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The centennial DuQuoin State Fair kicks off today.
Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello tells Brownfield the department is celebrating 100 years in several ways throughout the fair, but he will personally celebrate the same way he has every year since he was a kid.
“My great-grandmother would always get Malone’s Taffy and she passed away over a decade ago. So, every year that I am at the DuQuoin State Fair I buy Malone’s Taffy and put a piece on her grave after the fair, because that is something we always did together.”
Costello says the fair is a great economic driver for southern Illinois and another exhibition opportunity for ag youth.
* Press Release…
The Du Quoin State Fair along with Governor JB Pritzker announced today that members of the Hayes family will serve as the Grand Marshals for the Du Quoin State Fair Twilight Parade. Carole Hayes Hill and Jane Hayes Rader will represent the family.
The Fair started back in the spring of 1923 when a group of successful and ambitious Du Quoin business leaders under the leadership of horse breeder William R. Hayes came up with an idea to sponsor an event that would attract people from all over Southern Illinois. Several of the business leaders also owned horses and needed a convenient place for them to compete. Not shy about making big claims even from the very start, the group called it “The Du Quoin State Fair” because they wanted it to become as nice, as attractive, and as well accepted in the area as the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. And that happened quickly — crowds were estimated at 50,000 to 60,000 in the first few years of the Fair during the 1920s.
“Southern Illinois has a long history of visionaries marketing the uniqueness of the region,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In celebrating 100 years of the Du Quoin State Fair, we are recognizing the foresight of William R. Hayes in the creation of these historic grounds. I’m proud to continue investing in this Southern Illinois treasure.”
“We are thrilled to highlight 100 years of the Du Quoin State Fair,” said Josh Gross, Du Quoin State Fair Manager. “Without the initial support and investment by the Hayes family, we would not be Celebrating a Century today.”
The Grandstand entertainment this year features several well-known names in country music headlining shows, as well as the “I Love The 90’s Tour” featuring Montell Jordan, Tone Loc, Young MC and Rob Base. Jeff Foxworthy is also scheduled to appear and there will be two nights of dirtcar racing.
Other special events include the queen contest, lip sync battle, beard contest, washer and cornhole tournaments, not-so-newlywed show, backseat driving contest, and much more.
A variety of other attractions include the twilight parade, high school marching band contest, various carnival rides, craft vendors and food vendors.
* The Question: Have you ever been to the Du Quoin State Fair? If so, tell us about it. If not, maybe tell us why.
posted by Isabel Miller
Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 2:55 pm
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I’ve been there and enjoy it. It’s a beautiful fairground and you don’t feel you are in Southern Illinois. Only need to pay for parking.
Would have loved to have been able to go in the 1960s when they had the horse races and people from all over the world would come to a small town in Southern Illinois.
Comment by Almost the Weekend Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:04 pm
Yep, many times over the years. That fair was good as dead when governor Thompson saw the potential of reviving it to offset lost coal jobs. Big Jim bought the fairgrounds and created the World Trotting Derby to replace the very famous Hambiltonian races that moved to New Jersey. This resuscitated the horse industry in Illinois, with follow-on economic effects for the breeders and associated business, creating jobs.
But most governors following him didn’t really “get it” about DuQuoin’s financial importance in a region struggling to transition to new industries.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:09 pm
The grounds are really lovely. Place comes to life at dusk. Great rv camping spot.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:11 pm
Once in the late 80s. My best friend’s dad was kind enough drive two giggly junior high girls from central Illinois down to the fair to see Tiffany and New Kids on the Block in concert.
Comment by Ms_KJP Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:12 pm
==Big Jim bought the fairgrounds and created the World Trotting Derby to replace the very famous Hambiltonian races that moved to New Jersey. This resuscitated the horse industry in Illinois, with follow-on economic effects for the breeders and associated business, creating jobs.
But most governors following him didn’t really “get it” about DuQuoin’s financial importance==
I would have thought the World Trotting Derby would have been right up Edgar’s alley. Did he love horse racing?
Comment by StateEmployeeThatIsNotInAFSCME Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:15 pm
Have enjoyed it for as long as I can remember.
Not sure which one I saw first, but can remember my parents taking me to see Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Red Skelton. Have enjoyed many more shows over the years, but those are the earliest I can recall.
Comment by SOIL M Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:21 pm
Edgar did appreciate horse racing, he still races horses - but the governors after Edgar all kind of blew it all off. Blago just used DuQuoin as a base to go out and fundraise from, while fobbing-off the travel and hotel costs on the state’s dime; he didn’t care a whit about the actual fair.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:25 pm
Been there once being an agency “volunteer” in the Governor’s tent. It struck me more as an upscale Sandwich Fair as opposed to a State Fair. My ears are still ringing from the races going on near the tent.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:27 pm
Never been, it is always after the start of the school year.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:28 pm
Used to go for the harness races but it’s been years. Very nice grounds. As the Illinois racing industry started going south, there wasn’t enough money to fund the World Trotting Derby any more.
Comment by Furtive Look Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:32 pm
From So ILL so I’ve been many times.
The best was when I was at SIUC - it was always just after classes started. A couple of us had some connections and we landed gigs selling merch at the grandstand gigs.
