By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Like Christmas, the Illinois State Fair always seems to be months, weeks or days away, but the time has finally arrived and the enjoyment can begin. The fair takes place in Springfield from Aug. 13-23. At this year’s State Fair preview day Amy Bliefnick, the state fair manager shared what visitors can expect from this year’s “All American Fair.”

Bliefnick said coming to the fair was part of her childhood experience and her love for the fair still remains even though she and her staff work 365 days a year for this ten-day event. “This is one of my favorite days,” she shared announcing the opening of this year’s fair.

Illinois Director of Agriculture Tom Jennings added that as a local boy he has also enjoyed the fair from the bottom up.

“I have been coming (to the State Fair) since I was five years old ... even hawked sodas in the grandstand,” said Jennings. “The show is a big undertaking. I am honored to be associated with it. I also want to mention the Duquoin State Fair. Both fairs offer a value to families who can have a wonderful time.”

When asked what his favorite part of the fair is, he had to think a minute or two and finally said besides people watching, that livestock is probably the best part for him. The Jennings family owns horses and he added, “The livestock show is the biggest in the nation. We have top quality not only in rabbits, sheep, cattle, hogs and everything. “

The Illinois State Fair is full of traditions whether it is the food, the rides or the grandstand shows. One tradition that celebrates a 50th anniversary this year is the reign of an Illinois State Fair Queen. Morgan Metz is this year’s Queen and she said she remembers literally learning to drive on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. While she has been to countless county fairs and loved them all, she said it was good to be back at the Illinois State Fair.

“It is a lot to take in,” she said. “Ten days to see and do everything and the fair has a lot to offer.”

Sharon Bumen is back with a brand new butter cow for the sixth year in a row. The cow will be unveiled right before the fair opens. Bumen said in the past she has always flown to Illinois and this year she drove and was able to see the countryside. “I also brought my bike and got to see Springfield. There are so many things to enjoy.”

With this being the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, the fair would be remiss not to include a Lincoln event or two. There will be a Looking for Lincoln tent that will share communities and their connection to our 16th President. There will be people dressed in period costumes and they will reenact the Lincoln-Douglas 1858 debate. There will also be a Lincoln storyteller available in Conservation World along with lumberjacks and much more.
Karen Frazee of the Illinois Department of Agriculture said that families should know that the Heartland area is a great place for families to take a break. “There are free food samples and coffee and a kid’s tent for smaller families to play and learn about agriculture.

The Park Play Station is located in the covered pavilion next to the Lincoln stage. This area will showcase free activities for the kids such as creating an ink-dyed t-shirt and playing with playdough and more.

For adults, check out wines and ballroom dancing at the Twilight Ballroom.  Hosted by the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Assoc., several Illinois wineries will be on hand.

As always, there will be motor sports at this year’s Illinois State Fair. USAC Silver Crown auto racing and ARCA/ReMax Super Series auto racing along with arena cross and freestyle motocross racing will take place at the fairgrounds.

Robert Sargent from Track Enterprises said, “We are very excited. The Illinois State Fair is an accumulation. There are a lot of guys that race nationally and locally and this gives them a chance to come together.”

Sargent pointed out one of the things that makes Springfield so special is the dirt one-mile oval track of which he said there are only about four or five in the nation of this size.
ITPA truck and tractor pulls will also be part of the fair. This is the first time in several years that the Demolition Derby will be at the fair.
A representative from Shaners said, “We do a lot of derbies and we are asked why we are not at the Illinois State Fair. This year we are and it is an answer to Red Necks prayers. This is their Daytona.”
Bliefneck will be driving one of the derby cars. When addressing what is new and different for this year’s fair, she said besides driving in a derby that she found a cool truck one night when watching Trick My Truck on CMT. The truck was a LaFrance fire truck that has been converted to a wedding chapel. Pastor Darrell Best, a traveling wedding minister will perform weddings and renewals during the fair.

“This year the fair is 157 years old,” Bliefnick shared. “She added there is a new ‘More for Less’ package that allows those buying four or more of the upper end tickets to the fair to get $5 off each ticket and a free Illinois State Fair tee-shirt. “

At this year’s grandstand Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kelly Clarkson, Josh Turner, Montgomery Gentry, Heart and Alex and Nat Wolff are a few of the headliners. Log on to www.illinoisstatefair.info for details about state fair events and concerts.