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* Did you go to the State Fair this year? How was your experience? Explain.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 2:35 am
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Nope, don’t feel like I missed a thing either. Any time I get a Fair urge I just stop in Walmart for a minute and I remeber why I try not to go north of Clearlake Ave for the 10 days of the Fair.
Comment by Dan S. a Voter and Cubs Fan Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 7:23 am
It was definitely a “down market” fair, but we still had fun. Weird Al kicked butt at his concert, my family loved it. The blog at the J-R was a help in finding new things to do.
Comment by Gregor Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 8:03 am
Yes, we had a lot of fun. My Daughter, 7, made it to the top of the rock walls and rang bell. Proud moment all around. Lots of horrendously unhealthy food, tons of kids acitvities and over all cool weather for August. My girls want to come back and do dock dogs next year. We had a great time.
Comment by Ghost Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 8:23 am
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Comment by BandCamp Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 8:26 am
Went this past Saturday. Watched the dog and alligator shows, ate some horribly delicious food, and took in some of the horse show. Daughter also climbed the rock wall and rang the bell. It was a beautiful day, and we enjoyed ourselves very much.
Comment by Fan of the Game Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 8:33 am
Yes. The weather was great, the crowds heavy but managable.
Food was good (for fair food), and the time with the family was wonderful. Kids enjoyed the rides, and the total lack of healthy snacks!
Comment by How Ironic Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 8:38 am
The weather was other worldly (considering this is August in Springfield.) We looked that the animals, ate at the Ethnic Village and watched a little horse judging and of course ate some ice cream. We wanted to see Weird Al, but the stars just didn’t align quite right. All in all, it was a good time.
Comment by What planet is he from again? Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 8:41 am
I thought about going on Republican Day but then thought twice about it and decided not to go. I didn’t want to depress myself by going to the Republican tent and finding myself and my wife being the only ones there. I later read that maybe 150 people showed up but that still would have proved to have been a depressing number for me. I prefer to delude myself by thinking that the Illinois GOP has not yet gone the way of the Whig Party. Perhaps, if they advertised that they were going to hold a symbolic burning at the stake or mock lynching of George Ryan, then we might have attended. Just joking (or am I?).
Comment by Honest Harry Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 8:53 am
I enjoyed the Fair. I was really disappointed that the Democrat tent had nothing with “Obama” on it to send to the grandkids. With all the money raised by the Obama campaign, one would think that buttons or combs or bumper stickers could have been given away.
Comment by Indigo Montoya Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 9:13 am
pork chop on a stick!!! Delicious!
Comment by Sinister Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 9:22 am
I went to the Wisconsin State Fair. You’re actually encouraged to drink beer, and eat bratwurst and cream puffs at 10 a.m. You could also smoke in the beer stands.
Seriously, what’s interesting is that their state fair is in their largest city. Nice way to bring city/country together.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 9:37 am
I go for the politics, not the fair. I enjoyed myself going to the Sangamon County fundraiser, Dick Durbin’s fundraiser where I got to meet Governor Bill Richardson, and Alexi G’s party (dinner). Wednesday morning I enjoyed the County Chairman’s Breakfast and the high spirits at the Democratic Convention. I skippped most of the Director’s Lawn speeches at the Fair , since I alraedy heard most of the sSpeakers twice. I ate lunch at my favorite Springfield spot, Smokey Bones and pigged-out on butter pecan ice-cream at the State Fair.
Comment by Captain America Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 9:43 am
I went twice, with my daughter. We live in Springfield and we were able to ride the SMTD bus from downtown, which eliminated parking issues. We enjoyed Conservation World — especially the fish and wildlife displays and the bow-and-arrow demonstrations for kids. (Are you listening Rod?) She loves animals, especially horses, so we visited the horse barns. Of course the weather could not have been better. The SJ-R blog was a HUGE help in finding stuff that was both cheap and fun to do.
Comment by Bookworm Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 9:44 am
===The SJ-R blog was a HUGE help in finding stuff that was both cheap and fun to do.===
I agree. They did a heckuva job.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 9:47 am
I was disappointed. It didn’t seem to have as many vendors as in the past. The weather was perfect, however.
The Fair shouts out a need for a new beginning. The bureaucrats running it don’t seem to care about it other than just caretaking it. It is painfully dull and repetative. Time for new people to run it.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 9:50 am
I went on the first Saturday from about 4PM until ???. Although the reports indicate greater attendance than last year, the crowd wasn’t that large - you could easily walk down main street without a problem. I agree with VM that some fresh ideas are in order, and I saw at least one example of a good idea. In previous years, the wine tasting tent was a separate space and found in various locations from year to year. This year they put the wine tasting in with the twilight ballroom space. What a great idea! You could enjoy the dancing and band while sipping your favorite local wine. We need a little touch of this type of thinking throughout the fair.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 9:59 am
Great fair…excellent weather and I have to agree with the commenters above IDNR did a great job with conservation world, especially considering how depressing it must be to work there lately. I always think Dem day is one of those times you get to hear the broken record of the same speechj recycled three times….personally id rather be sitting at the BUD tent while the directors lawn dog and pony happens.
