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* The Illinois State Fair kicks off tonight with the Twilight Parade. Unlike past years, I’m planning on attending at least a few Grandstand shows. Eric Church tomorrow, and Cheap Trick, Miranda Lambert and maybe Steve Miller next week. Heck, I might even go see Train if my arm is twisted hard, and it may be. It’s actually not a horrible lineup for a change.
* And then there’s the Abe on a Stick…
This year, the nation’s 16th President will be among the numerous items you can get on a stick at the Illinois State Fair.
Visitors to the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency’s area in the air conditioned Illinois Building at the 2012 Illinois State Fair may pick up free fans bearing the famous Alexander Gardner portrait of Abraham Lincoln. The reverse side of the fan will include a list of central Illinois historic attractions, and by showing the fan at any of these places, visitors will receive special discounts on admission or merchandise from the sites’ gift shops.
* The Question: Your State Fair plans?
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 1:27 pm
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Hoping the Bellamy Brothers make a repeat performance of their 1986 (? maybe 1985) performance.
Comment by JP Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 1:38 pm
I will be hoping the Genco Olive Oil booth will finally give everyone what we all want …
deep fried cannoli
If I make it down for Republican Day (or whatever or however they are describing it nowadays …) I plan on going to the Ag exibits and see some of the show cattle … and the beer tents.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 1:45 pm
not going (have to run to d.c. next week), but both steve miller (surprisingly, to me) and train are worth seeing. saw steve miller last year at wanee and it was a thoroughly enjoyable show!
Comment by bored now Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 1:50 pm
It’s just bad timing for a football family. High school son started two-a-days this week and taking my oldest back to school Saturday to start practice Monday. Ain’t going to happen, sadly.
Love beer tents and fried stuff on a stick.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 1:53 pm
Read about it on CapitolFax.
Comment by too obvious Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 1:56 pm
I will be attending the Governor’s Day/Democrat Day brunch at the Crowne Plaza on Wednesday (can’t wait to hear what the Speaker and the Gov will say to the crowd) followed by the Democratic convention (or what passes as such) and then off to the fairgrounds to enjoy the beer tents and some fried foods my doctor would disapprove of.
Comment by Hey There Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 1:58 pm
Two days at the fair! Saturday with the kids for 4-H and Wednesday for Democrats/Governor’s Day. Wanted to take the kids to see Train on Wednesday, but I have too much going on Thursday morning.
BTW, the lead guitarist for Train, Jimmy Stafford, is a native of Morris, and, while in high school, played in a very popular band called “Royal Star” they played many a bar and homecoming in the early 80’s. I like Jimmy, and he’s worth seeing live. (Rich, consider this a gentle arm twist!)
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 2:13 pm
I will be there a couple of days and I agree with you that the Grandstand lineup is pretty good this year, all things considered. I’ve been going since I was a child and it is always a nice time out there. Should be a terrific weather weekend so attendance numbers might be looking good this year!
Comment by Always fun Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 2:13 pm
I hope you have good weather for it.
Comment by Cheryl Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 2:15 pm
Videoing the Fair-goers for my indie film Rolling Down Fat America” (one fried butter burger at a time)
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 2:33 pm
“Shoot man ain’t nothing like biting Lincoln’s head off a stick…where’s dem monster trucks at?”
Comment by WazUp Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 2:51 pm
Rich , I thought you were the bass player in Creed . Didn’t you write “Arms wide open ” or ” Quinn’s own prison” opps I mean “my own prison”
:)
Comment by owesdrinks Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 3:05 pm
you mention Cheap Trick but they are playing with Blue Oyster Cult–next time a little more respect or as I like to say, I little more cow bell.
Comment by Tom Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 3:32 pm
As always my plans are to question how many of my tax dollars are being wasted on this downstate extravaganza.
Comment by wishbone Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 3:41 pm
Three(ish) words… Deep-Fried Brownies
Comment by UISer Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 3:44 pm
Hitting Cheap Trick to drift back in time when they were on the local bar circuit. They were regulars at Ted’s Warehouse in Charleston for years. It’s a 5:00pm show so the entire fried heaven that is the state fair is dinner.
Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 3:55 pm
I’m not ashamed to say I’m going to see Cheap Trick and I’m gonna love every minute of it.
Comment by Dan Bureaucrat Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 4:00 pm
Cheap trick at Ted’s Warehouse in Charleston? A blast from the past for me as a 1980s EIU grad. Wow!
Comment by Hey There Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 4:11 pm
Avoid it at all cost.
Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 4:16 pm
go you EIU folks(I was there 70’s) Ted’s, Chinks, Martys, Abes nose! but I hate to say it Wisc. is still better!
Comment by railrat Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 4:18 pm
Hit as many shows as possible, eat one of everything and more of some, lots of lemon shakeups and of course cold, cold beer.
Taking in the barns and the competition, and perusing the judging of fruits and vegetables. That is pretty cool.
And yes…the butter cow and of course Ice Cream. Yep, my doctor told me if it tasted good to spit it out. Well, I am ignoring her for ten days.
Expando pants and belt, where are you?
Conserve Water, Shower with a friend!
Comment by Sunshine Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 4:33 pm
Pork Sundae. Worth the admission price even if that’s the only thing you do.
Comment by Ronald RayGun Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 4:37 pm
The same as it usually is. Stay in Chicago and/or read about it on the Capitol Fax blog. It’s something I’m going to put on the list for things to do though.
Comment by Levois Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 4:47 pm
To collect as many yard sticks as possible.
Comment by Sgt Schultz Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 4:47 pm
Train is the only band playing that is still culturally relevant … The others aren’t even close!
Comment by Nice Kid Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 5:50 pm
I am going to bet the house on Rich Miller’s horse in the PR celebrity race on Gov day.
Comment by Been There Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 6:14 pm
–Train is the only band playing that is still culturally relevant ..–
Dude, you’re a snob about a state fair band?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 7:00 pm
My Daughter talked us into Demi Lovato on Saturday so we are making the long drive up from southern Illinois for my first trip to the fair.
Comment by Makandadawg Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 8:49 pm
Went out and walked around the fair today with the wife, son and grandkids. Attended a friend’s traditional parade party (she lives just a bit south of the main gate on the parade route). Then another walk through and home now.
Will spend one more full day there with the wife since she’s the big fair junkie in the family.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 11:00 pm
My wife is from Springfield,if we did not make it out to see the parade the world would shift on it’s axis. We also have to make at least one weekend day. Also wanted to throw this in. The Animal protective league (APL) has $4.00 parking on the back side of the fairgrounds. Easy way to help a good group.
Comment by Bemused Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 11:08 pm
I’ll be listening to Loose Gravel’s cover of “Call Me, Maybe.”
Don’t mock Cheap Trick: they still sound just as good after what, 30 years? 40? As Yoda says, “sound as good you should do at that age”.
Also, the porkchop on a stick is about as perfect a fair food as you can choose.
Comment by Newsclown Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 11:39 pm
You lotta love the free music in the beer tents and the horse shows to say the least!
Comment by Mama Thursday, Aug 9, 12 @ 11:58 pm
My plans??! Waiting to hear about everyone else’s great experiences!! “)
Comment by SouthernIL Friday, Aug 10, 12 @ 8:25 am