This year was my first time at the Sandwich county fair. We arrived at about 4:30/5 pm on Sunday which was the last day. Usually it costs $9 bucks to get in, but we only paid $4 or $5. I thought that was nice that we only had to pay a portion rather than the full amount. As soon as you walk in there was bunnies to the left absolutely the cutest bunnies!!! There was one called a lion head which was definitely my favorite. The to the right they had lambs, sheep, dairy cows, calves. There was a hen house and also a petting zoo. Within the fair as well. I absolutely love animals. I wish they could all be in their natural habitat rather than be put on a show for people. It's pretty sad. That's why I don't really go to the zoo anymore. They offer plenty of rides and games for kids and families to enjoy! They're all grouped together so you don't have to run all over the place to get on the next ride. That was over crowded. We didn't even attempt it. They have food places all over the place. The sweet corn was amazing! So were the BCR fries from the beach shack place. They were bacon ranch fries that were super flame!!!! I want them right now actually hhaha. Overall, it's a nice day out with the family and I would recommend it. It's a hike from the Chicago area, but getting out of the city and nearby suburbs is always nice. read more

HIGHWAY ROBBERY. 10 bucks for a hotdog 16 for Italian sausage. 7 for lemon aid if you want to spend outrageous amounts of money, then go over here read more

I went in the past but I thought it was going to be huge. It was definitely not as big as I had thought. If you come later in the afternoon or evening, you'll be parking far from the entrance. That's if you go on a Fri or Saturday. They had different kinds of animals to look at. Food is your typical fair food. I didn't want to eat fried food all the time, so it was nice to see some pierogis in the mix. They do have some shows going on, you'll have to look at the schedule to see if anything interests you. We probably only spent a couple hours here at the max. read more

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We try to go to the sandwich fair every year, and this year was pretty good. I love getting dole whip whenever I go, and the local food truck selling alligator on a stick is always a must have. It's always fun getting to pet the farm animals like goats. I enjoy looking at all the historical things around the fairgrounds, like the old fire trucks and engine displays. It does get quite packed, and lines do tend to get long so plan in advance! read more

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Everyone told me the sand which fair was the best fair in north Illinois. I've been to a fair amount of other fairs and festivals in the region. The entry fee or 10 dollars makes this an expensive outing with little more than over priced food and misc vendors. I wouldn't go out of my way to return. read more

If you like to stand in lines i highly recommend this place. There is a long line of cars to get in and park, then a line of maybe 100 people deep to get in, 30 people in each ride line. We walked around for 30 minutes trying to find a bathroom or ATM because none of the vendors took credit. Even at Kane county fair which is much smaller most vendors take credit. I was so hungry and couldn't find an atm to get money to get food or ride tickets. Finally after 30 minutes we did find the atm, only to discover ANOTHER LONG LINE! Nothing about this place was fun. Also we had family who had bought us demolition derby tickets but because the cell service was so bad we couldn't find them. We decided to just leave. Apparently this year was exceptionally crowded, will never go back. read more

Not one beer tent for the parents and full of rude out of town people with no manners. Terrible experience all together.

They have a Zombie run here every June. It's pretty cool. You can either be a zombie or a runner or both. If your a zombie you hide out and grab the runners flags. If you lose all your flags then you get a metal that says, infected. If your a runner, (RUN FOR YOUR LIFE Zombies are coming!!! Lol. At the end of the race you get a T-Shirt and a metal. If you have all your flags you get a Survivor metal. Regardless if you have all your flags or not, you walk away with a metal and a T-Shirt. So it's a win win. read more

Sandwich Fair - The metals after the race. - Festivals Near Me - Sandwich, Illinois

Me and my family go to the fair every year. It's a fun place to go be at to have some family time, hanging out with friends, or having some you time. Overall, it's a great experience to see the animals and the food, my personal favorite. read more

