Mark your calendars for Saturday night, July 25, 2026, at 7pm to come to the Box Seat and Infield Auction in the grandstand. To enjoy the fair to the fullest, you should consider buying a box seat or infield space. This gives you a great seat for all nights of the fair, with the opportunity to leave the grandstand or infield space to get some fair food, visit with friends, check out the Expo Hall, and still have your reserved area to come back to.

We will start by auctioning off the 36 box seats. It’s always fun to find out who your neighbors will be for the week. Next, we’ll auction off the 26 infield areas. If you get the winning bid on an infield space, you get your choice from the spots remaining.

If you are unable to come to the auction, please contact any of our fair directors, and they will bid on a spot for you. Each box seat and infield space comes with 2 season tickets and a parking ticket. Box seat buyers have a reserved parking area north of the grandstand. The infield buyers have an infield parking area. Additional season tickets can be purchased online or at any of the Mt. Sterling banks.

The Miss Brown County Fair Queen Pageant will open with a Parade of Military Colors at 7pm. 

Did you serve your country? Did you volunteer, or were you drafted? Army? Navy? Air Force? Marines? National Guard?

It doesn’t matter! We want YOU!

You are vital to our history, and it is fitting that you let us honor you.

Please be our guest of honor as we come together as a community to open the Brown County Fair! We sincerely hope you can join us in the grandstand for our opening ceremony with assistance from the veterans of the Mt. Sterling Legion and the Mt. Sterling Legion Auxiliary members as they present the Military Colors.

The contestants of the Miss Brown County Fair Queen Pageant are guaranteed to provide a fun and elegant evening on Tuesday, August 4 at 7:30pm in front of the grandstand. “Amazing Grace: 250 of USA” is the theme this year. Along with the Queen contestants, younger ladies will compete for Jr. Miss, and an energetic group of 5 and 6-year-olds will compete for the titles of Little Miss and Mr. Brown County Fair.

The Queen contestants will be judged on their interviews in the afternoon before the Pageant and physical condition, facial beauty, stage presence, speech and communication skills in the evening during the Pageant. The Little Miss and Mr. contestants will be interviewed on stage during the Pageant as well.

The Pageant evening will begin with group dance performances from all the contestants and conclude with the reigning royalty crowning their successors. The new titleholders will reign over the rest of the fair week and throughout the year. Over $2,500 worth of scholarships, bonds, cash, and gifts will be awarded to the new queen from local merchants and the fair board.

In January of next year the Brown County Fair Queen will represent Brown County at the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Convention in the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant in Springfield.

Dawn Dunn is the Fair Director in charge of the evening and the Pageant Director is Danielle Flesner with assistance from Lauren Dunn. A host of other volunteers make this night possible!

Every night at the Fair, from Wednesday, August 5, through Saturday, August 8, the Infield Entertainment Pavilion will be bustling with music.

Wednesday, August 5, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM - BAWG Band

Thursday, August 6, 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM - Rebel Kane Band & Corn Hole Tournament (2 Person Teams; $20 Entry Fee; 100% Pay Back + $200)

Friday, August 7, 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM - Sequoia Drive

Saturday, August 8, 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM - The Get Down Band

Thursday night, August 6, the Brown County Fair will host the Illinois Tractor Pulling Association and the United Pullers of America. The Fair will have 4 of ITPA’s premier classes. Come watch the 2800lb Modified tractors with 3 different engine combinations, including the Allison aircraft engines, alongside turbines and V-8’s. The 9500 Pro Farm and 8500 Limited Pro Tractors are both exciting classes that offer lots of smoke and a variety of colors. They will keep you on the edge of your seat! Additionally, if you have never seen the Mini Rods run, these lightweight, high-horsepower machines will be a real treat! Come watch these tractors go down the track with their front ends in the air.

United Pullers of America will round out the evening with several local pullers in their high Lp 4X4 Diesel Trucks. Come cheer all these pullers on.

ITPA 4 Classes – 9500 Pro Farm, Light Modified, 8500 Limited Pro Stock, & Mini Rods.

UPA 1 Class – Work Stock Diesel 4X4

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Kid’s Pedal Tractor Pull

Thursday, August 6th @ 5:30 PM (inside Open Show Barn)

3 Classes (ages 3 & 4, ages 5 & 6, ages 7 & 8 )

The Finals (1st two places of each class) will be in front of the Grandstand on Friday, August 7th @ 5:30 PM before the Western Illinois Pro Tractor Pull

Every night at the Fair, from Wednesday, August 5, through Saturday, August 8, the Infield Entertainment Pavilion will be bustling with music.

