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Illinois

Have you been to the State Fair yet? If you have, what did you think of this year’s version? If not, why not?

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 10:53 am

Comments

Wednesday was BOOtiful!

Comment by Anon Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 11:11 am
I’ve never been to a state fair. Mostly financial or mostly never knew it existed or knew what goes on there. Now I have an idea and I’ve been looking for an excuse to get to Springfield. These events are as good as any.

Comment by Levois Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 11:24 am
This fair has been SO hot (until Thursday) that it was miserable. However, our family goes alot as everyone enters at least one item for judging and some culinary/vegetable/herb contests go on during the fair. It makes the Fair more fun when you can go and see your own stuff (it’s not just a carnival then).

Comment by Netta Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 11:33 am
I thought the fair was good this year. The grounds were clean. I think the weather killed attendence. The one complaint is the prices (especially beer) is getting out of hand.

Comment by He makes Ryan Look like a Saint Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 11:44 am
The weather this year simply killed. Considering what fair weather is like historically, that is saying a lot, isn’t it?

Not only was the weather misable, the entire mood of the Fair was miserable. The Fair has so many ties to politics, it suffered incredibly due to the hateful atmosphere among Illinois Democrats.

We needed a month to let things cool politically before watching these hyenas play nice. Seeing Blagojevich and Madigan grin at one another in the sweltering heat made the entire Fair a miserable affair.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 11:49 am
I never go because it’s rather inconveniently located for me. If I want to see has-been performers, there are plenty of places in Chicagoland to go to. If I wanted to see agricultural goods, I’d visit “my farm” (I’m a season shareholder in a CSA) in New Caledonia. If I want to see politicians, there’s no lack of them up here!

Comment by cermak_rd Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 11:50 am
I also found out that in 100 degree heat, carneys don’t look as bad as we do.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 11:51 am
No, for a couple of reasons-weather. It’s always far too sticky and hot this time of year. And the second reason is that after all of this budget nonsense, I don’t feel very inclined to give the state any of my money at the fair. Sure, admission is cheap but food, drinks, and anything else in there is overpriced and I’d rather not damage my wallet right now.

Comment by NI80 Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 11:53 am
Its weak. Very weak. nothing like the great GOP days, where the fair was used to promote Illinois products and services and also used as a platform for politicians to be seen. Its very unorganized, very boring, and not muhc new out there,,,,,weather hasnt helped things, but the GOP always thrived weather or not.

Comment by SpfldPolitico Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 11:59 am
Good points: low entrance fee not tied to rides; free water; Conservation World; tram. Bad points: food prices; ride prices; not enough low priced “sideline” entertainment (the Jungle-wow!); not enough air-conditioned buildings. If you can avoid “we wanna ride rides!” you’re okay. Hi-dive show needs a boost. Pity the weather was uncooperative.

Comment by JustSittinHere Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 12:03 pm
There is no question in my mind that our State Fair has deteriorated over the last 15-years. We still go every year, but it is not as much fun as it used to be.

Now, if you want to go see a good state fair, go up to Wisconsin or over to Iowa. They are still doing them right.

Comment by GA Watcher Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 12:29 pm
Too hot, too poor, too far of a drive.

Comment by Rayne of Terror Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 12:33 pm
The Fair was great!
The trained seal act the Governor brought out on Wednesday was top notch.
Too bad there was so much heat, but that is August in Central IL.
And we got to see the back side of the butter cow.

Comment by GettingJonesed Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 12:36 pm
Terribly hot! Too many golfcarts! Governor’s tent was a joke: “Welcome to the Governor’s tent” they stated- of course they were going to say that! What else would they say? “Sorry for this pathetic state of confusion and DON’T ask me about those pesky supoenas!” ?? Or “Don’t throw those tomatoes, PLEASE!” And, what happened to Key West? That was ridiculous and embarassing to HOUND Jimmy Buffett but loved the bar! Rebuffed by him and Homer Simpson….poor Springpatch!

