Lake County Fair Opens with Excitement and Tradition

As Tabitha Wright and Ella Roye exited the Downdraft ride, their smiles were wide despite being more intense than expected. “We weren’t expecting it to be that fast,” said Wright, a 14-year-old from Crown Point. “We thought it looked fun.” The ride, with six cars attached to a base, lifted and spun passengers with their feet dangling 30 feet in the air.

Kayden Verhatghe prepared a sheep named Sparkles for the show at the Lake County Fair, showcasing her dedication to 4-H over the past five years. Despite the Downdraft’s intimidating appearance, Wright and Roye weren’t frightened. “It was actually a lot of fun,” said Roye.

Both girls attended the Lake County Fair’s opening day as a celebration to end their summer break. As eighth graders at Wheeler Middle School, they enjoyed the annual event, which marks its 174th edition this year, scheduled to run through August 16.

The fair offers a variety of attractions, including fried foods, carnival rides, and 4-H farm animals. Admission is $8 for those over 11, while children 10 and under enter for free.

Jordan Wagner traveled from Berrien Springs, Michigan, with her daughter Hayden to participate in the sheep show. They attended just for the day to present their sheep, Madonna. Wagner, who also showed animals in her youth, expressed pride in seeing her daughter’s growth through multiple shows this year.

Lily Hamilton, another participant, showcased her one-year-old cochin bantam chicken. She engaged in a master showmanship class, emphasizing the handler’s presentation skills over the animal’s appearance. Hamilton, a 4-H member for nine years, values the connections and friendships formed through the program.

Alongside the animal showcases, Greg and Linda Smith explored the fair, drawn particularly to the chickens and ducks. They have attended the fair for about a decade, maintaining a tradition of visiting on opening day.

Brett Walker and Heather Miller, along with their children Damien and Dax, also enjoyed the fair. For Dax, the highlight was viewing the chickens and anticipating a ride on the ferris wheel. Miller appreciated how the fair provided a place for the family to enjoy activities while preparing for the upcoming school year.