Today would have been the start of @ILStateFair, I got nostalgic and dug through my archives for some of my favorite moments from over the years. Some days it can be brutal, but when the weather is nice and the light is good, it's a visual playground. https://t.co/ry0×4YORlBpic.twitter.com/qfycD9tw3Q
Before we were married, my wife and I would go to the harness races at the grandstand and place bets just by using the horses name. We would also go to ethnic village and sneak “premium beer” from there across the fairgrounds to the grandstand.
I was there by myself for some odd reason and wandered by a beer tent and happened to hear The Screaming Vatos. The downside was that it was way too loud for me, so I had to watch from behind the stage.
Being stuck at work and watching the webcams. Rich taking a ride down the hill in a golf cart. County Fair Day on the Directors yard. Bumping into people you have not seen since last fair.
I’ve only been to the state fair once, 1969. I was there with a group of folk music singers from the High School Choir. I sang and played the guitar for the group. We played on one of the smaller buildings stages. It was packed full of people, what an experience for a 17 year old. I was introduced to lemon shake ups there, I had never heard of one. I am hooked for life.
- Give Us Barabbas - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 2:19 pm:
1973 - track seats at concerts were no charge first come first served. Saw Seals and Crofts, Loggins and Messina, and the 5th Dimension. First concerts I ever went to and first first hand brush with a certain aroma common at concerts, particularly the first two. Precious memories, how they linger.
Raced Big Jim on the yellow slide one year. In my memory we were on at the same time — but I suspect he opened it or something and I got to go right after him.
Seeing Cheap Trick. Saw them regularly at Teds Warehouse in Charleston when they did the bar circuit. Took a friend who had never been to a rock concert to see Kiss. They were ok and that remains his one rock concert. Amazing how big those draft horses are.
- Early Illinoisan - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:22 pm:
Ran the Press Room for the Fair in 1978 and 1979. (Temporary gig during and right out of college). Working with Gov. Thompson and his press staff (Dave Gilbert, Woody Mosgers, Jim Skilbeck, Mars Cassidy) was a hoot. Bringing the Governor back for jalapeño chili with Willie Nelson and many other great memories.
Willie Nelson’s last concert in the Grandstand, the last year Gov. Thompson was in office. I guess he knew he wouldn’t be back the next year, and he sang several old gospel standards at the end of his last set. We had to leave before he finished because we had small children with us, but it was just a magical moment.
My husband (deceased 2019) and I met at the IL State Fair at a concert on August 18, 1977. We were together for 42 years. Next week, Tuesday the 18th, will be a hard day for me. I wish the Fair were open so that I could go and reminisce.
As a child, my parents drove to Springfield for the state fair. It’s the only time I was ever there. I enjoyed all the livestock and I remember that Bob Hope was there for a show. He was always funny. This was around 1965.
Being in a small town High School Jazz Band from western McHenry Co. in 1979 and heading to the State Fair to compete in the State Jazz Band Championship. We actually had a few good musicians and somehow the small town won. I know, not as good as “Hoosiers” but it’s my best memory of the fair.
- Behind the Scenes - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 5:37 pm:
Maybe Dumbest memory. Was given two Reviewing Stand seats one year (remember when there was such a thing?) Anyway, had never heard of the headliner so gave the tix to a co-worker who was thrilled to get them. Garth Brooks was on his way up that summer. Ooops….
- Boone's is Back - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 1:36 pm:
Hanging with Rich in a golf cart!
- pool boy - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 1:37 pm:
Before we were married, my wife and I would go to the harness races at the grandstand and place bets just by using the horses name. We would also go to ethnic village and sneak “premium beer” from there across the fairgrounds to the grandstand.
- BluegrassBoy - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 1:37 pm:
Ill never forget the first time I saw those huge catfish at conservation world in the round tanks.
- Rockin' n' Rollin' - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 1:55 pm:
Train concert in 2012; Andy Grammer was the opening act. Phenomenal performance by both — those guys really put on a show!
- Skeptic - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 2:01 pm:
I was there by myself for some odd reason and wandered by a beer tent and happened to hear The Screaming Vatos. The downside was that it was way too loud for me, so I had to watch from behind the stage.
- Reality - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 2:06 pm:
The Who 1968.
- Down South - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 2:13 pm:
Being stuck at work and watching the webcams. Rich taking a ride down the hill in a golf cart. County Fair Day on the Directors yard. Bumping into people you have not seen since last fair.
