The 155th Annual Whiteside County Fair, which starts Tuesday, August 18, 2026, and runs through Saturday, August 22, will honor Kenny Ryals as Friend of the Fair.
Each year, the Whiteside County Fair Board of Directors seeks to honor those who are an integral part of making our fair so special. We recognize this honor by naming a Friend of the Fair. This year we are pleased to announce that our 2026 Friend of the Fair is Kenny Ryals.
Kenny shared his heartfelt response to being a recipient of this honor with us, “To begin, this fair and its patrons are truly our dear friends.”
Kenny’s journey with the Whiteside County Fair began 50 years ago, working alongside his parents at just ten years old, serving up classic treats like popcorn, cotton candy, and candy apples. Forty-one years ago, Kenny married Denise, who was also raised in the concessions business. Together, alongside their adult sons, Blake and Grant, they proudly continue the family tradition at this fair.
“As the ‘Friend of the Fair’ honor beautifully demonstrates, a fair and a business like ours cannot succeed without an extended family of friends. We are deeply honored to be invited back year after year. The Whiteside County Fair remains one of our absolute favorites, and building a relationship with everyone here has been effortless.
‘We meet countless people in this line of work….Those we see year after year–the customers we’ve watched grow from children into adults–hold a truly special place in our hearts. Please stop by, wave, and say hello. Our philosophy has always been simple: make life easier for others; bring solutions instead of complaints; always remain grateful for your blessings.”
The Whiteside County Fair Board of Directors remains grateful to Kenny and his family, for their continued contribution to upholding tradition at our fair.
Thank you for supporting the Whiteside County Fair, so we can continue with this important part of our County’s heritage for years to come. Check out our website for more information about the fair at www.whitesidecountyfair.org.