Comment by State of Farce Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 12:42 pm
I’ve attended the IL State Fair for over 50 years now, and watched it change over that time. I like that it’s clean and has a low entrance fee. IMHO it’s becoming less and less of an agricultural fair, and more of a fried-food carnival. We still have the livestock and produce components, but most of the ag equipment and forums are gone (along with the family farms). The only thing left of farm tractors is the ones pulling the trams and some antique tractors in the southeast corner. I’d hoped that small farm/truck farm interests would replace the large ag component at the fair, but it didn’t. Unless you go to watch the grandstand event(s), the fair is pretty much the same thing year after year. I’ve considered visiting other state fairs with an ag theme in the interest of comparison.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 12:42 pm
I’d missed GA’s comments about the Iowa and Wisc fairs…I need to take a little trip next year!

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 12:47 pm
Food and Beer priced WAY TO HIGH.

Musical acts worst in years. Who negotiates these contracts?

Maybe instead of modernizing, you should go back to a “classic” fair. Nostalgia.

Comment by El Salsa Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 12:48 pm
My god! An opening grandtand act signing about “Yehaw I’m a redneck”. Get serious people. That particular act belongs in Arkansas.

Comment by Milorad Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 12:53 pm
I went last Saturday, about the same as it always is…

Comment by Crimefighter Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 1:08 pm
I have been to Iowa, Wisconsin and The Great New New York (yes that is what it is called) fairs, our fair is just fine and compares well with all of them. It’s too bad lots of people here are so plain unhappy about everything,grow up and get over yourselves.

Comment by Anon Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 1:12 pm
Anon 1:12

Thanks for the therapy session…

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 1:14 pm
Anonymous

Glad I could help but the new butter sculpture case is pretty fancy!!!

Comment by Anon Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 1:20 pm
I remember when it was billed as the “Worlds Greatest Agricultuaral Exposition” Unfortunately it is not that anymore. It is still fun but has been turned in to a political football. And as a vendor… our fees have risen a lot in the last few years. Hence the price increases. Then there are the health department rules which keep changing. Complying them also raise prices. Just a few thoughts.

Comment by Whizbang Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 2:10 pm
First off, you Chicago folks could have a real nice time if you took the Amtrak down in the early morning. Lets you off in downtown Springfield, walking distance to the Abe museum, or take the shuttle bus to the main gate of the fair. Towards the evening, catch the same train home and sleep, eat or drink all the way there.

As to the fair itself, I think the budget problems did put a huge damper on the fair and the mood of people who visit it most: those within 100 miles or less radius (about 2 hours drive).

Heat was bad in the first half, last two days have been terrific.

$5 for a shakeup is robbery, I only bought one all week.

That giant and no doubt costly TV screen by the main gate is really stupidly placed, and the continuous loop of Sam Madonia and his way-too-tight-and-short shorts put me right off ordering a corndog.

Illinois Avenue needs SHADE. Plant some trees, Hang some camo type mesh netting high overhead from poles as a shade generator. These could have sponsor logos on them to help with the cost.

The ag content is being ghettoized into one corner of the grounds more and more each year, and greasy food and cheap t-shirt and sunglass booths are overpopulating. Park tractors on or near some of the corners all over the grounds, make them kid size riding tractors and have sponsors compete by painting them up in different styles. Makes for nice photo ops for visitors and their kids. They could even be shown during the parade.

Put cows and sheep and goats in the daily parade, do more to recognize Illinois agriculture.

The Hog and Husband calling contest has been totally messed up for a couple years now. Putting wireless microphones and amplified speakers on the contestants for a loudest-voice contest makes us look retarded. If you want nice sound for media purposes, put up one of those small stages with a mike on a stand, have each caller do their call from the stage, but only feed the mike to the press. Let lungpower be the deciding factor once more. The small stage would also elevate the contestants so the crowd can see them. Eliminate the Kris Carr type 20-minute meandering skits that go nowhere. Get back to basics and just make it loudness and style. The kid that won this year was GREAT; simple, to the point, honest. I personally think they should also put the event back in the swine barn, because the whole purpose for it in the first place was to draw visitors and attention there to get an idea that there IS a hog industry in our state.

The old happy hollow/jungle area is like a desert. It’s okay while the side shows are running, but the rest of the time it is wasted space. How about bringing back something from the 40’s and have a big scouting encampment set up there? Or national guard? Or a truly giant hay bale maze, one bale high, but really really big, with a shaded tent in the middle with cool drinks and snacks? Bales are cheap and easy to get for the fair already.

