By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent DU QUOIN, Ill. — Right on the heels of the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, the Du Quoin State Fair will open August 23 and run until Sept. 2. This downstate State Fair has its own personality and, like its state-capital sister, brings top acts and entertainment to the grandstand. Visitors can buy tickets online at www.boxofficeticketsales.com/tickets/il/du-quoin/duquoin-state-fair for stars such as Wynonna Judd, Lanco, Whitey Morgan, and “American Idol” Phillip Phillips. And visitors seeking race fun won’t be disappointed – both ARCA and USAC racing take place the last Saturday and Sunday of the show. Du Quoin State Fair Manager Josh Gross said visitors this year will be excited that “there is no admission fee; it has been waived.” And while there is a cost to park, visitors can pick what he referred to as the “family-friendly seasonal parking pass” for $30, which is good for the entire fair. A daily parking fee is just $10 a day in the main lot or $15 in the VIP lot. Another new feature of the fair that Gross mentioned sure to be a big hit with younger fairgoers is a partnership with the Ultimate Gaming Championship. “The (video) game ‘Fortnite’ has every kid between the ages of 8 to 18 and beyond addicted; it is a big deal,” he said. “We have dedicated a building to gaming systems. It will cost $20 for a pass for the fair, or $5 for a day.” On top of the game-playing, they are going to be giving away related goodies. “The prizes are geared towards the people who’d win them.” The Du Quoin State fair was begun by a group of businessmen who wanted to bring visitors to the southern portion of the state. They banded together to form the fair and it has been celebrated almost every year since 1923. From the beginning the fair was a success, bringing in crowds of 50,000-60,000 in its first few years. Horse racing has always been big deal at this fair; from 1957-1980, in fact, it was “Home of the Hambletonian,” harness racing’s answer to the Kentucky Derby. Visitors can still enjoy watching harness racing. Auto racing has been an attraction for many years, as well, as the Du Quoin State Fair hosts legendary racecar drivers each year. The fair kicks off with a Twilight Parade and high school marching band contest inside the fairgrounds Friday evening. There is something for both young and old in the parade, from marchers to riders on horseback. The weekend shapes up with a lot of agricultural activities that will make most rural folks smile, like the Heavy Horse Show, Mule Show, Best Pie Contest, Ponytail/Pigtail Contest, Junior Swine Showmanship, and the Smile Contest. The Heavy Horse Show is new, Gross said – actually, a six-horse pull. “There will be two kids’ days, with kids from local schools coming to see the farming exhibits,” Gross added. “In the past, only a few schools participated and we only needed one day, but this year, we need two days. There are 12 schools coming. We design the fair for kids.” One other change this year is the veterans’ event. “This has always been held outdoors, but this year on Sunday, August 25, there will be a lunch, then the event lasts until 4 (p.m.) and ends with the Veterans’ Parade. (The lunch) is now inside, in the air-conditioning.” Wrapping up the fair will be Monster Trucks on Labor Day. “This year they will be outside on the Mile Track,” he explained. There is something for everyone at the Du Quoin State Fair. Log onto www2.illinois.gov/sites/dsf for the most up-to-date information. |
