While you’re at the fair, grab some history.
If you’ve come to love the Sandwich Fair, you’ve probably come to love its history.
History Timeline
Main Stage Concert Performers Through The Years
Montgomery Gentry 2001
Trace Adkins 2004
Gary Allan 2005
Blake Shelton 2006
Luke Bryan 2007
Billy Currington 2008
38 Special 2008
Craig Morgan 2011
Justin Moore 2012
Dustin Lynch 2013
Easton Corbin 2014
Brett Eldredge 2015
Frankie Ballard 2016
Old Dominion 2017
Justin Moore 2018
Scotty McCreery 2019
Chris Janson 2021
Trace Adkins 2022
Jordan Davis 2023
Riley Green 2024
History Museum
Visit the fair museum while at the fair!
Located west of Otto’s train and south of the windmill in the 1892 dark green Secretary’s Office, it’s one of the oldest buildings on the grounds.
On display is a timeline from the beginning of the Fair until 2000, items that were given away or sold at past fairs, and items from a different area collector each year.
The museum is a stop for Activity Book stamping and has DVD’s running on a TV from years past. New items are continually being donated, so there is always something new to view and friendly hosts to greet fairgoers and help answer questions.
Sandwich History Book
THE SANDWICH FAIR SINCE 1888: DEKALB COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Written and compiled for the 125th anniversary of the Sandwich Fair.
Editor — Vivian C. Wright, Ed D
Project Coordination — Karen Breunig
Photo Coordination — Jackie Dannewitz
Research Verification — Joan Hardekopf
Research Support — Don and Doug Stahl
HISTORY OF SANDWICH AND THE DEKALB COUNTY FAIR
Come take a look at the history of Sandwich from its beginnings in the mid-1850s to today. First known as Newark Station, the town’s name was changed to Sandwich in 1856 by Congressman John Wentworth, after his hometown in New Hampshire. Wentworth was instrumental in getting the railroad to stop here. Sandwich, surrounded by the fairest and most fertile country, was advertised in 1892 as one of the most beautiful and prosperous cities in northern Illinois. Its agricultural implements, made by the Sandwich Manufacturing Company and Enterprise Company, were shipped worldwide. Sandwich is now known for its annual county fair, antique shows, and shopping.
About the author: Joan Bark Hardekopf is a longtime resident of the community. Her family roots date back to the earliest farms. Along with members of the Sandwich Historical Society, Hardekopf is pleased to present this book as part of the 150th celebration of Sandwich. Royalties will help fund the sesquicentennial in 2009.