Miss Moo The Scenic Drive Side of the Fairgrounds

1900 Fair Poster
The Knox County Fairgrounds has a history almost as old as the county. For the Scenic Drive, the 60-acre fairground provides ample free parking. Buildings are filled from end to end with displays, demonstrations and assorted vendors. A history booth will be set up containing county fair memorabilia from the past 150 years.

Petting Zoo by Ruth Anderson

There will be antiques, collectibles, crafts, demonstrations and exhibits. Antique farm machinery, agriculture exhibits and displays will bring back memories of fairs through the years. Draft horses, barnyard animals, wagon rides and a petting zoo will add to the old time atmosphere.

Wagon Ride by Amy Caulkins Old Car Wooden Products by Georgia Woods Old Car Let's Eat


Yummy Food Don't forget to bring your appetite as there will be butterfly pork chops, rib-eye steak sandwiches, apple dumplings, apple cider, funnel cakes, onion rings, old time root beer and floats, and other goodies along the pathway with plenty of picnic tables in sheltered areas for dining. A farmer's market will be held filled with fresh fall produce, including pumpkins and gourds grown locally and a variety of jellies and jams.

The Cow And The Melon A Century and a Half of History

The Knox County Fair is the oldest existing fair chartered by the Department of Agriculture in the State of Illinois. A fair has been held here every year since 1851 except for two.

Knox County Fair Sign

The grounds were the site of troop training during the Civil War. In 1862, the 102nd Regiment of the Illinois Volunteer Army trained here and caused so much damage to the grounds that the fair was canceled that year. A stipend was collected from the state for damages, improvements were made and more land was purchased. In 1943, the fair was closed because of World War II, but it reopened the following year.

1906 Harness Race The first grandstand events were harness racing. The bell used to start the races can be seen now hanging under the old water tower once used to provide water for steam engines. An 1890's horse barn and a barracks moved to the grounds from W.W.II Camp Ellis still stand along with two older buildings believed to date back to the fair's beginnings. All four buildings are slated for renovation starting next year.


For more information about the Fairgrounds stop of the Scenic Drive, please contact:


Knox County Fairgrounds
Thomas Collopy
1636 Knox Road 1550N
Dahinda, IL 61428
(309) 639-2302
knoxcofair@hotmail.com		 Knox County Fairgrounds
Main Office
1392 Knox Highway 9
Knoxville, IL 61448
(309) 289-2714

If you are interested in more information about Knox County Fair, please visit this website:

Knox County Fair
(http://www.knoxfair.com)

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