That a real truck or a big bellied citizen tripping on a loose shoe lace while noshing something on a stick, carrying a elephant ear, and balancing a fried Mountain Dew?
Oh Great! Another diving contest! Maybe the Illinois State Fair will be mentioned on the Olympic Diving coverage as the next venue….Who’s truck, by the way?
@zatoichi –big bellied citizen tripping on a loose shoe lace while noshing something on a stick, carrying a elephant ear, and balancing a fried Mountain Dew–
I’d appreciate if you’d keep personal attacks at me out of the comments. Thanks
You might be a Redneck if; Your wife has ever said, “Come move this transmission so I can take a bath.
“You think the French Riviera is foreign car.
You see no need to stop at a rest stop ’cause you have an empty milk jug.
You have a Hefty bag on the passenger side window of your car
You can change the oil in your truck without ducking your head.
You think that John Deere Green, Ford Blue, and Primer Gray are the three of the primary colors.
..and one of my favorites..
Your dad walks you to school because you are both in the same grade.
It’s a pejorative that describes the sunburn you get from working outside all day producing the food that feeds the world. Supposedly, it means you’re some no-account ignoramus who doesn’t have the sense or brains to sit at a desk all day.
If you want to celebrate rural Illinois history and culture, here are a few suggestions:
–Edgar Lee Masters Weekend (the folks from Spoon River live forever).
–Mother Jones Weekend (that sweet old Irish lassie from Macoupin County had some strong opinions).
–Grand Army of the Republic Weekend (a lot of Illinois farmboys put down the plow for a while to take care of some serious business in the 1860s).
Many more.
But you can stick that redneck stuff.
- Enemy of the State - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 12:32 pm:
How about a fund raiser where Monster Trucks jump over members of the General Assembly placed end to end?
OneMan, don’t forget the “Lyin’, Scratchin, Snarlin’ and Clawin’ Your Way Up The Ivory Tower Beauty Contest”.
That’s always been one of my favorites. And I hear that the entertainment does not stop after the show, so there’s plenty of material for follow-up interviews at next year’s event. AND the contestants are always happy to do their own publicity meaing that the State SHOULDN’T have to pay for that–even though it will be expected to do so.
Good for you, OneMan. I thought that once, too, as I looked out my office window…until I found out someone had, without permission or any desire on my part, “enrolled” me in an Ivory Tower contest. I think it started out with someone filling in one of those “want to win a free vacation?” cards found at tradeshows with my name on it…and the harassment just went on from there.
Esteban, the State Fair is traditionally held after the end of most county fairs. That way, 4H kids who win their local competitions can take their projects/animals/etc. to state.
- champaigndweller - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:42 pm:
Considering how sensitive the government is to harrassment, discrimination, etc, I wonder why the use of the term “redneck” for a government-sponsored event is now considered acceptable. I’d like to know which genius in State government came up with that.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:47 pm:
The fella mentioning “Redneck Weekend” was obviously cleaning his mouth and it went off!
Well….at least it wasn’t called Dumb Bubba weekend. Most of the true rednecks I know are hardworking, smart,fiercely independent, and usually have a pretty partner with them.
They know more about surviving than anyone, and can throw one heck of a good gathering. Like others, I’d be proud to be called a redneck.
Rather than watching someone nearly ruin a truck, I’d prefer spending time trying one of each of the fine fair delights, touring the barns, and looking at all the great exhibits. Might even enjoy a very cold beer or two and catch some of the musical entertainment.
- phocion - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:08 am:
Cool! I’m there.
- Wensicia - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:16 am:
If you like performing backflips in monster trucks, you’re probably a redneck.
With all due respect to Jeff Foxworthy.
- Coach - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:19 am:
And the most popular slogan at that event …
“Keep the Guvmint out of my Medicare!”
- Cheryl - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:23 am:
I had to perform a search using Google on the term “monster truck backflips.” Now I know what a monster truck is, and that you can do that with them.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:24 am:
And all this time I thought every weekend at the state fair was a redneck weekend.
- zatoichi - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:24 am:
That a real truck or a big bellied citizen tripping on a loose shoe lace while noshing something on a stick, carrying a elephant ear, and balancing a fried Mountain Dew?
- How Ironic - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:29 am:
No word on if the $2 discount for ‘outstanding mullet’ on entrance fee is just rumor or fact.
- Mouthy - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:36 am:
Oh Great! Another diving contest! Maybe the Illinois State Fair will be mentioned on the Olympic Diving coverage as the next venue….Who’s truck, by the way?
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:44 am:
Will this be on Saturday or on SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY?
- TCB - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:45 am:
@zatoichi –big bellied citizen tripping on a loose shoe lace while noshing something on a stick, carrying a elephant ear, and balancing a fried Mountain Dew–
I’d appreciate if you’d keep personal attacks at me out of the comments. Thanks
- Red Ranger - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:46 am:
Will weekend number one at the State Fair be “Suburban Elitists Scoffing at Downstate Folk Weekend?”
- Plutocrat03 - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:47 am:
Sounds like fun to me.
As long as the legislature doe not want to save the monster truck from it’s inevitable fate….
- WazUp - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:48 am:
You might be a Redneck if; Your wife has ever said, “Come move this transmission so I can take a bath.
“You think the French Riviera is foreign car.
You see no need to stop at a rest stop ’cause you have an empty milk jug.
You have a Hefty bag on the passenger side window of your car
You can change the oil in your truck without ducking your head.
You think that John Deere Green, Ford Blue, and Primer Gray are the three of the primary colors.
..and one of my favorites..
Your dad walks you to school because you are both in the same grade.
- John A Logan - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:54 am:
Finally…a reason to not shut down the state fair.
- SO IL M - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:58 am:
To be followed by the elected officials Monstrous Flip Flop contest.