Wednesday, August 5, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM - BAWG Band

Thursday, August 6, 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM - Rebel Kane Band & Corn Hole Tournament (2 Person Teams; $20 Entry Fee; 100% Pay Back + $200)

Friday, August 7, 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM - Sequoia Drive

Saturday, August 8, 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM - The Get Down Band

This year is bigger and better than ever before!

On Friday night at 7:00PM the Brown County Fair is excited to present the Western Illinois Pro Pull. The Pro Pulling League will bring 3 of the most elite classes in the Nation to Mt. Sterling, IL. The always popular Super Farm Class will bring lots of smoke and color. The Super Modified 2 WD Trucks will bring some of the biggest names in the country. The unlimited Super Stock Tractors will bring unbelievable HP with their multiple turbos running on alcohol. The Super Modified Tractors are certainly something to see with their multiple engines. You will feel the ground shake!

The Illinois Tractor Pulling Association will also throw two classes into the mix. The ITPA 8500 Limited Pro Class and Pro Stock will be in town and add some additional smoke to the show. Come see all these vehicles compete and walk through the pits and visit with your favorite drivers.

Western Illinois Pro Pulling Tractor Pull

Brown County Fairgrounds, Mt. Sterling, Illinois

When: Friday, August 7 at 7 PM

3 Western Illinois Pro Pulling League Tractor Classes - Light Pro Stock Tractors, Unlimited SS Tractors, and Light Weight Super Stock Tractors

2 ITPA Class – 8500 Limited Pro Stock and Pro Stock

Kids Under 16 Free

Parking Free

Adults – $20 – No Refunds

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Kid’s Pedal Tractor Pull

Thursday, August 6 @ 5:30 PM (inside Open Show Barn)

3 Classes (ages 3 & 4, ages 5 & 6, ages 7 & 8 )

The Finals (1st two places of each class) will be in front of the Grandstand on Friday, August 7 @ 5:30 PM before the Western Illinois Pro Tractor Pull (The Corn Dog Stand will give free Lemonade and a corn dog to 1st and 2nd Place Winners in all classes)

9:00 AM on Saturday, August 8 the Brown County Fair will host Games on the Lawn with prize money going to the winners of:

Best Decorated Trike, Bike or Wagon - Ages 2-4; 5-6

Girls and Boys Dash - Ages 11-12; 9-10; 7-8; 5-6; 2-4

Wheelbarrow Races - Ages 11-12; 9-10; 7-8; 5-6; 3-4

Sack Races - Ages 11-12; 9-10; 7-8; 5-6; 3-4

3 Leg Race - Ages 11-12; 9-10; 7-8; 5-6; 3-4

Shoe Kick - Ages 11-12; 9-10; 7-8; 5-6; 3-4

Alumni Wheelbarrow Race

Farmers State Bank & Trust Company is the sponsor for Kid’s Day.

4 Bicycle Give-a-Way (Courtesy of Zeiler Amusements and The Brown County Fair) – MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN

FREE Pepsi courtesy of Pepsi Bottling Co

That’s right ladies, it is the time of the fair when we all put our best “hats” forward!

On Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 12pm, the Brown County Fair directors will host the Hats & Horses Luncheon.

A light luncheon will be served in the American Legion Building. Any lady who is up for the fun, light-hearted competition and camaraderie is invited to put their hat in the ring! We have complimentary light hors d'oeuvres, complete with beverages and desserts. It is a lovely time with friends!

There will be prizes for the best hats, and there is even a children’s category so the whole family can participate. The luncheon will conclude with a group photo opportunity and the grand showcase of hats at the winner’s circle of the racetrack just before the start of the harness horse races.

One of Illinois’ Fastest County Fair Tracks Hosts Fantastic Racing for Two Days

The Brown County Fair will host two days of harness racing Saturday and Sunday, August 8th and 9th at 1:00 p.m.

The Brown County Fair has hosted harness racing since the current half-mile track was laid out in 1878.

The local track has quite a history, having held the richest Illinois County Fair race ever, $25,000 in 2009. In addition, the Fair has the fastest track record of any fair in Illinois, 151.1 by “I Can Only Imagine” driven by Brandon Simpson and trained by Tom Harmer, also in 2009. Pari-mutuel racing was held for 15 years before Covid-19. Brown County is the only Illinois County Fair to have had legalized betting on its races.

This year, there will be no shortage of horses for the races Saturday and Sunday of the fair. The Downstate Classic for 2- year-olds will take place on Sunday. The best 2-year-olds that Illinois has to offer, along with the top drivers and trainers will compete for the big purses in the final preparation before the Illinois State Fair.

The fair will have a “Pick the Winner” drawing for $25 after each race, and $1,000 will be given away each day to those in attendance through random drawings.

Chosen by the United States Trotting Association as a Blue Ribbon Fair, the local track continues to make history. Come out and enjoy top- notch racing with a good chance to walk away with some cash!