Allow me to preface this with a little tidbit I discovered about the Sandwich Fair. It is a dry fair. As in there is no alcohol served at the Sandwich Fair. (gasp!) Yes, you heard it here first. That's not to say that there aren't drunken 'billies at the old Sandwich Fair, nay, there are plenty to see here among the various tchotchkes, old ass tractors, and crazy carnie games. I myself won the Mouse Game. Yes, it's like Redneck Roulette. Mouse on a roulette wheel with wheels on each number. Place your bet on any 3 number section on the railing. It's only a quarter to play, but don't bother upping the ante because you don't make money off this. No, you get your choice of lovely prizes above the gaming rail and if you're Keith, you choose the pinkest goofiest cowboy hat you can find and wear it as you walk away a big winner. And then you go eat more crap. I didn't get a cream puff, though I should have. I didn't get Fay's BBQ, though I should have. No, my hunger led me astray to such pedestrian normal get-em-anywhere items such as cheese fries, fried cheddar, and a philly cheesesteak. I did have a single fried Oreo since my friend didn't think it to be a wise move for his health to eat all three. Oh, but I did have the single best ear of corn I've had all yearlong at The Sandwich Fair. I mean, the very best ear of corn. Which makes perfect sense since you drive through nothing but cornfield after cornfield to get here. We were driving along and all of a sudden we were going through DeKalb Sheriff checkpoints leading us to the fair. The middle of BuFu. So back to the alcohol issue. Apparently the thing to do is to just bring in your own liquor,(since they don't check bags or bulky pockets)purchase a lemon shake-up, then go to the bathroom and load your drink. I'm not saying that that's what I did, I'm just saying I hear that's the thing the kids do nowadays. Ah,. kids, these days. Chris Cagle happened to being playing the Main Stage the night that I went, but to watch from the grandstand required a purchase of another ticket, to add on to the $9 admission for adults. Suffice it to say, no ticket purchase was required if you don't care to SEE Chris Cagle, because he could be heard from most of the fairground. There are portions of the fairground that smell really livestock-y. You've been warned. The parking is a little crazy. When we pulled in we were directed to our spot by various shirtless but wearing reflective vests to go with their t-shirt tan dudes who pointed us right to our spot. The identifying marker to where we left our car? It's by a pickup truck and a tree. The problem when you come out is you realize, the "parking lot"(part of which is just a grassy field) is chock full of pickups and trees. So you walk around aimlessly attempting to activate your alarm by pressing it in under your chin as if channeling all the radio power in your keyfob through your body acting as an extended antenna. Of course, that doesn't work and you find your car when you literally run into it with your pelvis. I gotta get one of the find my car apps or something. Sandwich Fair, I wish you'd serve beer. Or Straw-ber-ita even. I'll just have to resort to pouring my liquor into my shake-up into the bathroom next year. Or not. read more

The Sandwich Fair is the DeKalb County Fair. Sandwich identifies itself with the fair so much that the city slogan (featured on a "welcome to town" sign) is: Sandwich A Fair City (which makes you think the city is: cool OR modest and only later do you understand that it celebrates its "Fair" holding qualities.) Anyhow the Sandwich fair is held annually and opens the Wednesday after Labor Day and runs through Sunday. They take the fair seriously in Sandwich. Children are let out of school midday to attend the opening day. At the Sandwich Fair you will see prize winning: Pigs Cows Horses Sheep Chickens Rabbits At the Sandwich Fair you can eat heart stopping: Éclairs 1-stick-of-butter Cinnamon Rolls Corn Dogs Deep fried Mars bars / twinkies / everything Helen's Famous BBQ Fay's BBQ And every other fair concoction you can think of. There's a fairly grand midway with amusement rides and various deals to ride them (some days are "wrist band days," some days tickets are discounted, etc). There are a ton of craft related entries (quilting, paintings, photographs, collections, baked goods, etc) - they are awesome to look through. All the local / near local businesses turn out in force to participate at the fair. There are tons of useful and time-wasting displays, depending on your interest. There is also an awesome "early engine" machine display that gradually morphs into an excellent display of well cared for tractors. All in all the Sandwich Fair is fattening fun for the whole family- it's the best county fair in the state and is, in all the ways that matter, better than the state fair in Springfield. read more