- Downstate - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 12:04 pm:
Thank God the fair finally has something for us . P.S. Rich I think you shot AR-15 with 30 rd mag .
- wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 12:25 pm:
This old farm boy is not cool with “redneck.”
It’s a pejorative that describes the sunburn you get from working outside all day producing the food that feeds the world. Supposedly, it means you’re some no-account ignoramus who doesn’t have the sense or brains to sit at a desk all day.
If you want to celebrate rural Illinois history and culture, here are a few suggestions:
–Edgar Lee Masters Weekend (the folks from Spoon River live forever).
–Mother Jones Weekend (that sweet old Irish lassie from Macoupin County had some strong opinions).
–Grand Army of the Republic Weekend (a lot of Illinois farmboys put down the plow for a while to take care of some serious business in the 1860s).
Many more.
But you can stick that redneck stuff.
- Enemy of the State - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 12:32 pm:
How about a fund raiser where Monster Trucks jump over members of the General Assembly placed end to end?
- Team Sleep - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 12:44 pm:
Gee - and people wonder why I put down the State Fair organizers for not scheduling contemporary rock or R & B acts.
- OneMan - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 12:47 pm:
I would suggest Urban and Suburban Elitists and activities for the entire family include.
Quest for Organic Soy products at any of the food booths…
Find the free range deep fried anything…
Using your iphone to find the nearest Whole Foods
Volvo parking demonstration..
Things others find entertaining display
Yes, this is really the location of the State Capitol Fun Fair…
Do you best not to smile going down the giant slide.
- Team Sleep - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 1:02 pm:
Word - thanks for the Macoupin County shout-out. The Mother Jones Memorial is pretty cool.
Enough home area shilling. Back to work.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 1:15 pm:
You are missing out if you have not youtubed monster truck backflip
- zatoichi - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 1:20 pm:
TCB, that was originally ‘big butted citizen’, but I held back since this is a very delicate, sensitive blog.
- Just the Facts - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 1:23 pm:
The comment seems to sum up the Quinn administration’s view of those of us from south of I-80. I agree with Wordslinger.
- dupage dan - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 1:32 pm:
Some of my best friends are rednecks.
- Mike Riopell - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 1:40 pm:
Don’t hate, Rich. I’ve been thinking about how a monster truck backflip would work all day.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 1:55 pm:
OneMan, don’t forget the “Lyin’, Scratchin, Snarlin’ and Clawin’ Your Way Up The Ivory Tower Beauty Contest”.
That’s always been one of my favorites. And I hear that the entertainment does not stop after the show, so there’s plenty of material for follow-up interviews at next year’s event. AND the contestants are always happy to do their own publicity meaing that the State SHOULDN’T have to pay for that–even though it will be expected to do so.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 1:58 pm:
I’m with word slinger. Both my parents were farmers. No one works harder. Enough said.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:00 pm:
I guess Redneck is one of the last slurs that even government is comfortable with.
I look forward to future state fair weekends that celebrate our amazing diversity:
–”Drunken Mick Weekend.”
–”Thieving Wop Weekend.”
–”Christ-Killer Jew Weekend….”
The list goes on and on. Have fun!
- OneMan - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:00 pm:
Anonymous, sitting at my desk with a view of the Chicago River and the lake if I lean right, I am in no place to judge too hard.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:09 pm:
Good for you, OneMan. I thought that once, too, as I looked out my office window…until I found out someone had, without permission or any desire on my part, “enrolled” me in an Ivory Tower contest. I think it started out with someone filling in one of those “want to win a free vacation?” cards found at tradeshows with my name on it…and the harassment just went on from there.
- Stones - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:10 pm:
And sometimes we wonder why 1/2 of the US makes fun of us.
- OneMan - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:23 pm:
It’s more of a glass tower anyway…
But even with all my education, I would love to see a monster truck do a backflip live.
- Esteban - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:36 pm:
Does anyone know why the folks in charge of such
things insist on having the State Fair at what is,
typically, the hottest time of the year?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:39 pm:
Esteban, the State Fair is traditionally held after the end of most county fairs. That way, 4H kids who win their local competitions can take their projects/animals/etc. to state.
- champaigndweller - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:42 pm:
Considering how sensitive the government is to harrassment, discrimination, etc, I wonder why the use of the term “redneck” for a government-sponsored event is now considered acceptable. I’d like to know which genius in State government came up with that.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:47 pm:
@champaigndweller -
Mike Riopell is here. Perhaps he’ll name names.
- well... - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 3:06 pm:
Esteban, in addition to Rich’s point, sweating into your fair food adds a unique flavor that can only be found in the dog days of August.
May everyones’ turkey legs and fried onion straws be extra salty this year.
- Huh? - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 4:04 pm:
“Will weekend number one at the State Fair be “Suburban Elitists Scoffing at Downstate Folk Weekend?””
There is no reason to encourage suburban elitist to travel south of I-80. They do enough sneering from where are are located.
- Sunshine - Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 4:45 pm:
The fella mentioning “Redneck Weekend” was obviously cleaning his mouth and it went off!
Well….at least it wasn’t called Dumb Bubba weekend. Most of the true rednecks I know are hardworking, smart,fiercely independent, and usually have a pretty partner with them.
They know more about surviving than anyone, and can throw one heck of a good gathering. Like others, I’d be proud to be called a redneck.
Rather than watching someone nearly ruin a truck, I’d prefer spending time trying one of each of the fine fair delights, touring the barns, and looking at all the great exhibits. Might even enjoy a very cold beer or two and catch some of the musical entertainment.
- Springfield Dan - Friday, Aug 3, 12 @ 8:26 am:
I don’t often have an urge to attend the fair, but when I do I make a quik trip to Walmart