By CINDY LADAGE

Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois is a lucky state; it has two state fairs. The first, larger fair takes place in Springfield and runs for 11 days from August 9-19 this year. The second is later in the summer, from August 25-Sept. 3.

The Du Quoin State Fair is held in the southern part of the state and is a little smaller and considered more laid-back than the action-packed Springfield state fair.

For almost a decade the Illinois State Fair Museum Foundation has been hosting the Antique Ag Expo at the Springfield fair, and in 2018 Chair Mike Hall said the exhibit will be at a new venue – under the grandstand.

“This year we will be exhibiting at the south end of the grandstand. We have room for, we think, 80 tractors and exhibits. We did a lot of measuring and think we can fit,” he explained. “We’d love to have some garden tractors and exhibits. We want to create a great show for the fair visitors and want them to have something new and different to look at.”

Besides the Antique Ag Expo, Hall said the Foundation sponsors the “Illinoisan of the Day” program and the museum where visitors can see state fair history and fair archives. The antique tractors will be on display at the south end, while fair museum exhibits are located at the north end.

“The exhibit is open to all individuals that want to bring an antique tractor and exhibit at the Illinois State Fair,” Hall said. “If someone wants to exhibit, call me at 217-494-7105.”

Prior to this opportunity to exhibit under the grandstand, the Antique Ag Expo has been on display in tents and before that, in Building 105 except for one year in the Orr Building and one year with the 4-H clubs.

“For the last three years we have been renting a tent before that in Building 105. They moved chickens and rabbits to 105, so we had to move,” Hall noted.

When some of the vendors previously located under the grandstand wanted to move, he said, “We asked if we could have it and they said yes. We won’t have to worry about the cost of renting a tent, as well.” Trying to raise the money for the tent was always an issue and the space under the grandstand has been donated, so this takes the pressure off fundraising, and switches the focus to planning how the group can offer a great display and help support the fair.

“Every day we will have a daily parade, and we do whatever we can to help the fair succeed,” Hall added. “That is what it’s all about. Our daily parade will be at 4 p.m. every day on the fairgrounds.”

Except for the day of the Veterans Parade, they will parade in front of the grandstand – and they would love to have a marching band and welcome others to join them. “Last year we had the Clydesdales and the mini horses,” he said.

“Anyone that wants to participate should just call me. We will also be part of the Twilight Parade, as well.”

As for bringing antique tractors to the Du Quoin fair, that is on the Foundation’s wish list. “We would like to do this at Du Quoin, but it is hard to coordinate it from up here. We haven’t accomplished it yet, but would like to,” Hall said.

This year during the Du Quoin fair, he will have his steam engines on display at the nearby American Thresherman Steam, Gas & Threshing Show that takes place the same time as Du Quoin’s fair, in Pinckneyville.

Besides his Farmall tractors and an Allis-Chalmers, Hall is into steam. He has four steam engines: a Harrison Jumbo, Minneapolis 22, a quarter-scale model of a Case and a homemade road locomotive.

“I just inherited a Farmall M that needs a total restoration,” he said. “I got into tractors; I started with an Allis-Chalmers WC. My grandpa had one, and I got one and restored it.”

So go the Illinois State Fair and see the Antique Ag Expo at its new location. Hall added, “The Illinois State Fair Museum Foundation has all the souvenirs; come join us, it will be a fun time.”