County fair season is in full swing across Illinois, bringing residents closer to agriculture and history.

Steeped in rich history and tradition, county fairs have been a staple of showcasing the innovation and techniques of modern farming. In 1841, the Union Agricultural Society held its first annual fair in Naperville and shortly later, other counties began hosting their own fairs including Knox in 1851 and McHenry in 1852. Illinois held its first state fair in 1853. Activities at the fairs included livestock judging, plowing contests and horse races. As technology progressed, it was also common to see car races and airplane demonstrations.