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BLOOMINGTON — The McLean County Fair opened to waves of participants on Wednesday before a brief rain shower called for quick thinking and impromptu shelter.
McLean County Emergency Management Agency Manager Cathy Beck said no injuries and “not as much damage” had been reported as expected, but many tents had been lost due to high winds.
The National Weather Service to Lincoln issued a stern storm watch for Wednesday evening and a flood watch through Thursday morning for much of central Illinois.
Weather warnings issued for central Illinois counties
“A few thunderstorms this afternoon through tonight will produce one to three inch rainfall amounts over saturated ground,” the meteorologists reported. “A few places that see repeated rounds of thunderstorms may see three to six inch rain amounts.”
According to the weather service, excessive rainfall can cause rivers, creeks, creeks and other low, flood-prone places to flood.
Counties included in the flood watch include Christian, DeWitt, Logan, Macon, McLean, Moultrie, Piatt and Shelby.
The McLean County Fair opened to waves of attendees before a brief rain shower called for quick thinking and impromptu shelter.
D.Jack Alkire
Jeremiah Cox, a member of the fair’s support staff, said he was at the main entrance when the storm hit and saw several tents, trash cans and even a wire mesh fence being toppled as he and others were hiding inside the ticket office.
“No one was hurt and we all waited in this little area until the storm passed,” Cox said. “The last time it rained, it wasn’t so bad.”
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Other workers could be seen picking up poles, rearranging tents and even pouring out residual water from rides like bumper cars and Zero Gravity.
Nathan Ramler, who was at the fair with his son Josiah, said he expected inclement weather, but not as extreme.
Deb Phares said she knew there was going to be a storm but didn’t notice until her son Owen was on the OMG 360 ride when the lighting started.
“I was really impressed,” Phares said. “They shut down the rides, got people off and most of us went to the building where the McLean County beef producers were serving food and having lunch.”
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Although they only attend one day a year, Phares said they will make the most of their day and do as many rides before it rains again.
“Fortunately, it hasn’t rained much here,” said Carl Neubauer, secretary and treasurer of the McLean County Beef Producers. “It cleared us for 15 to 20 minutes. I hope we can have a good evening.
Fair organizers also announced that departures of Big Smokers tractors and local pickups have been cancelled. Carnival rides and concessions are still open.
Lee Enterprise reporters Brendan Denison, Donnette Beckett, D. Jack Alkire and Olivia Jacobs contributed to this article.
Photos: Preserving Agriculture at the McLean County Fair for Our Children
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Annabelle Sutter, 9, Danvers, was disturbed about her art project by her Jersey cow “Ronette” as they kept each other company at the McLean County Fair on Friday. Sutter brought home a ribbon for the reserve grand champion. She is a member of the Hudson Ag 4-H Club.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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Eloise Bosquet, 9, Bloomington, milks a mechanical cow in the Food & Farm Fun Zone at the 2021 McLean County Fair.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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Madison Kraft, 18, of the Towanda and Bridle Path 4-H clubs, prepares her goat for competition at the McLean County Fair Friday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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Chad Lawyer of Carlock assists Madison Kraft of Towanda as he vacuums his goat prior to competing at the McLean County Fair Friday August 6, 2021.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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Actor Allan Adcock thrust swords through a box containing Mary Macaroni during one of the halfway performances at the McLean County Fair on August 6, 2021.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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Eloise Bosquet, 9, Bloomington, pets a chick in the farm and food entertainment area at the McLean County Fair Friday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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Morgan Mouser, 16, Downs, watches her chicks as she tends to a petting zoo during the Food & Farm Fun Zone at the McLean County Fair Friday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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Mary Macaroni, also known as Karen Burris of Chicago, pulls out of a “sword in the box” magic trick to the amazement of children at the McLean County Fair, Friday, August 6, 2021. Burrs’ partner , Allan Adcock, right, impaled the box with swords without injuring the star of the show halfway through.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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Normal’s Gailen Smiley, left, takes a photo of her grandson, Abel, 3, during a tour of the antique tractor tent at the McLean County Fair on Thursday. The 22 tractors on display are from across McLean County and represent agricultural technology from 1935 to 1971.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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They’re still making corndogs at the 2021 McLean County Fair as 6-year-old Marlon Diaz, Bloomington, treats himself to one for lunch.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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Customers line up to buy lunch at food vendor booths at the 2021 McLean County Fair.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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Gridley Golden Banners volunteers Greg Watkin, left, and Marlin Hendren move fans to freshen up the chicken coops at the McLean County Fair on Wednesday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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Cody Lyon, who studies agriculture at Heartland Community College, attempted to measure the root systems of hybrid field corn winners that were on display at the 2021 McLean County Fair.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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Arrowsmith’s Paula Sandage admires the art on display at the 4-H competition.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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FFA Superintendent Diane Weer; Brittnay Haag, horticulture educator at the University of Illinois Extension; and 4-H judge Diane Cook review some of the flower arranging contest entries.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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Channing Durbin, 11, cleaned out his poultry cages as he showed off ducks and chickens at the McLean County Fair on Wednesday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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Landon Baker holds his Rhode Island Red rooster, ‘Dusty,’ while his sister, Jayden, cleans his feet before the poultry judging at the McLean County Fair on Wednesday. 4-H exhibitors brought their entries to the fairgrounds for judging beginning Monday to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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A colorful tropical bird painted by Abigail Wilson of the Olympia Pacesetters was recognized during the art exhibit at the McLean County Fair on Wednesday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
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Landon Baker removes his Rhode Island Red rooster, Dusty, from his cage before the poultry judging Wednesday at the McLean County Fair. Some 4-H exhibitors brought their entries to the West Bloomington Fairgrounds for judging starting Monday to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. Most of the animal exhibits arrived on Wednesday, the official opening day of the fair. The fair runs until Sunday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
IT’S TIME FOR THE COUNTY FAIR
Isabella Crego of the Flanagan-Cornell FFA turns a fast corner during the pole bending competition at the McLean County Fair on Tuesday. The horse riding competition runs until Saturday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
MCLEAN COUNTY FAIR PREPARATION CONTINUES
McLean County Fair exhibitor Travis Rhode, 12, of Carlock, a member of the Hudson Ag 4-H club, sets up fans for his piggies at the fairgrounds Monday. The fair opens on Wednesday and will continue until Sunday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE TROUSER
Contact Mateusz Janik at (309) 820-3234. Follow Mateusz on Twitter:@mjanik99