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2022 Illinois State Fair begins Thursday

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Illinois

* Jesse White kicks off the Illinois State Fair as the Twilight Parade’s Grand Marshal. NPR…

White, who was first elected in 1998, had previously announced he won’t seek another term this year. The Democrat is the longest serving Secretary of State in Illinois history. He also spent 16 years in the Illinois General Assembly. […]

“Jesse White has spent his entire life devoted to service,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “From his time in the US Army, to inspiring our youth with decades of public service, his example should be celebrated throughout the state of Illinois. I couldn’t be prouder to join this great Illinoisan in leading the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade.”

“We are thrilled to have Jesse White kick off the 2022 Twilight Parade,” said Rebecca Clark, Illinois State Fair Manager. “His years of participation in this parade with the famous Jesse White Tumbling Team has wowed children and adults for years. His participation this year embodies our Grow With Us theme.”

The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday August 11.

* The State Journal-Register offers a guide for everything State Fair…

The theme of this year’s fair is “Grow With Us,” so it’s appropriate that IDOA has a tent spotlighting Illinois farmers, complete with three booths allowing visitors to sample and purchase home-grown food and groceries, an area for kids which allows little ones to ride a tractor or pet a piglet and even a stage for shows spotlighting Illinois farmers. […]

The fair is open from 7 a.m. to midnight on the 11th. However, rides are not open until 3 p.m., as maintenance and inspection work is being conducted.

Traffic on the roads around the fairgrounds will be limited to one way beginning Aug. 11 at 5 a.m., with Sangamon Avenue traffic moving east, Peoria Road going north, Taintor Road going west and Fifth Street going south.

* Agriculture is at the heart of the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. Illinois Farmer…

“We try to weave agriculture into every acre of the fair,” said Rebecca Clark, Illinois State Fair manager. […]

The first day of the fair this year kicks off with an additional day of harness racing. Horses will already be up and running as vendors set up and the Midway gets rolling.

“We see it as a time to introduce harness racing to a whole new generation,” Clark said.

Illinois Beef Association and Prairie Farms are sponsoring an ice cream social near the harness races at noon. The first 100 kids also get a stick horse to take home. Not everyone sees harness racing as agriculture, the fair manager said, but the tie in with beef and dairy helps bring it all together.

* A new “Dino-mite” attraction in Happy Hollow. WCIA…

The fair is hosting a prehistoric habitat complete with 21 animatronic dinosaurs for kids, families and dinosaur fans of all ages.

“What you’re doing is you’re walking through dinosaur time,” ‘Dino’ Don Lessem, the owner of the exhibit, said. “You get the whole idea of how these animals evolved and disappeared.”

Dino Don started his company in 1993, and has published books and consulted on dinosaur films like Jurassic Park. According to his website, the herbivore dinosaur Lessemsaurus was named after Dino Don to thank his contributions to the study of dinosaurs.

* Press release…

The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA), the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and the Illinois State Fair invite veterans and their family members to enjoy a free day at the Illinois State Fair on Sunday, August 14, 2022. This annual event offers exciting events, programs, and music. It concludes with a parade led by Governor JB Pritzker and IDVA Director Terry Prince along with veterans’ organizations, JROTC teams, and IDVA staff. This year’s theme, “Veterans Build Illinois,” features remarks from Brad Schaive, LIUNA Local 477.

Veterans and their families can show any form of military ID for free admission. Parking is not included.

All events take place at the Lincoln Stage.

* WICS…

The Illinois State Fair announced on Tuesday that an electric vehicle charging station will be provided for fairgoers.

The chargers will be located near Gate 7 entrance in Lot 21 along 8th Street near Conservation World.

There can be two electric vehicles charging simultaneously.

* Treat your taste buds. Shaw Local…

The state fair website lists more than 150 food vendors. Many are participating in Feeding Frenzy, with daily discounts from 2 to 5 p.m. […]

If you’re looking for the Ethnic Village, this year it’s branded Village of Cultures. On the cuisine side that includes African, Cajun, Cuban, Filipino, German, Greek, Jamaican, Lithuanian, Mediterranean, Mexican and regional American options.

Are you going?

posted by Isabel Miller
Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 1:26 pm

Comments

Yea. But not by choice.

Comment by New Day Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 1:28 pm
Jesse White will be Grand Marshal of the parade, and simultaneously DJing the Libertarian tent party. /s

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 1:34 pm
Yes! And follow the Illinois State Fairy Godmother @ILSTFairyGodM for tips and suggestions about the best parts of the fair!

Comment by Ubecha Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 1:37 pm
I’ll be in attendance but not as a willing party most days.

$18 for a bucket of doughnuts and a Vose Corndog is now $4. But they are items you can only get a few times each so I’ll still open up the wallet for “fair food”

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 1:38 pm
Have to go.

Things not to be missed, Vose Corn Dogs, Pork Chop on a Stick, As Rich calls them, “Hacks in the Back” on Gov’s Day on the Director’s Lawn.

Most importantly, Thursday is GOP Day when they will do everything they can to keep their Gov and AG Candidates away from the media, Trump flags away from the fairgrounds and most of all, a local GOP office holder away from the PA.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 1:43 pm
Going to see Willie Nelson. Yippee (banned punctuation)

Comment by Dog Lover Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 1:46 pm
Jesse White has been a fine elected official, but his greatest gift to our state is the Jesse White Tumblers! Great program for youth and stellar entertainment.

Comment by Seymourkid Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 1:58 pm
That dinosaur attraction makes me jealous that I’m not 8 years old anymore. Animatronic dinosaurs. When I was a kid, if I had seen moving dinosaurs my mind would have been blown.

Comment by Baloneymous Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 1:59 pm
Going to the harness races next Thursday. With my luck, it will rain. But then there’s always the beer tent and a vegan gyro.

Comment by Furtive Look Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 2:02 pm
I have every intention to attend one of the days.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 2:07 pm
Sam Madonia will be back again this year announcing from the PA during the day (and then in the past it was Tim Schweitzer at night). In addition to hosting 1450’s AM Springfield from the fair too.

Comment by Just Sayin Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 2:26 pm
No. I wish I could though.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 2:26 pm
“Are you going?”

Yes.

You should always see Willie Nelson whenever you can, because he’ll probably stop touring in the next 20 to 30 years.

– MrJM

Comment by MisterJayEm Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 2:31 pm
Years ago, we went to State fair when my daughters were in 4H. It was interesting. But not as an annual must go to event.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 2:37 pm
MrJM, I hope you’re right about how long Willie will tour.

Comment by Dog Lover Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 2:47 pm
I wish Rebecca Clark all the best. She works hard and I know she’ll do great.

Comment by Lurker Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 2:49 pm
Going to see Jim Peterick for sure. Wanted Trevor Tix but couldn’t afford em.

There’s no hog calling contest this year. Chris Karr must be beside himself.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 4:57 pm