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The State Journal-Register has a State Fair news page, in case you’re interested. Here are today’s stories:”Playing it safe“
The 2006 Illinois State Fair so far has been relatively crime- and accident-free, according to Illinois State Police. Very few arrests have been made and few disturbances reported.The 2006 Illinois State Fair so far has been relatively crime- and accident-free, according to Illinois State Police. Very few arrests have been made and few disturbances reported.
That said, there are a few bizarre instances at every fair.
At 11 a.m. Friday, a fairgoer walked into Barn 13 to see the horses and ended up getting more than she bargained for. Karen Thies of Peoria stopped to take a look at a horse, and the horse bit her nose. According to a police report, her face was 3 feet from a bar separating her from the horse.
“Our towns”
Whether it’s getting away for a night or finding the right place to locate a new business, the answer might be at this year’s Illinois State Fair.
New at the fair is Hometown Pride, an area designed to showcase what the rest of Illinois has to offer.A different city or area takes over the Hometown Pride tent in the Gate 2 area each day.
On opening day Friday, representatives of Decatur handed out boxes of chili made from soybeans processed by Archer Daniels Midland.
“We brought two pallets of the chili, and by noon, we had handed out a pallet and a half,†said Jan Hooten of the Decatur Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “The crowds have been great.â€
How has your Fair experience been so far? Mine’s been pretty good, except that for whatever reason the Fair can’t seem to inform us which horse shows are going to be held each day. It’s a complete guessing game and a bit frustrating.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 15, 06 @ 9:17 am
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I really do not like how the Hog-Calling and Husband-Calling competitions are being done now. They moved them out to a spot in front of the grandstand, so people no longer go to the swine barns to see this contest. The point of the event was to get more people over to those barns that would not ordinarily go, so they could learn alittle bit about pork production.
Second, the point of the calling is to see how loud the men and women can yell. Putting microphones on them all and running their yells through speakers kind of defeats the purpose and makes the whole thing moot.
Finally, the over-elaborate, tedious and unanimously lame sketches and costume strip-teases have to go. I would really like to see these competitions get back to basics. Line up the men and women, let ‘em yell their lungs out the ol’ fashioned way. That has a certain simple charm of it’s own.
And nothing personal, but after six years Chris Karr needs to retire and become a judge, let some new folks compete next year.
Comment by Clown Band roadie Tuesday, Aug 15, 06 @ 9:32 am
Rich,
Great coverage of the Fair! Nothing is quite as American as the State Fair and its Little Sisters the County Fairs! I love the 4-H exhibit halls and the critter showings. I hope that we never get too jaded to appreciate what agriculture means to this Republic.
Comment by Pat Hickey Tuesday, Aug 15, 06 @ 9:32 am
As always, the fair food has been great. Last night I had vinegar fries, an orange shakeup, 17th St BBQ, a walking taco, and an elephant ear (shared between the 2 of us). The food is my favorite part. I am planning trip number 2 for a vose’s corn dog, a turasky steak sandwich, and mini-donuts…..and likely the corona tent.
Also, I think the webpage for the fair has been very informative. I have been told Illinois has one of the nicest state fair grounds in the country.
Comment by Concerned Tuesday, Aug 15, 06 @ 9:45 am
You can’t beat the music.
Foreigner was great! The Crows will be good, too. It doesn’t matter what type of music it is– concerts are fun.
There was this funky burning aroma that filled the air Sunday night. I couldn’t quite place it.
Comment by B Hicks Tuesday, Aug 15, 06 @ 9:50 am
I love the fair, but having spent a little time in the Bud tent, I’m disappointed that all those new aluminum bottles seem to be going into a garbage can rather than a recycling bin. What a waste. That’s my other over all comment about the grounds in general…..no apparent recycling.
Comment by FORMER STATE EMPLOYEE Tuesday, Aug 15, 06 @ 11:18 am
Watching some of the state fair cams yesterday and today, the place looks pactically deserted. Is this the state fair always this sparsely attended?? (I was watching during the middle of the day).
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Aug 15, 06 @ 2:01 pm
I’ll probably get beat up criticizing the “sacred cow” (pardon the pun), but I don’t believe that the fair really has all that much to do with agriculture these days. I’d call it more of the fast-food/entertainment and livestock show/racing. Having attended the fair over a span of 50 years, I’ve watched the agricultural component shrink and change (probably reflecting the way agriculture has gone). The only farm equipment this year was the tractors pulling the trams, and a tent of some antique tractors. In years gone by, you could see all kinds of equipment (in the area where the rides are today). I’d like to see some qwuipment displays for the small/mini farms (truck farming, etc.) as I realize that there is little value in bringing large equipment to the fair when there is such a small customer base. It just seems that the fair is the same thing every year, but I still attend - looking for those little islands of “new stuff”.
Comment by Just Wanderin' Tuesday, Aug 15, 06 @ 6:25 pm
No other pols but the Governor made it to the Sale of Champs this year, not a one. Has that ever happened before?
Blago bid the second time around on one of the champion steers, I don’t know if that was campaign money he spent or tax dollars. He DID do another one of his famous “ignore the budget director and pull magic money out of his …. I mean, wallet” routine.
Same as he did for the baseball stadium, he “spontaneously” decided to drop a big wad of extra state cash on FFA and 4-H at the sale of champs.
Of course this impressed Orion and the crowd and got plenty of applause in what was otherwise kind of a downbeat house. But:
Where is all this “extra money” coming from????
Comment by Corndoggerell Tuesday, Aug 15, 06 @ 10:43 pm
I just want them to fix that big sign behind them at the sale of champs that has the extra apostrophe on “Champions”, same as last year. Bad grammar.
Maybe they can auction off the apostrophe next year? Or hire a 4-Her to spellcheck their work.
Comment by Delerium Trimbles Tuesday, Aug 15, 06 @ 10:46 pm
St. Andrew’s Pipes and Drums played the Ethnic Village stage on Friday night to a SRO audience. Thanks, Springfield.
Comment by Disgusted Wednesday, Aug 16, 06 @ 5:01 pm