Lunch & Learn: A Fair to Remember - A History of McLean County Fairs

Schedule

Thu Aug 14 2025 at 12:10 pm to 01:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

200 N Main St, Bloomington, IL, United States, Illinois 61701 | Bloomington, IL

Advertisement
Bring your lunch and join us to learn about the history of fairs in McLean County on Thursday, August 14, from 12:10 to 1:00 p.m. with Don Meyer, ag historian and guest curator of the Museum’s current exhibit Challenges, Choices, and Change: Farming in the Great Corn Belt.
County fairs have been held at a myriad of locations in and around Bloomington-Normal and across McLean County. In recent decades, most think of the 4-H Fair as our summer fair (held since the 1920s) and recall its locations at Bon-Go Park, Fans Field (east side) Farm Bureau Field, and now the Interstate Center. Meyer will share stories about the locations of the county fairs that were celebrated 50 years before 4-H, with many of those locations now covered by houses, businesses, and streets!
Don Meyer has degrees from ISU and U of I, and taught agriculture for six years at Lexington. He served as a Farm Adviser and County Director for the McLean County Extension Service for 27 years. In retirement, in addition to volunteering with the Museum, Meyer shares an ag history column for eight McLean County newspapers and on WJBC, offers ag history bus tours for local groups, is a licensed farmland broker and auctioneer with The Loranda Group, Inc., and teaches on-line continuing education courses for Novalis Learning.
The Museum's Lunch & Learn series is made possible with the support of our presenting sponsor, MCK CPAs & Advisors. This series provides unique learning opportunities every second Thursday of the month over the lunch hour (12:10 to 1:00 p.m.) in person and live via youtube.com/mchistorymuseum.
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

200 N Main St, Bloomington, IL, United States, Illinois 61701

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

McLean County Museum of History

Host or Publisher McLean County Museum of History

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Bloomington

Puppy Dog Yoga
Sat, 06 Sep, 2025 at 08:00 am Puppy Dog Yoga

The Yoga Studio

HEALTH-WELLNESS DOG
Illinois Day of the Dozer 2025
Sat, 06 Sep, 2025 at 10:00 am Illinois Day of the Dozer 2025

McLean County Fairgrounds

DOG
APIC-Central Illinois  Sep. 11-12, 2025 Conference Exhibitor Registration
Thu, 11 Sep, 2025 at 11:00 am APIC-Central Illinois Sep. 11-12, 2025 Conference Exhibitor Registration

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington

BUSINESS CONFERENCES
Lunch & Learn: Understanding the Role of an End-of-Life Doula and the Power of Death Cafes
Thu, 11 Sep, 2025 at 12:10 pm Lunch & Learn: Understanding the Role of an End-of-Life Doula and the Power of Death Cafes

200 N Main St, Bloomington, IL, United States, Illinois 61701

Lunch & Learn: A Fair to Remember - A History of McLean County Fairs
Thu, 14 Aug, 2025 at 12:10 pm Lunch & Learn: A Fair to Remember - A History of McLean County Fairs

200 N Main St, Bloomington, IL, United States, Illinois 61701

WORKSHOPS VOLUNTEERING

What's Happening Next in Bloomington?

Discover Bloomington Events