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* Daily Herald reporter Mike Riopell is at the Illinois State Fair’s media preview event today. From Mike’s Twitter feed…
Fair official: The second weekend of the State Fair will be “Redneck Weekend,” including “monster truck backflips.”
Monster truck backflips.
Oh, joy.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:07 am
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Comment by phocion Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:08 am
If you like performing backflips in monster trucks, you’re probably a redneck.
With all due respect to Jeff Foxworthy.
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:16 am
And the most popular slogan at that event …
“Keep the Guvmint out of my Medicare!”
Comment by Coach Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:19 am
I had to perform a search using Google on the term “monster truck backflips.” Now I know what a monster truck is, and that you can do that with them.
Comment by Cheryl Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:23 am
And all this time I thought every weekend at the state fair was a redneck weekend.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:24 am
That a real truck or a big bellied citizen tripping on a loose shoe lace while noshing something on a stick, carrying a elephant ear, and balancing a fried Mountain Dew?
Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:24 am
No word on if the $2 discount for ‘outstanding mullet’ on entrance fee is just rumor or fact.
Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:29 am
Oh Great! Another diving contest! Maybe the Illinois State Fair will be mentioned on the Olympic Diving coverage as the next venue….Who’s truck, by the way?
Comment by Mouthy Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:36 am
Will this be on Saturday or on SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY?
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:44 am
@zatoichi –big bellied citizen tripping on a loose shoe lace while noshing something on a stick, carrying a elephant ear, and balancing a fried Mountain Dew–
I’d appreciate if you’d keep personal attacks at me out of the comments. Thanks
Comment by TCB Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:45 am
Will weekend number one at the State Fair be “Suburban Elitists Scoffing at Downstate Folk Weekend?”
Comment by Red Ranger Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:46 am
Sounds like fun to me.
As long as the legislature doe not want to save the monster truck from it’s inevitable fate….
Comment by Plutocrat03 Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:47 am
You might be a Redneck if; Your wife has ever said, “Come move this transmission so I can take a bath.
“You think the French Riviera is foreign car.
You see no need to stop at a rest stop ’cause you have an empty milk jug.
You have a Hefty bag on the passenger side window of your car
You can change the oil in your truck without ducking your head.
You think that John Deere Green, Ford Blue, and Primer Gray are the three of the primary colors.
..and one of my favorites..
Your dad walks you to school because you are both in the same grade.
Comment by WazUp Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:48 am
Finally…a reason to not shut down the state fair.
Comment by John A Logan Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:54 am
To be followed by the elected officials Monstrous Flip Flop contest.
Comment by SO IL M Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 11:58 am
Thank God the fair finally has something for us . P.S. Rich I think you shot AR-15 with 30 rd mag .
Comment by Downstate Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 12:04 pm
This old farm boy is not cool with “redneck.”
It’s a pejorative that describes the sunburn you get from working outside all day producing the food that feeds the world. Supposedly, it means you’re some no-account ignoramus who doesn’t have the sense or brains to sit at a desk all day.
If you want to celebrate rural Illinois history and culture, here are a few suggestions:
–Edgar Lee Masters Weekend (the folks from Spoon River live forever).
–Mother Jones Weekend (that sweet old Irish lassie from Macoupin County had some strong opinions).
–Grand Army of the Republic Weekend (a lot of Illinois farmboys put down the plow for a while to take care of some serious business in the 1860s).
Many more.
But you can stick that redneck stuff.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 12:25 pm
How about a fund raiser where Monster Trucks jump over members of the General Assembly placed end to end?
Comment by Enemy of the State Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 12:32 pm
Gee - and people wonder why I put down the State Fair organizers for not scheduling contemporary rock or R & B acts.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 12:44 pm
I would suggest Urban and Suburban Elitists and activities for the entire family include.
Quest for Organic Soy products at any of the food booths…
Find the free range deep fried anything…
Using your iphone to find the nearest Whole Foods
Volvo parking demonstration..
Things others find entertaining display
Yes, this is really the location of the State Capitol Fun Fair…
Do you best not to smile going down the giant slide.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 12:47 pm
Word - thanks for the Macoupin County shout-out. The Mother Jones Memorial is pretty cool.
