January 3, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Weekend Family Fun Guide July 19-20

Our Family Fun Weekend Guide, sponsored by Island Travel Group & Events, features three fairs and festivals!

July 19
Champaign County Fair
4 p.m-midnight at the Champaign County Fairgrounds located at 1302 N Coler Ave, Urbana, IL 61801
Tonight the gates open at 4 p.m. and the carnival opens at 5 pm. Stock car races take place at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Sunset Strip Band at 9 p.m. in the Beer Pavilion. You must be 21 to enter.

Farmer City Dewitt County Fair
850 North Grove Street in Farmer City, IL 61842
Stock car races take place at 6:30 p.m.

Mattoon Bagelfest
500 Broadway Ave
Mattoon, Illinois
The carnival and vendors open at 1 p.m. From 6 to 9 p.m. there is Bingo in the Demars Center.
The Oak Ridge Boys perform at 8 p.m. on the Main Stage. Gates open at 6 p.m.
$20 for reserved seating, $15 for lawn seating, $25 for Fri/Sat reserved seating.

July 20
Champaign County Fair
All day at the Champaign County Fairgrounds located at 1302 N Coler Ave, Urbana, IL 61801
Saturday is Military Day with a military appreciation parade at 2 p.m.
The gates open at 10 a.m. The carnival opens at 1 p.m. Sundowner’s Car and Bike show takes place at noon. The Crazy Johnny Band performs at noon. The demo derby takes place at 6:30 p.m.
At 9 p.m. the Bluetone Drivers perform in the beer pavilion.

Farmer City Dewitt County Fair
850 North Grove Street in Farmer City, IL 61842
Kids Day
There is a goat show at 10 a.m., western horse show at 10 a.m., kids day events start at 11 a.m. and include face painting, a kids tractor pull and clowns.
From 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. there is a chicken, chili and ribs cook-off and at 6 p.m. there is a tractor and truck pull.

Mattoon Bagelfest
500 Broadway Ave
Mattoon, Illinois
Run for the Bagel takes place at 6:30 a.m. with registration at 5:30 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Free Bagel breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Demars Center, vendors open at 8 a.m., Parade at 10:30 a.m. starting at 21st and Western Avenue, Carnival open from noon to 11 p.m. Bingo in the Demars Center from 1 to 5 p.m. Bagel Bow Wow in the Rotary Band Shell at 2 p.m., 1964 the Tribute performs at 8 p.m on the Main Stage.
$10 for reserved seating, $5 for lawn seating, $25 for Fri/Sat reserved seating.

July 21
Champaign County Fair
All day at the Champaign County Fairgrounds located at 1302 N Coler Ave, Urbana, IL 61801
Sunday is Western Day. The gates open at 10 a.m. with a western horse show in the horse arena. From noon to 5 p.m. there is a $25 unlimited ride bracelet at the carnival. Mini circus sideshows take place from noon to 7 p.m. and a draft and mini horse show takes place at 4 p.m.

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