One year, WWE (WWF then?) came to town. I was tasked with selling Hacksaw Jim Duggan’s signature 2X4s (made of foam). We got a cut of every sale and they sold like hotcakes because he was about the hottest wrestler then. But that wasn’t even the best part. The best part was that all the merch was in the green room, so every time we had to reload, we got to go backstage and see behind the kayfabe
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:42 pm
Many Times
Had Great Harness Racing
But No More
Illinois Has Ruined Horse Racing on Every Level
Our Once thriving Thoroughbred Racing is gone too
Sad to see
Comment by Red Ketcher Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:52 pm
Many times. First as a student as SIUC, and later as a resident of southern Illinois.
I love the fair. It is smaller than the Springfield fair, but still has lots of cool stuff. Over the years, I saw the Fabulous Thunderbirds open for Stevie Ray Vaughn (excellent concert), worked at the SIUC dome, watched some harness racing, and entered some of my garden produce (won some ribbons).
I haven’t been in many years, but I consider it a hidden treasure and very much worth the state’s support.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:53 pm
I got to see the Carpenters in the early 70s and Randy Travis in the early 90s.Lots of good food and a good time was had by all.
Comment by Nieva Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:54 pm
August, 1968–road tripping with Chicago friends in the Carbondale area, we heard about the fair, went, and learned DuQuoin was hosting the Hambletonian, known as the Kentucky Derby of harness racing. We never knew Illinois had two state fairs, but we went, and watched a trotter named Nevele Pride, soon to be famous, win two straight mile heats driven by Stanley Dancer.
There were campgrounds where we slept and little cafes outside the fair grounds for great food and local color.
Comment by James Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:54 pm
No. Haven’t heard much about it lately. though as a kid I was obsessed with reading about the Hambletonian.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:56 pm
Went there many times for work mostly. But had plenty of time to enjoy. I like Du Quoin more than Springfield. The fairgrounds are smaller, but beautiful and more intimate. People are way more laid back and enjoying life. Not as many food selections, but the vendors that they do have are great. They used to have this Asian trailer that served pineapple-teriyaki chicken or pork skewers. They were amazing. And I never got tired of the 17th Street BBQ booth. I’d even drive to Murphysboro at least once as well. And as someone previously mentioned, Malone’s taffy is delicious. They also used to do a fish fry for the workers the night before the fair started. That was very nice. And then the Rednour party with John and Wanda was a not-to-miss event.
Plus they have oodles of grassy space for campers, RVs and tents. And the one huge beer tent with that massive stage blows away the multiple beer tents and smaller stages in Springfield.
Comment by Baloneymous Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 3:59 pm
Was introduced to the Hambletonian through Walter Farley’s Black Stallion novels. Never knew this background though on why it may have moved- https://www.press.uillinois.edu/wordpress/200-years-of-illinois-the-last-hambletonian/
Lovely fairground. Was there for a couple of times when the Farm Progress company also hosted a mini Progress Show at the same time.
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 4:01 pm
I have never been and reading these accounts I see I have been missing out on something I would enjoy. I love southern Illinois and 17th street bbq is worth the trip no matter how far you you have to go. Sounds like a great rv extended weekend trip, so next year I’m in…
Comment by Captain Obvious Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 4:20 pm
Captain Obvious, if you are seriously taking your RV there next year, I would call soon to ask about electric and water hook-ups spots. They don’t have many of those spaces and you probably have to book well in advance. A lot of the same people book every year and take them all up.
Otherwise, if you’re out in the grassy area I noticed a lot of campers or RVs had generators running. And I don’t know if there is water out there either. They did have a building for hot showers that I think are still free to use. I stayed in a trailer once over 12 years ago with a tiny shower, so I walked up to the building and took a real shower.
Comment by Baloneymous Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 4:31 pm
I attended every year I was at SIUC in the late 70s/early 80s because playing in the Fair Parade was one of the first events the Marching Salukis did after school started. Big Jim was always there (with Skilbeck in tow) and one year he autographed my sousaphone music for “Go You Salukis,” which is a memento I still have. I bet on the races (never won) and drank a few illicit underage beers. It was a great time.
Comment by Blue Room Curtains Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 4:39 pm
There are townies in DuQuoin with RV’s who literally drive a quarter mile to set up and live on the fairgrounds for the week, in reserved spots their families have annually returned to, like Capistrano swallows, for generations. DQ has a very different vibe than Springfield, with art deco architecture and a very pretty grandstand… also, way more trees; something Springfield has lost and never replaced. If you have been to Conservation World in the Springfield State fair, DuQuoin is like that all over. Springfield can learn from that. The grounds at DQ have been on another slide into disrepair since the Ryan administration; I think that iconic timing shack tower at the track is mostly held together with paint and good wishes now. Better go see it before it falls down.
Comment by Give us Barabbas Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 4:40 pm
I gotta wear my John Deer hat once a year and this is when I get to Rock it. I love the So Ill fair. Great history and a rich tradition. You can take me out of Southern Illinois but you can’t take the Southern Illinois out of me! Go Dawgs
Comment by Nanis Monday, Aug 29, 22 @ 10:26 am