Many McDonough County communities have their traditional yearly events that celebrate who they are, and the Village of Blandinsville has celebrated who they are with the annual Farmers’ Picnic, which has been held since 1887.
In the 1880s, the communities of Blandinsville, Colchester, Vishnu, Bushnell, and Macomb were holding July fourth celebrations, and there became a rivalry as to who could put on the biggest celebration. Charles N. Wilson headed a group in Blandinsville to discuss what they could do for a grand celebration. It was popular at the time to bring in political speakers and bands, and he lobbied that Blandinsville could do it bigger and better and draw in the neighboring towns. He convinced the merchants on Main Street of this plan, but they couldn’t cover all the money needed for such a large event.
Wilson widened the circle and asked the surrounding farmers for help. After some discussions, they agreed to help on one condition: the event needed to be named for them. After all, the merchants in town were doing well because of the surrounding farm economy, so the plan was set and in 1887, the Blandinsville Farmers’ Picnic was born.
In the early years, the Farmers’ Picnic was held in mid-August and was a one-day event; however, in the mid- to late- 1900s, it moved to July and grew to two days. A few decades later, it became a three-day event. As the pursuit of a carnival got competitive, it is now held in early May.
In the 1930s, there was an ongoing argument as to what year the Farmers’ Picnic started. The 1920 Picnic Committee advertised the event as the 32nd annual, and a year was added to that number until 1936 when the start date came into question. Some people said 1887, some swore it was 1888; and the hot topic was debated back and forth. However, it wasn’t until 1939 when it was decided for good that the Farmers’ Picnic started in 1887 and that year was deemed the 52nd annual.
Except for pausing in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the citizens of Blandinsville have celebrated continuously. This year will mark the 138th Annual Blandinsville Farmers’ Picnic.
To advertise the event in the early years, a male quartet including C.N. Wilson, Henry Bushnell, Art Bond and Ott Emery would visit surrounding towns and give a musical invitation to attend the festivities at Blandinsville. The 1930 Picnic was the first two-day event with designations of Democratic and Republican Days, and the earliest days of the Picnics were headlined by great political speakers of the era. William Jennings Bryan, Wisconsin Gov. Robert LaFollette, Honorable John Dailey, and others came to town by the T.P.& W.
Railroad. There would be a band waiting to escort them down Main Street and to the park. Bands were hired from surrounding areas to play with names including the Canton Band, Spencer’s Military Band and the Macomb Band. One year the Charlotte Indian Territory Band made an appearance.
Blandinsville’s own Glade City Band started in 1912 and made appearances here and in surrounding towns.
The Blandinsville Park was surrounded on all four sides with mature trees and in the center was a great gazebo, or as locals call it, the Pagoda, and that same gazebo stands today. Besides the speaker, the entertainment was circus-like with balloon ascensions, parachutists and tight-rope walkers. The selling of refreshments was awarded to the highest bidder in the early days. The July 22, 1897 newspaper contained the following ad: “The exclusive right to sell refreshments in the Park on Farmers’ Picnic Day, Wednesday, August 11, 1897, will be sold to the highest bidder at 8 o’clock Saturday evening at the bank corner.”
There were plenty of contests at the Picnic: bicycle races, goat races, and foot races. Ribbons were awarded for the best produce and the cutest baby. In the early 1910s, the first airplane made an appearance and cost the committee $300. It was shipped to Blandinsville in a box, all knocked down, and a mechanic had to put it back together. It took off from a field north of Blandinsville and was a sensation that year even though it didn’t get far off the ground. During WWII, the emphasis was on the boys at war and patriotism was high. A large board was erected in time for the Picnic with every man and woman’s name on it that was serving our county. The events at the Picnic evolved with the times and less emphasis was put into political speeches and more money was put into the amusements and musical groups. The 50s and 60s saw country music by Toby Dick Ellis and his Possum Holler Opry. A concrete floored stage was installed in 1960 in the park. A teen dance would be held in the Firehouse.
The American Legion food stand tent covered the tennis court and was busy. The Merchant’s Tent was full of local businesses promoting their products. The carnivals got bigger and more exciting with their colorful lights.
The Picnic was being funded in the 60s and 70s by the professional and businessmen of Blandinsville or PABOB as they were known. There were not as many businesses in Blandinsville as there used to be to shoulder the costs and funds were meager. The Picnic was facing a debt in 1971 and in 1972, the Association tried having the Picnic without a carnival. Volunteers helped out with games and activities. The Lion’s Club stepped in to organize the Farmers’ Picnic during the country’s Bicentennial with a record 175 entries in the parade in 1976. During these years, there were doll and pet parades, horse shows, queen contests, dunk tanks, car smashes, bicycle races and cow bingos. There were buttons sold with numbers on them for a cash drawing each night. The Jaycees took over the Picnic starting in 1977. They were a young, ambitious group who did lots of fundraising throughout the year to fund the Picnic. After they folded, the Blandinsville Community Organization was created to take over the responsibilities. The 100th year of the Picnic in 1987 was a fourday event with many community members stepping up and organizing a civil war play, selling cookbooks, and mementos for sale. The biggest name for entertainment was July 21, 1990, when Tom Wopat of Dukes of Hazzard’s fame, came to town and sang for a large crowd despite a drizzling rain. These years were filled with volleyball tournaments, Little Miss and Master contests and Fireman Water fights, along with the usual parade and carnival.
The Farmers’ Picnic continues in the 21st century, even though the businesses in town have dwindled down to just a handful. It still relies heavily upon volunteers and individual donations. The Vicki Haney Bake-Off and Craft Auction has become a beloved and fun event that raises money for the following year’s picnic and other community entities. It takes a lot to put on the Blandinsville Farmers’ Picnic, but because of the nostalgia and intense love of the event, it keeps going! Join us May 7-9, 2026 in Blandinsville.