Comment by Everybody Loves Hypnotoad Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 2:13 pm
Why would anyone leave Chicago this weekend to attend the fair? I would rather watch the Cubs/Cardinals series or the Air and Watch show, and then eat a miscellaneous item on a stick while in the Miller Lite tent listening to F5.

Comment by JERKSTORE Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 2:53 pm
I agree with the lack of agriculture at the fair anymore. That’s the whole point of the fair, for kids to show their animals and crops and earn money for college. Everything else is fringe. As far as the comment about the “yehaw, i’m a redneck” acts on the grandstand….if the focus of the fair is AGRICULTURE, then the grandstand entertainment should be geared as such. Besides, haven’t the biggest concerts in recent years been the country acts?

Comment by Miranda Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 3:02 pm
Outstanding pork chops on a stick.

Dan Hynes’ speech (at the Crowne Plaza) worth every bit of the heat and expense. That was leadership.

Treasurer G has got some game and is gonna grow into it all just fine.

Comment by RFK fan Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 3:06 pm
Every year I go to the fair during the first weekend, to see the draft horse and mule competitions. This year it was too hot. I suppose I could go the second weekend of the fair, but I probably won’t. Most of the ag things that I would normally see are over.

Comment by Fair Weather Fair Attendee Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 3:57 pm
I was there Thursday right before the big storm. Later humidity stared to climb. There is something about the horses and cattle that I like even though I have almost no idea what I am supposed to look for. The hog auction was pretty good. I agree that the Fair has moved away from an agricultural base. Far fewer hot tub sales places. Liked the Screaming Vatos in the Miller tent. Hated the $9 for a polish and small drink. Really was disappointed with the Ethnic Village food which is usually pretty good. This year calling it bland is giving it too much taste. The Ron Paul for President peple were everywhere. Attendance was very light even later in the early night. I will be back Saturday for Joe Walsh.

Comment by zatoichi Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 4:14 pm
I went yesterday for Republican Day and the final day of harness racing. Republican Day was overrun with bussed in shills for the “straw poll”; what a joke. A little rain in the morning and they cancelled the harness racing for the day adnd rescheduled it for Friday; another joke. I left after about 1 1/2 hours and a corn dog. Not what I would call a good day at the fair.

Comment by Jechislo Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 6:58 pm
I only went one time this year as part of a group that played in the Ethnic Village. Way too hot!
Also, we had to get large pieces of equipment from our cars to the venue, which only added to discomfort. Once we were done, 3 hours later, we had to schlep it all back, all the while being passed by those sweet young things in their golf carts, already going in the direction we were headed. Just a thought, folks - if you see overheated musicians dressed in a hot uniforms tiredly pulling carts of drums, etc., how about asking if they could use a lift? Most of the golf carts are thought of as status symbols by their drivers (go figure) but they could offer a ride to some very over-heated and tired performers who did a 3 hour gig in 101 degrees, free of charge.

My favorite fair things are the Clydesdales, all other horses, cows, and the FFA baby animal shed. Fair food looks delicious but the calorie count keeps me away from it. I usually try to have an ice cream in the Dairy area or some Dippin’ Dots but fried everything is hard on the tummy. The best part of the fair is people watching. I am always amused and awed by some of what I see. My grandchildren’s mouths just hang open while they watch the parade of humanity.
And last of all, the fireworks are terrific.

Comment by Disgusted Friday, Aug 17, 07 @ 8:08 pm
The BEST food at the fair were the FABULOUS mango smoothies in the India booth. I spent a fortune on them and they were worth every penney!

Comment by Criminal Enterprise Called Springfield Saturday, Aug 18, 07 @ 1:40 am
Wow - I’m ashamed to say I’ve lived in Spfld for 25 years and wasn’t even aware agriculture was a theme for anything remotely connected with the State Fair. I thought it was just something they filled space with. And that space is dwindling. That’s too bad, because the 4-H/farm kids are the nicest, friendliest group you’ll ever encounter. No drug use, alcoholism or gangs there. It’s the way life used to be and should return to.

Comment by Unaware Saturday, Aug 18, 07 @ 2:42 pm