You know me by sight: I was an IIS/ IOCI cameraman for over 30 years, under 7 governors, retired in November. (I’m the big guy in back in the poster) We spent a lot of time cooling our heels outside the Gov’s office waiting for the 4 tops to come out of meetings, over the years. This is the band I belong to, playing at the Senior Center at the Illinois Building at the Fair today, 4 PM. All electric ukuleles, playing a broad variety of genres on our third concert for Dept. On Aging. Pop by on your way to the Sale of Champions maybe? 4:00 PM in the exhibit hall. We’d appreciate a plug to get more folks to come see us. Mahalo!
The enclosed poster…
All electric ukuleles? Sounds kinda cool.
* Press release…
Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) representatives, including Secretary Jennifer Ricker, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch the second annual Tech Prairie STEAM Expo at 10 a.m. on Aug. 17 at the Illinois State Fair.
The Expo will provide a forum to highlight K-12 and postsecondary education, business, industry, research, and development related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics in Illinois with a goal of allowing the community space to engage, interact, and explore with exhibitors from across the state.
“STEAM plays a major role in our day-to-day lives and I’m thrilled to debut this year’s Tech Prairie STEAM Expo,” said DoIT Secretary Jennifer Ricker. “At DoIT, we believe exposing STEAM to kids at an early age helps them build a strong foundation to become successful innovators and future leaders. We hope you’ll join us as we kick off this exciting educational opportunity at the fair.”
The Expo will highlight the incredible innovation and emerging career and educational opportunities in STEAM fields throughout the state during the great celebration that is the Illinois State Fair.
WHAT: Tech Prairie STEAM Expo Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Orr Building, Main Stage
Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield
* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) Tent will be a destination for fairgoers during the 2022 Illinois State Fair. Free food samples, apple cider slushies, USDA Beagle Brigade, free kids crafts, free caricatures and balloon animals, peddle tractors and the corn sensory-play table celebrates agriculture’s impact on Illinois.
“Over the course of the last year and half our locally grown products have become more important than ever,” said IDOA Director Jerry Costello. “People want to know where their food is coming from and to give them the chance to meet the farmers growing it is even better. We will have farmers from traditional to urban, covering the full scope of Illinois agriculture.”
Activities taking place at the IDOA Tent include:
Artisan Market-Enjoy FREE samples from local food artisans, August 12th-14th! Featuring: Uncle Joe’s BBQ, Rolling Lawns Ice Cream, Ropp Jersey Cheese, A Lil Sumpin’ Special Desserts, Fruit of the Spirit Jams, Glaciers End Shrubs, Golden Hour Bake House Baked Goods, Grand Oak Farm Breads, Hello Water Drinks, JR’s Seasoning, Peter’s Produce Snacks, Spiceocity Seasoning, Umland’s Crunchy Cheese, and Whisk Me Away Baked Goods.
AgVenture Kids Area-Take your children on an AgVenture and learn the importance of Illinois agriculture through play. Featuring: pedal tractors, crafts, piglets, the corn sensory bin and opportunities for FREE balloon animals and caricatures, check the daily schedule for times.
Illinois Specialty Growers Farm Stand- Serving apple cider slushies, watermelon, soft-serve ice cream, sweet corn, and peaches.
Illinois Farm Bureau Stage-Check the daily schedule for the exciting things happening on the Illinois Farm Bureau Stage, including the USDA Beagle Brigade, Hemp-crete demonstrations from the Illinois Hemp Growers Association, the Lego Bee-Hive Build, Farmer Phil, and much more!
HyVee Illinois Product Store-Shop your favorite local products at the HyVee Illinois Product Store! Featuring: Donny B’s Popcorn, Turasky’s Meats, Ropp Jersey Cheese, Riley’s Seasoning,
Prevail Jerky, Froozeballs, Spiceocity Seasonings, Peter’s Produce Snacks, and Whisk Me Away Baked Goods.
The IDOA Tent will be open daily 10am to 8pm and 10am to 6pm the last Sunday of the fair. Check the daily schedule for details.
Events today in Springfield: Democratic Party leaders will elect officers to work with new party Chair Lisa Hernandez.
Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) will host a Farm Bill roundtable with state Sen. Patrick Joyce at the fair at 11:30 a.m.
The Illinois AFL-CIO Vote Yes for Workers Rights group is having a cookout.
Darren Bailey headlines a GOP Unity Event at Mariah’s Steakhouse & Pasta.
And Senate President Don Harmon and the Senate Democratic Caucus will rally at the Illinois Association of Beer Distributors.
Bailey’s unity event is tomorrow. All you’ll get at Mariah’s today is good food.
* And the Willie Nelson show starts at 8 with his special guest Elle King. I haven’t been to the fairgrounds yet, so I haven’t seen the renovations…
The 2022 Illinois State Fair is open in Springfield with over $48 million worth of renovations to the fairgrounds. […]
The project included paving the roadways in front of the cattle barn, swine barn, and the Avenue of Flags as a part of the first phase of renovations.
Costello also announced a multi-million dollar construction project to renovate the fairground’s multi-purpose arena.
“Construction is underway right now, restoring and renovating the multi-purpose arena,” Costello said. “That is an $8.6 million project.” […]
“I would also mention that the second phase of The Coliseum renovations will start in September,” Costello said. “These are just a few of the projects we are working on to attract visitors year-round.”
Looking forward to seeing Willy again after seeing him on a regular basis during the Thompson years. Couldn’t ask for better weather. Should be a blast (banned punctuation)
The last time I saw Willie Nelson was in a performance at “June Jam,” a weekend festival previously hosted by the band, Alabama, on their mountain side. I wish I could see him tonight, but we went last weekend. I was impressed by the quality of the bands we saw, even those in genres I do not like. Good stuff this year.
The ukuleles are cool and they are quite talented. And Rich, if you want to hear one of the funniest stories ever, ask Ms Stout about when she had ukuleles stolen.
Saw Willie a few weeks back in STL. Still sounds as great as ever! Mika played with him and also sounded good. I wonder which family members will be there tonight?
- Leap Day William - Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 10:32 am:
Going to go see Willie tonight, and it will be my first-ever visit to the Illinois State Fair.
- Just Sayin - Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 10:36 am:
I wonder how Grateful Dead classics sound when played on electric ukeleles.
- Jayhawks Rule - Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 11:20 am:
Looking forward to seeing Willy again after seeing him on a regular basis during the Thompson years. Couldn’t ask for better weather. Should be a blast (banned punctuation)
- Highland IL - Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 11:20 am:
Any takers on betting if Bailey visits the Mobile Museum of Tolerance?
- Give Us Barabbas - Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 11:29 am:
“Ripple” sounds just fine on them.
- Blue Dog - Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 11:48 am:
would love to see JCII run for governor or US senate. he might be considered a blue dog.
- H-W - Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 12:22 pm:
The last time I saw Willie Nelson was in a performance at “June Jam,” a weekend festival previously hosted by the band, Alabama, on their mountain side. I wish I could see him tonight, but we went last weekend. I was impressed by the quality of the bands we saw, even those in genres I do not like. Good stuff this year.
- Lurker - Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 12:22 pm:
The ukuleles are cool and they are quite talented. And Rich, if you want to hear one of the funniest stories ever, ask Ms Stout about when she had ukuleles stolen.
- Rural Democrat - Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 12:37 pm:
Also Mike Kienzler, former editor of the City/State section of the SJ-R, is the other guy with a hat in the picture.
- NoMoreMC - Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 1:57 pm:
Saw Willie a few weeks back in STL. Still sounds as great as ever! Mika played with him and also sounded good. I wonder which family members will be there tonight?