Track Records

Trot:

1:58.3 – Battleshoe Victor (2009)

Driven by Sam Widger

Trained by Tom Harmer

Owned by Michael E. Polansky, Loudonville, NY

1:58.3 – Speed N The Tunnel (2009)

Driven by Sam Widger

Trained by Brett Wilfong

Owned by Brett H. Wilfong, Donovan, IL & Lynn G. Wilfong, Kentland, IN

Pace:

1:51.1 – I Can Only Imagine (2009)

Driven by Brandon Simpson

Trained by Tom Harmer

Owned by Michael E. Polansky, Loudonville, NY

(Illinois’ Fastest County Fair Track Record)

Brown County Fair Welcomes Domination Motorsports to the derby track this year on Saturday night, August 8, 2026. The crashes and destruction begin at 7:30 in front of the grandstand. Come early and watch the cars cross the track, getting ready to deliberately ram into each other till the last vehicle is still operational. No fair is complete without a Demo Derby. Come see a good one!

Demo Derbies escalated in the 1970’s when Fonzie and his girlfriend, Pinky, were avid participants in the derbies. Today, they are still popular at the County Fairs. We believe Brown County has one of the best! Classes for this year’s Derby are Street Stock Weld, Full-size Hobo, FWD Hobo Minivan/Truck /SUV.

After the Derby come ride the mechanical bull and listen to Madd Hoss Jackson in the Entertainment Pavilion. We promise you a fun time Saturday night at the Brown County Fair!

Prize money for the evening will be a minimum of $2,000 split between the five top vehicles in each class. Trophies will also be awarded to the top five in each class as well as special awards for superior showmanship in the mud-filled arena.

Rules and entry forms for the event at the Brown County Fairgrounds in Mt Sterling can be obtained by contacting the Brown County Fair Secretary’s office.

Every night at the Fair, from Wednesday, August 5, through Saturday, August 8, the Infield Entertainment Pavilion will be bustling with music.

Wednesday, August 5, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM - BAWG Band

Thursday, August 6, 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM - Rebel Kane Band & Corn Hole Tournament (2 Person Teams; $20 Entry Fee; 100% Pay Back + $200)

Friday, August 7, 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM - Sequoia Drive

Saturday, August 8, 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM - The Get Down Band

The Brown County Fair Car Show is on Sunday, August 9.  All cars, trucks, tractors, and bikes are welcome!

Registration is from 10:30 to 12 PM.  Arrive between these times to receive free entry into the fairgrounds.

The Car Show is from 12 to 3 PM with awards presented at 3:30 PM.  There will be awards for the Top 10 and the Queen’s Choice Award.

Come to the Car Show and stay for the Horse Racing!

Contact Tana Parsano for more information.  Ph. 217.440.6646 or tparsano@yahoo.com

One of the Best Days of Racing at any Illinois County Fair

The Brown County Fair will host two days of harness racing Saturday and Sunday, August 8th and 9th at 1:00 p.m.

The Brown County Fair has hosted harness racing since the current half-mile track was laid out in 1878.

The local track has quite a history, having held the richest Illinois County Fair race ever, $25,000 in 2009. In addition, the Fair has the fastest track record of any fair in Illinois, 151.1 by “I Can Only Imagine” driven by Brandon Simpson and trained by Tom Harmer, also in 2009. Pari-mutuel racing was held for 15 years before Covid-19. Brown County is the only Illinois County Fair to have had legalized betting on its races.

This year, there will be no shortage of horses for the races Saturday and Sunday of the fair. The Downstate Classic for 2- year-olds will take place on Sunday. The best 2-year-olds that Illinois has to offer, along with the top drivers and trainers will compete for the big purses in the final preparation before the Illinois State Fair.

The fair will have a “Pick the Winner” drawing for $25 after each race, and $1,000 will be given away each day to those in attendance through random drawings.

Chosen by the United States Trotting Association as a Blue Ribbon Fair, the local track continues to make history. Come out and enjoy top- notch racing with a good chance to walk away with some cash!

Track Records

Trot:

1:58.3 – Battleshoe Victor (2009)

Driven by Sam Widger

Trained by Tom Harmer

Owned by Michael E. Polansky, Loudonville, NY

1:58.3 – Speed N The Tunnel (2009)

Driven by Sam Widger

Trained by Brett Wilfong

Owned by Brett H. Wilfong, Donovan, IL & Lynn G. Wilfong, Kentland, IN

Pace:

1:51.1 – I Can Only Imagine (2009)

Driven by Brandon Simpson

Trained by Tom Harmer

Owned by Michael E. Polansky, Loudonville, NY

(Illinois’ Fastest County Fair Track Record)