Carnivals are few and far between

By Gary Scott on July 9, 2026 at 6:48am

It only takes a little imagination to see a day when carnivals will become a thing of the past.

Morgan County fair board president Gary Hadden is tickled to have Conner Amusement Rides from nearby Beardstown.

But, Hadden says it’s getting harder and harder to find them

He says the number of carnivals was at more than 600 before COVID nationwide. Now, he says the number has dropped to 200

Hadden says Conner Amusement has had multiple family generations involved in its operations.

Hadden attends a fair association national conference once a year, and hears the same complaint from other fair officials He counts Morgan County fortunate with having Conner Amusement so close.

Today is Kids’ Day at the Morgan County Fair.

Gate admission is free for families today. There will be a kids pedal tractor pull at 2, the petting zoo will be open from 1:30 to 3:30, and a touch a truck event from 1 to 3. The trucks include a fire truck, dump truck, semis and more.

The demolition derby will be held at the grandstand starting at 7. Music tonight from the pavilion is from the Skanqs, starting at 8.