- reelpro - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 2:17 pm:
I’ve only been to the state fair once, 1969. I was there with a group of folk music singers from the High School Choir. I sang and played the guitar for the group. We played on one of the smaller buildings stages. It was packed full of people, what an experience for a 17 year old. I was introduced to lemon shake ups there, I had never heard of one. I am hooked for life.
- Give Us Barabbas - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 2:19 pm:
Daring Bernie to get on the ferris wheel again.
- RNUG - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 2:21 pm:
Fondest: probably the concerts in the late 60’s and 70’s.
Scariest: getting caught with Mrs RNUG on the Sky Glider in the middle in a big storm that just blew in without much warning
- RNUG - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 2:22 pm:
And if is just memories associated with the State Fairgrounds … when VALCO had their car shows every Fall.
- Typical - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 2:24 pm:
Bob Dylan concert in 2000 or was it 2001? I’m old now.
- Captain Obvious - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 2:24 pm:
1973 - track seats at concerts were no charge first come first served. Saw Seals and Crofts, Loggins and Messina, and the 5th Dimension. First concerts I ever went to and first first hand brush with a certain aroma common at concerts, particularly the first two. Precious memories, how they linger.
- @misterjayem - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 2:30 pm:
Rode the teacups with MrsJM.
Got violently ill.
Still had a really good time.
– MrJM
- WH Mess - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 2:41 pm:
Raced Big Jim on the yellow slide one year. In my memory we were on at the same time — but I suspect he opened it or something and I got to go right after him.
- zatoichi - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 2:55 pm:
Seeing Cheap Trick. Saw them regularly at Teds Warehouse in Charleston when they did the bar circuit. Took a friend who had never been to a rock concert to see Kiss. They were ok and that remains his one rock concert. Amazing how big those draft horses are.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 2:55 pm:
1983 Beach Boys concert.
2009 went with my wife and our own kids who were little at the time. We had a blast. I really miss those days.
- Northwest by North - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:14 pm:
Grandstand concerts: Beach Boys & The Who. Stock car races on the track.
- notsosure - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:19 pm:
Bay City Rollers
- Early Illinoisan - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:22 pm:
Ran the Press Room for the Fair in 1978 and 1979. (Temporary gig during and right out of college). Working with Gov. Thompson and his press staff (Dave Gilbert, Woody Mosgers, Jim Skilbeck, Mars Cassidy) was a hoot. Bringing the Governor back for jalapeño chili with Willie Nelson and many other great memories.
- olddog - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:38 pm:
Willie Nelson’s last concert in the Grandstand, the last year Gov. Thompson was in office. I guess he knew he wouldn’t be back the next year, and he sang several old gospel standards at the end of his last set. We had to leave before he finished because we had small children with us, but it was just a magical moment.
- Sal - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:40 pm:
My husband (deceased 2019) and I met at the IL State Fair at a concert on August 18, 1977. We were together for 42 years. Next week, Tuesday the 18th, will be a hard day for me. I wish the Fair were open so that I could go and reminisce.
- Bertrum Cates - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:47 pm:
That photo of the Midway during the flood is forever etched in my memory. J Fowl has an eye.
Fondest: I think watching my childhood best friend take home some bling for his cows takes the (cow) pie.
Most terrifying: = Hanging with Rich in a golf cart! =
Wish I could have known the Thompson fair.
- Mama - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:53 pm:
Enjoyed meeting up with old friends and partying in the Beer Tents. And I loved the concerts and horse races.
- up2now - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:11 pm:
Mid-1960s, seeing an X-15 on display.
- "Old Timer Dem" - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:22 pm:
As a child, my parents drove to Springfield for the state fair. It’s the only time I was ever there. I enjoyed all the livestock and I remember that Bob Hope was there for a show. He was always funny. This was around 1965.
- flea - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:43 pm:
hawkin frosty malts in the grandsta
nd
- Lt Guv - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:50 pm:
Being in a small town High School Jazz Band from western McHenry Co. in 1979 and heading to the State Fair to compete in the State Jazz Band Championship. We actually had a few good musicians and somehow the small town won. I know, not as good as “Hoosiers” but it’s my best memory of the fair.
- Behind the Scenes - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 5:37 pm:
Maybe Dumbest memory. Was given two Reviewing Stand seats one year (remember when there was such a thing?) Anyway, had never heard of the headliner so gave the tix to a co-worker who was thrilled to get them. Garth Brooks was on his way up that summer. Ooops….
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 7:27 pm:
Sam Madonia doing nonstop play-by-play on the PA during the day.