Antique tractors get Lake County Fair off to fast start

Six-year-old Abram Krygowski's eyes brightened as he sat high in the driver's seat of a 1941 John Deere tractor Wednesday with the help of Joe Lasser.

The two drove around the Lake County Farm Heritage Association exhibit during the first day of the 90th annual Lake County Fair in Grayslake.

Families and children explored the fairgrounds, taking in the carnival rides, talking with pageant queens, watching the judging of livestock and petting small animals.

At the heritage association exhibit, farmers from around the county helped kids drive tractors, talked to them about the antiques on display, showed them how to make rope and drove them around in the barrel train.

Association member Kenneth Tekampe of Ivanhoe said the organization has been coming to the fair for 26 years and bringing antique tractors from around the county, including a 1921 International. But the highlight is the chance for people to actually drive one of the machines.

"I wanted to jump on the tractor and drive it," Abram, who lives in Wadsworth, said after his ride. "It's sort of like driving a big car but with big wheels. I had fun."

Thursday's events include the truck and tractor pull, storytime by the Fremont Public Library, livestock costume contest, goat milking, and performances by Bella Cain and Zydeco Voodoo.

For more information about the fair, visit HTTPS://lcfair.com.