The fair was crowded this year, and while that's a reflection of how well loved it is, I think the organizers need to spend some time planning for the fair's growth. This is the first year that the lines were so long that it became very difficult to figure out where a line for a ride started an ended. It seems that the main area that the rides are set up in has gotten too small for the crowds. We went on Sunday, after 3 pm, when admission drops to $6 per person and wristbands are $15. I am sure this is why ride lines were so long (think Great America type of wait times for some). I think if the fair prepared with more obvious roped off ride areas, it would allow for less confusion and easier navigation of the areas Setting aside my complaints about the lines, on the positive side, this is always a very family friendly fair, with lots of vendors (cars, RVs, farm implements, cookware, etc), and just about every type of fair food you could ever dream of. It's best to avoid peak times, and major discount times. read more

1st time going to fair and it was nice. My daughter really enjoyed petting zoo and rides they had. The food stands were also nice with plenty of different options read more

Horrible parking and traffic control. It took me longer to get in and out of the place, then I spent at the fair. Needs to be relocated, or at least put someone in charge who knows how to organize a fair. This lack of planning and coordination ruined the fair experience for a lot of people. read more

Redneck-ness makes it's way out of my pores only one time a year and it is sandwich fair time. The fair is the same every year and it is awesome. Tons of animals and their wastes, crappy looking rides I wont go on but watch like an old folk, fiddle contest and the melodramas, family train ride and fat people foods. Have to have a triple thick milk shake by the bumper cars!! And spin the wheel at wspy. Love the photo contest and the giant pumpkins and sitting in the show campers and admiring show chickens. I Could go on and on if you let me. But I will stop now, go find your own fun at the fair!! read more

Nice clean old-fashioned fair. Its how they were and should still be. Great food and rides. A little pricy for rides but it's once a year and its worth it. Nice kiddy rides. And they keep the wash rooms clean. That's rare. Good thing to do with the family. read more

Great fun as usual. This fair has the best animal shows around. I feel that the food was slacking a bit this year, as it appears less and less local vendors are able to get a spot. However it was a great time. read more

I have been going to the Sandwich Fair for over 30 years now and it just keeps getting better! If you are looking for a "real" country fair, this is it! Plan on spending the day because there is so much to see and do. Antique farm equipment, multiple buildings which house home grown veges, crafts, photos and baked goods which people have entered to be judged, farm animals galore with the 4-H kids showing off their prized lambs, calves and pigs. and of course the Grandstand which offers demo derbies, truck and tractor pulls and live music in the evening. Also you can't beat the food. Typical fare such as elephant ears and corn dogs compete with the ultimate in BBQ from the world famous Fayes!! Love love love it. Stop by next year and enjoy! read more

Must hit food items: The Pogliano Pork Wagon - they have the most amazing Italian pork sandwich. Very similar to an Italian beef, but for some reason the way the spices meld with the pork, it is 99% better than any Italian beef I've ever eaten. It's served on an amazing bun too. Everything about it is perfect. Wisconsin Cheese - The line is always long and that's always a good sign. They have a veggie combo with deep fried mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower that is really tasty. They have cheddar and jalapeno cheddar cheese nuggets that are out of this world, but the main reason I hit this stand each year is for the Swiss and Rye on a stick. I don't even have words to describe this, it's just glorious cheesy goodness on a stick. Sometimes the wait is a while, but it's well worth it. Trust. These two stands are the ones I must visit each year, but I have also sampled and they are all delicious, but what deep fried fair food isn't? Pork Tenderloin Sandwich Corn Dogs Giant Cinnamon Rolls Chocolate Covered Deep Fried Bacon I could go on. If you like to indulge once a year, I recommend visiting the Sandwich Fair. read more

The Sandwich fair is always a good time. Took the kids on Wednesday, which is "Kids get in Free" and wristband day. $25 for unlimited rides. A great time was had by all. It wasn't overly crowded, as I'm sure it will be on the weekend. We stayed a few hours, which was plenty of time to ride the rides and eat some fair food. There's lots of great food there, and there's also the anomalous Subway booth and pizza vendors. And, the people watching is free of charge! read more

