the Fair!
Thank you for supporting the Whiteside County Fair so we can continue on with this important part of our county’s heritage for years to come. Check out our website for more information about the fair at www.whitesidecountyfair.org
August 2, 2023
Whiteside County Fair Press Release
23-04
For further information, contact:
Todd Mickley, Director of Publicity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WHITESIDE COUNTY FAIR OFFICE HOURS FOR ENTRIES AND TICKET SALES
MORRISON –Whiteside County Fair office will be open for business beginning Monday, Aug. 7th, for the entire week prior to the 152nd annual Whiteside County Fair which kicks off Aug. 15th.
The office of the secretary and treasurer are in the building near the grandstand at the Whiteside County Fairgrounds, in Morrison, and will be open the week before the fair from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7th through Friday, Aug. 11th. Saturday, August 12th the hours will be 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon. During this time they will be accepting hand delivered entries, processing those received by mail, selling reserved grandstand seating for the Demo Derby, season tickets, and Mega Passes.
MEGA PASS – Can be purchased for $60.00 Monday, August 7th through Monday, August 14th. Once the Fair starts, Mega Pass price increases to $70.00 and will need to be purchased from the Carnival. This will let you ride any of the Wilson Family Rides when the Carnival is open during the 2023 Whiteside County Fair.
Reserved grandstand seating for Saturday night’s demolition derby will go on sale Monday, August 7th at 8:00 a.m. in the Secretary’s Office for $10.00 per person. The Demo Derby is the only show that has reserved seating available and is sold on a first-come, first-served basis with a limited number of seats available. Reserved seating may be purchased online beginning Tuesday August 8th at Eventbrite.com. Saving seats by using blankets, etc. for general seating is not allowed. Any items used for saving seats will be removed by the fair staff.
There are no entry fees for exhibits in the Departments of Agriculture, Floriculture, Horticulture, Textiles, Culinary and Hobbies. However, adult exhibitors must purchase the $25.00 season membership ticket and junior exhibitors that are 6-11 years of age must purchase a $5.00 season ticket to enter in junior departments. That ticket allows the exhibitor to enter items in any of the departments listed above and provides unlimited admission to the fairgrounds throughout the fair’s five-day run.
Livestock exhibitors are required to pay exhibit fees and should consult the website for details.
All exhibitors are urged to refer to the website for details on the requirements to enter the various competitions, which this year offers over $119,000 in premiums, purses and prizes. Entries/Premium information can also be downloaded from the fair website at www.whitesidecountyfair.org in the premium section.
Entries must be done online or in writing, with the applicable fees submitted by the appropriate deadlines as listed on the website. All entries close on Saturday August 12, 2023
The office will accommodate those wishing to buy season membership tickets, which allows the ticket-holder unlimited admission to the fair. An adult season membership ticket costs $25.00 each, while a child’s weekly pass is $5.00. Tickets for both children and adults may also be purchased at the gate during the fair. Single adult daily admission for the fair is $10.00 for those 12 years and older, and $2.00 for children ages 6 through 11. Children 5 and under are free.
The fair officially starts at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 15th with the Pleasure Horse Show at the “River Valley Coop Arena” in the infield.
All the information you need to get ready for the Fair is at your fingertips on our website at www.whitesidecountyfair.org. The written inquires can be directed to the Whiteside County Fair, P.O. Box 88, Morrison, IL 61270.
July 20, 2023
Whiteside County Fair Press Release
23-03
For further information, contact:
Todd Mickley, Director of Publicity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MORRISON — The Whiteside County 152nd Fair is less than a month away and another impressive lineup of entertainment is in place that is sure to wow all crowds! The Fair opens on Tuesday, August 15th and completes after five amazing days on Saturday, August 19th, and you will not want to miss it!! The 152ndannual fair, held at the Whiteside County Fairgrounds in Morrison, IL, has many exciting attractions and something for everyone.