Enough home area shilling. Back to work.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 1:02 pm
You are missing out if you have not youtubed monster truck backflip
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 1:15 pm
TCB, that was originally ‘big butted citizen’, but I held back since this is a very delicate, sensitive blog.
Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 1:20 pm
The comment seems to sum up the Quinn administration’s view of those of us from south of I-80. I agree with Wordslinger.
Comment by Just the Facts Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 1:23 pm
Some of my best friends are rednecks.
Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 1:32 pm
Don’t hate, Rich. I’ve been thinking about how a monster truck backflip would work all day.
Comment by Mike Riopell Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 1:40 pm
OneMan, don’t forget the “Lyin’, Scratchin, Snarlin’ and Clawin’ Your Way Up The Ivory Tower Beauty Contest”.
That’s always been one of my favorites. And I hear that the entertainment does not stop after the show, so there’s plenty of material for follow-up interviews at next year’s event. AND the contestants are always happy to do their own publicity meaing that the State SHOULDN’T have to pay for that–even though it will be expected to do so.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 1:55 pm
I’m with word slinger. Both my parents were farmers. No one works harder. Enough said.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 1:58 pm
I guess Redneck is one of the last slurs that even government is comfortable with.
I look forward to future state fair weekends that celebrate our amazing diversity:
–”Drunken Mick Weekend.”
–”Thieving Wop Weekend.”
–”Christ-Killer Jew Weekend….”
The list goes on and on. Have fun!
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:00 pm
Anonymous, sitting at my desk with a view of the Chicago River and the lake if I lean right, I am in no place to judge too hard.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:00 pm
Good for you, OneMan. I thought that once, too, as I looked out my office window…until I found out someone had, without permission or any desire on my part, “enrolled” me in an Ivory Tower contest. I think it started out with someone filling in one of those “want to win a free vacation?” cards found at tradeshows with my name on it…and the harassment just went on from there.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:09 pm
And sometimes we wonder why 1/2 of the US makes fun of us.
Comment by Stones Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:10 pm
It’s more of a glass tower anyway…
But even with all my education, I would love to see a monster truck do a backflip live.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:23 pm
Does anyone know why the folks in charge of such
things insist on having the State Fair at what is,
typically, the hottest time of the year?
Comment by Esteban Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:36 pm
Esteban, the State Fair is traditionally held after the end of most county fairs. That way, 4H kids who win their local competitions can take their projects/animals/etc. to state.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:39 pm
Considering how sensitive the government is to harrassment, discrimination, etc, I wonder why the use of the term “redneck” for a government-sponsored event is now considered acceptable. I’d like to know which genius in State government came up with that.
Comment by champaigndweller Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:42 pm
@champaigndweller -
Mike Riopell is here. Perhaps he’ll name names.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 2:47 pm
Esteban, in addition to Rich’s point, sweating into your fair food adds a unique flavor that can only be found in the dog days of August.
May everyones’ turkey legs and fried onion straws be extra salty this year.
Comment by well... Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 3:06 pm
“Will weekend number one at the State Fair be “Suburban Elitists Scoffing at Downstate Folk Weekend?””
There is no reason to encourage suburban elitist to travel south of I-80. They do enough sneering from where are are located.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 4:04 pm
The fella mentioning “Redneck Weekend” was obviously cleaning his mouth and it went off!
Well….at least it wasn’t called Dumb Bubba weekend. Most of the true rednecks I know are hardworking, smart,fiercely independent, and usually have a pretty partner with them.
They know more about surviving than anyone, and can throw one heck of a good gathering. Like others, I’d be proud to be called a redneck.
Rather than watching someone nearly ruin a truck, I’d prefer spending time trying one of each of the fine fair delights, touring the barns, and looking at all the great exhibits. Might even enjoy a very cold beer or two and catch some of the musical entertainment.
Comment by Sunshine Thursday, Aug 2, 12 @ 4:45 pm
I don’t often have an urge to attend the fair, but when I do I make a quik trip to Walmart
Comment by Springfield Dan Friday, Aug 3, 12 @ 8:26 am