With Cornfest over and classes starting, students have an opportunity to relax before the reality of the fall semester sets in.

For five days of rides and entertainment, the 103rd annual DeKalb County Fair opens Wednesday, Sept. 5, in Sandwich.

The DeKalb County Fair, the oldest continuous fair in the midwest, is the last county fair of the summer in northern Illinois.

“There’s something for everybody,” on 160 acres, said Jack Norling, five-year president of the Fair Association.

Cost for adults is $4 and includes parking. Admission for children ages 6 to 12 is $1 and children under 6 are free. However, all children who are 12 and under will be admitted free on opening day.

On opening day, open livestock judging will begin, and, for the first time in 103 years, night harness racing will start at 6 p.m.

Fair Manager Don Bark, who said he expects anywhere from 170,000 to 185,000 to attend the fair during its five days, said most people work during the day and would miss afternoon harness races. By having Wednesday night races, people have another opportunity, he said.

Another opening day treat is for kids young and old, who can enjoy reduced rates on carnival rides.

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau and the six agriculture commodity groups from the county are sponsoring an Ag Wheel of Fortune game from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily where agriculture- related questions will be asked.

Thursday’s itinerary includes more open show livestock judging, harness racing at noon and unlimited carnival rides with the purchase of a $7 wristband.

Evening attractions include the Sugar Squares doing a variety of dances, a sanctioned truck pull and a Bear Foot Crusher demonstration.

Senior citizens have a $2 admission at the gate until 5 p.m. Thursday.

Friday’s admission is half-price until 5 p.m. There are reduced carnival ride rates until 6 p.m., and country western singer Mickey Gilley will headline the grandstand show.

Two demolition derbys are scheduled as well as another Bear Foot Crusher demonstration. Reserved grandstand seats for all shows will go on sale Monday Sept. 3 at 9 a.m. and Tuesday, Sept. 4 at the main gate of the Sandwich Fairgrounds.

Saturday is Youth Day. Junior livestock judging begins at 9 a.m.

Tractor pulls, including a micro-mini tractor pull will be going on in the afternoon and early evening.

The llama show begins at 1 p.m.

Sunday’s activities will include a horse and antique auto show in the late morning. In addition to sheep lead classes, another demolition derby and llama show will be held in the afternoon.

Some everyday free attractions include arts and crafts displays, Buttons the Clown, Magic Mike the magician and horseshoe pitching contests.

Scale-model steam engine train rides will be offered in front of the fairgrounds, Norling said.

Norling said there are about 17,000 entries for exhibits ranging from plants to photography, he said.

To get there, take Rt. 23 south to Rt. 34 east, where signs guiding fairgoers will be posted.