On Tuesday, August 15th 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 8 seconds while their four-legged nemesis tries to spoil their plan. Other events to start the fair off 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 16th 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 8 seconds is 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. and Western Horse Speed events and Dairy Judging at 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, August 17th 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. It has been many years since these massive trucks have destroyed cars at the Whiteside County Fair. Not only will you see some spectacular jumps by the 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. and Heavy Horse Halter Classes at 1:00 p.m. also in front of the grandstand.
Friday, August 18th The Illini State Pullers Association brings in their “souped up” Tractors & Trucks that will pull the heavy-weighted sled showing off the horsepower under the hood in front of the grandstand again this year 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 grandstands. The Open Beef Show will be judged in the Beef Show Arena at 9:00 a.m. also. 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 19th at 6:30 p.m., the car crushing, adrenaline pumping, smoke-filled Demolition Derby will finish off the fabulous 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 1:00 p.m. Some other events on Saturday are Kids Tractor Pedal Pull at 11:00 a.m. & 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 of the fair for $60.00 (if purchased in advance the week before the fair at the Secretary’s office) or $70.00 during the fair. Granpa Cratchet Stage Show will return this year along with our Bike Give Away each day of the fair and the Cake/Pie Walk. New to the Fair this year, we welcome Kitsie Entertainment, Petting Zoo & Barnyard Revue/Pig Races 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’s no secret with the budget cuts the State of Illinois has imposed, we need your help and support to keep our fair going strong so we can continue with this important part of our county’s heritage for years to come Check out our website for more information about the fair at www.whitesidecountyfair.org
We can’t wait to see you there!
July 3, 2023
Whiteside County Fair Press Release
23-02
For further information, contact:
Todd Mickley, Director of Publicity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ENTRIES NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE 2023 – 152nd ANNUAL WHITESIDE COUNTY FAIR, WHICH RUNS TUESDAY, AUGUST 15th THROUGH SATURDAY, AUGUST 19th.
MORRISON – 2023 Entry Information. Online entries are now being accepted for the 152nd Annual Whiteside County Fair, which runs August 15th – 19th. The Whiteside County Fair no longer publishes Premium Books, but the pages are available online at www.whitesidecountyfair.org Look for the “Entries/Premiums” at the top right corner of the website page and click on it for all the information you need. There is over $119,000 in premiums offered in prize money to the winners in over 1,500 different classes.
The Whiteside County Fair accepts Visa and MasterCard for entries and ticket purchases. You can make your entries online by following the premiums link and use your Visa or MasterCard for payment. All the information you need to get ready for the Whiteside County Fair is at your fingertips on our website. You can also print the “Entry Blank” form and fill it out. Entries must be delivered to the Secretary’s Office the week prior to the fair in person or mail them to P.O. Box 88 Morrison, IL.
Check out our website for more information about the fair at www.whitesidecountyfair.org
May 25, 2023
Whiteside County Fair Press Release
23-01
For further information, contact:
Todd Mickley, Director of Publicity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MORRISON — The Whiteside County Fair is extremely excited to announce that we will have a night of BRAND NEW grandstand entertainment for the 152nd Fair! This year we welcome Full Throttle Monster Trucks on THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2023 , and the crowd will be wowed by the famous “BIG FOOT” truck!
Monster trucks have been a favorite form of entertainment and excitement for decades. Since the 1970s, forms of monster trucks have raced, done daring tricks, and several unlucky cars have fallen victim to the giant trucks who set out with only one goal in mind – destruction. Make sure you don’t miss this exciting night of entertainment at the Whiteside County Fair. In addition to “BIG FOOT,” the crowd will get to watch several trucks perform in front of the grandstand at 7:00 p.m.
The Fair opens on Tuesday, August 15 th and concludes after five fun-filled days on Saturday, August 19 th.
Please follow the Whiteside County Fair on Facebook and check our website at www.whitesidecountyfair.org for the latest information!