Fair organizers prioritize animal and patron safety amid high temperatures

STEPHENSON COUNTY, Ill. (WTVO) — Organizers for the Stephenson County Fair are taking extra precautions to make sure all animals involved are safe during the heat wave.

“[We’re] always… watching for any kind of dehydration with the animals and making sure that they are well cared for,” said Executive Director Kate Boyer.

Boyer said the animals are kept cooler than they would be in some of the fields.

“If they were at home, they would still be out in the fields in the sun. So here, they’re actually in some shade, and they have fans blowing on them,” Boyer explained. “We got plenty of water here for the animals, and a lot of the exhibitors will take them out and actually give them a good wash down.”

Boyer said precautions were taken for patrons as well.

“We actually have a Mavis tent put up by the fire department, which is an air-conditioned tent. So you can go in there and sit down and rest and get out of the sun and cool down,” Boyer continued. “We also have water from the City of Freeport that is set up with free drinking water, and we’ve been giving away free bottles of water.”

Safety is the director’s number one priority.

“Without having safety, nobody’s gonna want to come out of their house and do something. So, we try to maintain as much of a safe environment as we can out in the community,” Boyer concluded.