State Fair roundup
Friday, Aug 16, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Illinois Times…
Counting today, there are four more days of the Illinois State Fair. Have you been yet? It’s not too late, you know, to get a corndog at Vose’s, see a Grandstand show or take that ride on the Sky Glider. Once again, the Grandstand has a great lineup of remaining shows. […]
Chicago rockers The Smashing Pumpkins, led by Billy Corgan, play Friday with country singer Miranda Lambert on Saturday. Crossover artist Shaboozey with Restless Road and Reyna Roads will close the fair Sunday night. Besides the Grandstand shows, there is tons of music at the beer tents and various stages, including the Grand Central Stage. There’ll be plenty of motor racing action there this weekend with the USAC Bettenhausen 100 at 2 p.m. Saturday and the ARCA Menards Series 100 at 1 p.m. Sunday, plus a demolition derby Saturday. Be sure to check out the new attractions this year, including multiple circus performances daily, ice-skating shows, a ninja obstacle course and more.
* WAND…
While we may no longer hear the cicadas screeching in central Illinois, the artwork inspired by the billions of cicadas will live on for years to come.
Many entries in various art mediums are on display at the Illinois State Fair, including cicadas in multiple forms. Some entries were judged by art experts from the Illinois State Museum and educators from the museum and Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Those winning entries will be on display until August 18.
The IDNR Director, Natalie Phelps Finnie, says, “The response to this contest far exceeded our expectations for how much interest there would be. I think the double cicada emergence really captured a lot of people’s imaginations.” She adds, “Not only were we thrilled by the volume of entries, we also were elated by the impressive quality of the artwork that talented and creative Illinoisans shared with us.”
Even a high school art teacher got in on the action, winning Best of Show for his ink and illustration piece, “Dawn of the Cicada,” which shows a molted cicada rising to meet the dawn.
* Behold, “Dawn of the Cicada”…
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* More fair moments from the app formally known as Twitter…
* WICS…
Once again, Illinois State Fair attendees will have the opportunity to visit the popular Piglets on Parade at the Birthing Center.
The Birthing Center, which is sponsored by the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA), allows fairgoers to see newborn piglets up close. […]
Piglets on Parade is located next to the Illinois Department of Agriculture tent just East of the Coliseum and North of the Expo Building.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has a live feed of piglets.
* WGEM…
People who stopped by Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s booth Tuesday at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield got to see some special visitors.
Wild Canine Rescue brought several of its dogs available for adoption to the fair. People visiting the Comptroller’s tent could play with the dogs and start the adoption process.
It’s part of the Comptroller’s Critters program that promotes pet adoption throughout the state.
Wild Canine Rescue Founder and President Jill Egizii said it’s her fourth year bringing dogs to the fair. She’s grateful it can help them find their forever home.
* More…
* WCIA | Final harness races at Illinois State Fair rescheduled due to weather: A cancellation was initially made Tuesday night amid a rainy forecast. Now, state fair organizers say the races are set for Sept. 11 and 12. They added that the first race post time will be 11 a.m. both days. The rescheduling comes as the start time of Thursday night’s Jonas Brothers concert also moves up due to weather.
* News-Gazette | After more than 70 years, Fisher’s Seten still loves her annual State Fair excursions: The former Rose Denny got hooked on going to the Illinois State Fair in Springfield as a 15-year-old. It was 1954, and she showed horses. Seventy-one years later, she still gets a thrill from going to the fair. Every year. […] Rose, who switched from showing horses to entering items in the food competition until a few years ago, said the state fair is popular because “for the average person, it’s an introduction to agriculture in Illinois.”
* WICS | Illinois State Police to slide with Abraham Lincoln at State Fair: On Friday, August 16 at 11 a.m., Illinois State Police troopers will join Abraham Lincoln as they hit the bright yellow slopes of the Illinois State Fair Giant Slide. The officers are pleased to offer an excellent security detail as they slide down the iconic structure with Lincoln.
* SJ-R | Springfield-area ice cream shop’s special sweet treat wins award at Illinois State Fair: Chatham’s own Scoop Du Jour is the winner of the 2024 Golden Abe Fantastic Fair Food Contest, a hotly contested race every year at the Illinois State Fair. The winning item was a fair exclusive: the donut ice cream sandwich which consists of a sprinkle donut with a cookies and cream ice cream scoop wedged in between.
- Aaron B - Friday, Aug 16, 24 @ 3:18 pm:
The brood cicadas may be long gone but in my Kankakee neighborhood the normal annual cicadas a still loud and proud. We never did get any of the brood cicadas but I don’t have to even go outside to hear the cicadas in the evenings right now.