The Vermilion Fair officially rang in 120 years of family fun, and organizers are already setting their sights on the future.
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“I think we’re starting to talk about 125 and rev up for that. That’s a fairly big, symbolic number,” said Nicole Polishuk, president of the Vermilion Agricultural Society.
Polishuk credits the fair’s longevity to its volunteers.
“It’s amazing that we’ve been going this long,” she said. “It’s all due to our volunteers. The society is run entirely on volunteers and volunteer work.”
While volunteers keep the event running, the family atmosphere brings locals back year after year.
“It’s that kind of small-town, community, family atmosphere. We really strive to keep this family oriented,” Polishuk said. “It always feels like a really big reunion. You wander down the main road and run into people you haven’t seen in years, or people you only see once a year at the fair.”
Keeping families in mind, the lineup features grandstand entertainment for all ages, including musical acts and a ventriloquist.
“We have entertainment that brings in everybody,” Polishuk said. “We have people who are really involved in livestock, but then we also have events for the gearheads, like lawnmower races, modified tractor pulls and antique tractor pulls. We also have chuckwagon and chariot races.”
Polishuk noted the event’s low ticket price makes it affordable for families, with three-day passes set at $30 and daily admission at $15.
“I think that’s part of why we continue to have such a positive response in the community and surrounding area,” she said.
Attendance over the past three years has averaged around 24,000 visitors over the three-day event.
Every year, the fair kicks off with a parade through Vermilion. Polishuk noted the procession averages around 200 floats each year.
The Vermilion Fair ran from July 23 to 25, concluding with a fireworks display.
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