T & A Bucking Bulls Professional Western Rodeo
On Wednesday, July 31 at 7:00pm in front of the grandstand, the Brown County Fair will host a professional rodeo with bucking bulls.
Entertainment Pavilion
Every night at the Fair, from Wednesday, July 30, through Saturday, August 2, the Infield Entertainment Pavilion will be bustling with music.
Wednesday, July 30, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM - Tim Hart Band
Thursday, July 31, 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM - Rebel Kane Band & Corn Hole Tournament (2 Person Teams; $20 Entry Fee; 100% Pay Back + $200)
Friday, August 1, 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM - Silver Lake Band
Saturday, August 2, 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM - Eric McKay Band
ITPA and UPA Tractor Pull
Thursday night, July 31, 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 including the 5800lb, Light Modified – see the turbines run against the 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. Two of the 4 classes even have Brown County guys pulling in them, along with several others from adjoining counties.
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 1st @ 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 1st @ 6:00 PM before the Western Illinois Pro Tractor Pull
Entertainment Pavilion
Every night at the Fair, from Wednesday, July 30, through Saturday, August 2, the Infield Entertainment Pavilion will be bustling with music.
Wednesday, July 30, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM - Tim Hart Band
Thursday, July 31, 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM - Rebel Kane Band & Corn Hole Tournament (2 Person Teams; $20 Entry Fee; 100% Pay Back + $200)
Friday, August 1, 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM - Silver Lake Band
Saturday, August 2, 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM - Eric McKay Band
Western Illinois Pro Tractor Pull
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 Il Pro Pull for the second year in a row. The Pro Pulling League will bring 4 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 a class into the mix. The ITPA 8500 Limited Pro Class 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 2 at 7 PM
4 Western Illinois Pro Tractor Pull Classes
Super Modified Tractors, Unlimited SS Tractors, Super Farm Tractors, Super Modified 2 Wheel Drive Trucks
1 ITPA Class – 8500 Limited Pro Truck
Kids Under 16 Free
Parking Free
Adults – $20 – No Refunds
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Kid’s Pedal Tractor Pull
Thursday, July 31 @ 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 1 @ 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)
Entertainment Pavilion
Every night at the Fair, from Wednesday, July 30, through Saturday, August 2, the Infield Entertainment Pavilion will be bustling with music.
Wednesday, July 30, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM - Tim Hart Band
Thursday, July 31, 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM - Rebel Kane Band & Corn Hole Tournament (2 Person Teams; $20 Entry Fee; 100% Pay Back + $200)
Friday, August 1, 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM - Silver Lake Band
Saturday, August 2, 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM - Eric McKay Band
Kids’ Day
9:00 AM on Saturday, August 2 the Brown County Fair will host Games on the Lawn with prize money going to the winners of:
Best Decorated Trike, Bike or Wagon
Girls and Boys Dash
Wheelbarrow Races
Sack Races
3 Leg Race
Shoe Kick
Alumni Wheelbarrow Race
Ages vary per game, but range from ages 2-12
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
Harness Racing
Illinois’ Fastest County Fair Track Hosts Fantastic Racing for Two Days
The Brown County Fair will host two days of harness racing Saturday and Sunday, August 2nd and 3rd at 2:00 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 and a reduced horse population, and hopefully will return in the future. 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. For the second year the Downstate Classic for 2- year-olds will take place on Sunday, and 160 horses were nominated with a $150 payment on April 15. Sunday will be the richest single day of harness racing ever held at an Illinois County Fair track with over $100,000 estimated to be paid out.
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)
Demolition Derby
Brown County Fair Welcomes Domination Motorsports to the derby track this year on Saturday night, August 2, 2025. 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.
Entertainment Pavilion
Every night at the Fair, from Wednesday, July 30, through Saturday, August 2, the Infield Entertainment Pavilion will be bustling with music.
Wednesday, July 30, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM - Tim Hart Band
Thursday, July 31, 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM - Rebel Kane Band & Corn Hole Tournament (2 Person Teams; $20 Entry Fee; 100% Pay Back + $200)
Friday, August 1, 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM - Silver Lake Band
Saturday, August 2, 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM - Eric McKay Band
Car Show
The Brown County Fair Car Show is on Sunday, August 3. 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
Harness Racing
Richest Race Day Ever at an Illinois County Fair
The Brown County Fair will host two days of harness racing Saturday and Sunday, August 2nd and 3rd at 2:00 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 and a reduced horse population, and hopefully will return in the future. 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. For the second year the Downstate Classic for 2- year-olds will take place on Sunday, and 160 horses were nominated with a $150 payment on April 15. Sunday will be the richest single day of harness racing ever held at an Illinois County Fair track with over $100,000 estimated to be paid out.
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)
Miss Brown County, Jr. Miss, and Little Mr. & Miss
The contestants of the Miss Brown County Fair Queen Pageant are guaranteed to provide a fun and elegant evening on Tuesday, July 29 at 7:30pm in front of the grandstand. “Denim and Diamonds” 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!
Parade of Colors
The Miss Brown County Fair Queen Pageant will open with a Parade of Military Colors at 7pm.
