DuPage County Fair Grounds ??

Why not call or email them direct? Contact info here:  http://greatmidwesttrainshow.com/

As a resident of DuPage County, have not heard anything to substantiate that rumor. It is the property of the County and has been for an awful long time. DuPage County is rich with forest preserves and parks, so don't think they would be selling it off. Of course, I could be wrong! This week they are running the annual County Fair.

There is more to it then this, but in a nutshell, there are two very opposed sides as to what should be done with the land. As Mark stated above, it is county land right now, not Wheaton's. However, the county (in general) would like to develop the site when the county fair lease runs out in 2020 I think. The county (DuPage) has sited the lessee (DuPage County Fair Inc. (or something like that)) for many, many building and safety violations. Maybe more then the lease is worth?

However, there is the other, very vocal side that wants to keep the site a public space. The county fair it self is a shell of its former days, as DuPage county has developed, the agriculture side has dwindled.

Wheaton really has no interest in developing more residential space, but would like to get the land to add to its commercial base.

Long story short, if there is a change to the show we will know shortly.

Hope that helps.

Charlie

Charlie,

Thanks for the info. Mark and Rick thanks for you input too.

I guess we will have to wait and see. The only info I could find

was the code violations, which were addressed. I had heard that

the organization running the fairgrounds had a lease until 2020.

I did e-mail them directly have not heard back as of yet.

Thanks everyone.

Tom

For what it's worth, they show usually printed a card with the year's dates on it, and had the next year as well on the flipside. This year's card only had 2015's dates on it. No 2016.

I have heard nothing about this, and it is county land, so I wouldn't worry too much. Any plans for sale, lease or redevelopment will be announced, at least in the suburban media.

I got e-mail back from the Great Midwest Train Show and permission to share:

So it looks like we will have the Great Midwest Train Show at the DuPage Fairgrounds

for years to come !

Tom

Is good!

The County Fair Grounds appear to be on the same parcel of land that the large DuPage governmental complex occupies. As a site for an agricultural county fair, it's a bust. Attended the fair a couple of years ago and was "treated" to a handful of stinky animals and about 10,000 vampire-like hucksters trying to sell me new windows and shower stalls. There are only 5 working farms in DuPage County, so the old time county fair is an anachronism here. The physical facilites of the Fair Grounds are pretty decrepit and would be a ripe candidate for replacement if the county could scrape up the money. In terms of commercial development, the absolute last thing needed in DuPage County, as well as the rest of America, is more retail space, movie screens, hotel beds, restaurants, ad nauseum. Maybe another nursing home.

       Perhaps, as with all things, The Great Midwest Train Show has begun it's last lap. A shame. But I must say, as a practicing O Scaler, there is very little there that attracts my interest. The Chicago March Meet  is tops, for me!