Yee-haw!! This is definitely a true mid-west country fest complete with tractor pulls (and to be honest, I'm not really sure what that is all about). Free parking, paid admission. I have seen billboards advertising Sandwich Fair in my area for years and this year we decided to check it out. I don't live anywhere near Sandwich so to have billboards out here it must mean it is a good fair! Honestly, it seemed like a typical state fair. I did enjoy the setup/layout as it winds through a lot of mature trees which was nice. At times it felt like we were at a fall fest...if only I didn't have buckets of sweat running down my back. There is a speedway area (extra admission) that has tractor pulls, monster truck stuff, etc. That doesn't interest us so we skipped. There is the typical carnival and speedway/carnival games. And tons of food stands all throughout the fest which was nice. My only complaint, where were the turkey legs? We kept seeing people with them but couldn't find the stand. There were also a few indoor areas set up with crafts for sale but they weren't air conditioned and it was so bloody hot that I walked in and walked right back out. Oh, and there were areas set up with the typical piggies, goat, cattle but we didn't look through there. read more

My family loves the Sandwich Fair! Lots of things to do... rides, petting zoo, 4H competitions, games, and above all, FOOOOOOODDDD!!! Make sure you try Fay's Barbecue chicken and pork chops while you're there. The food is absolutely delicious and is the number 1 reason I make it to the Sandwich Fair every year. read more

Just a heads up for any one considering going to the 2018 Sandwich fair, Make sure you wear rubber boots because it is a complete muddy mess at this point. We arrived at the fair gate at 12:30 pm today thursday sept 6th 2018 and was directed from the front gate area all the way to the north end near the carnival at the end of the fair, not allowed to park anywhere near walking distance to the entrance gate and to beat all it was raining the whole time. We are 67 years old and without handicap placards so I guess the staff thought it wise to park us in the back 40. There was no gravel on the entry road only yellow mud. This is very poor planning and organization on the part of the fair staff. First we came in at the south entrance then had to drive in the mud almost one half mile to the north end to park, then we were expected to walk back down a mud road to the entrance gate to pay to get in, we left instead and vowed to never return for this pitiful treatment by the fair staff. Don't go unless you feel like being a hog in a mud hole, because that is what this fair is, a poorly organized MUDHOLE! read more

Spent 2 days here and I had an amazing time! This thing is HUGE! There really is something for anyone. I'm from Louisiana, so going out into the country for a short getaway from the suburbs was a wonderful idea to me. They had livestock houses you can walk through and pet some of the animals. There was one for goats, cows, sheep, rabbits, poultry, and horses. My favorite was the chicken house because they are so animated. I had no idea there were so many species of poultry! There was an antique tractor, lawnmower, and truck show. They have lots of rides and yummy fair food. We spent about $80 in 2 days just on food! But we never eat fried, processed food, so it was a treat for us. There were cooking competitions, concerts, tractor pulls, livestock shows, a talent show, and plenty of local vendors. We even bought some cowboy hats for souvenirs! I wanted some boots, but they were more money than I had to spend. This fair is definitely worth the drive to Sandwich, IL! read more

As a first time person going to sandwich fair I found it very lackluster and poor as opposed to the high expectations that were set for it. Yes there are a lot of attractions and fun things to do (especially for the country folks) however I have noticed a few things. I bought Brett Eldredge tickets in advance, you had to mail them in when it is not very difficult to get an online site to do this. When we went to the front gate we had to pay an extra 9.00$ a piece to get in. I feel it should be included or have a separate entrance for the concert. The day he was playing was 9/11 which being a veteran I don't expect any help or discounts on anything, and knew I would be there later than when the discounts were in effect for, however to offer family fun and free things to only active duty military and not guard, reserve, retirees or veterans of any other sort is seemingly cheap. There are very few active duty bases in Illinois, most of which are over an hour plus drive from there. Most military can not get there in off time because they are working, can not use leave or are just out of state. Currently most of the people who serve were not part of the first operation after 9/11. This horrible day took place 14 years ago. Most career are 20 years so they would have only been in a few years or not at all. Please show the respect all military deserve. Those who are serving, have served and those who serve when they can. The fair is a fun thing for families, but you should not try to make more money if it means not appreciating certain people or things that should be included in it. read more