Also an excellent job was done by the Horsemen…they put on a really good race in a nice family enviroment at the grandstand…wish more people went to take it in.
Comment by prairiestatedem Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 10:01 am
===wish more people went to take it in.===
My driver during the “celebrity” race was saying the same thing about race attendance. Not good.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 10:05 am
I, too, will plug Conservation World. It is always one of the highlights of the fair.
Comment by Fan of the Game Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 10:05 am
I should also add that the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association appreciated the new digs in the Twilight Ballroom, also.
Comment by Fan of the Game Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 10:13 am
I went a couple of times with different groups of friends. Had great time in the beer tents, ethnic village, the horse shows and races. Even got to see the winning chickens and pigs. I am from the evil north and had only been to the WI State fair before coming to Southern Il our fair is just as good and our butter cow was better then I remember WI’s.
Some of the areas were showing some excessive wear and tear and I think they were so worried about having electricity that they let some things go this year hopefully they will catch up next year.
Comment by Anon Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 10:20 am
Did not attend. Living in Carbondale its doubtful I will attend the DuQuoin event either.
Cant wait to see the numbers on how much money was lost on these two events. However since the state is in great financial shape, I guess its no big deal.
Comment by Speaking At Will Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 10:23 am
Fair was fine, but deja vu from other years. Did the cuisine at Ethnic Village and sampled fried stuff on sticks. Beer tents always fine as long as the bands are good and most are. Usual stuff you expect after that (butter cow, and various exhibits). Do the booth vendors and the ones outside actually make money at this. The spa guys must of peaked several years ago and now there are only a couple. It does feel odd watching a horse contest that you know absolutely nothing about and hear the people behind you be very excited about some movement you did not know happened, but that’s the fair. Love people watching while chowing on elephants ears. Some pretty large butts wandering by, always with something fried in hand. Pretty hard to make it a totally new experience, but overall pretty good deal. Weather really helped.
Comment by zatoichi Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 10:50 am
I took my two year old Saturday morning, and loved watching her eat her first corn dog! She thought it was wonderful! I really enjoyed the fair this year, and I think a lot of that was due to the wonderful weather.
Comment by My Opinion Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 11:23 am
Didn’t make it this year, but due to personal circumstances (moving) rather than lack of interest or gas prices. Glad to hear it went well, especially after the electric upgrade. Read the same ol’ complaints (grandstand shows, harness racing attendance) so at least there were no disasters. With the fair such a tradition, I don’t think anyone could make any radical changes in a short period of time. There would be a revolt! (imagery of pitchforks and torches)
Comment by Vote Quimby! Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 11:45 am
Nah, I never go. It’s too much hassle to drive that distance to get food I can get anytime I want it, acts I can watch up here if I want to and livestock my eye can’t determine to be any different than the cows & horses I regularly see when visiting family in Central IL and southeast Iowa.
Comment by cermak_rd Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 12:27 pm
We enjoyed the fair on opening day and last Friday night. Had fun both times. There appeared to be fewer vendors but the good ones had huge lines. The delight for us was seeing our youth and future of our country participating in the many events. Some older more mature people were involved and continue to excel in many crafts. All in all it was fun. And yes, it could be better with enthusiastic management and some cash. But what couldn’t!!
Comment by Justice Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 12:29 pm
I don’t think the fair should have to make a profit. It’s a unifying event in a state that sorely needs it. Wouldn’t kill Springfield or IBOT to spend some cash on Chicago media promoting the fair and Lincoln museum, sites and capitol.
I’m going next year.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 12:36 pm
=== The SJ-R blog was a HUGE help in finding stuff that was both cheap and fun to do. ===
yah like the .50 cent milk and Ice cream sandwiches!
Comment by Ghost Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 12:40 pm
Beer-tent-o-riffic!
And the weather was 1000 times better than last year.
I love the fair and wish more people would go too - tried to convince some non-politically involved Chicagoans to come down with me, but they weren’t having it. It’s a shame…
Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 1:12 pm
I went once. Overpriced fair food is no more or less of a ripoff than going to a ball game or concert. I do enjoy the fair atmosphere - especially when I’m not sweating bullets - and walking and driving around the grounds is always relaxing.
As always, my biggest beef was with the entertainment. Fergie lost $150,000! That is obscene and I’m going to guess that no one will be held accountable for bringing in such an overpriced and underperforming act. The ironic thing is that Linkin Park and Stone Temple Pilots - both popular and always-sellout acts - were both in the Midwest during the fair. In fact, STP was in Bloomington last Wednesday! At some point, the fair management needs to parcel out the acts for everyone. Have one act for each demographic with the idea that you can please everyone.
Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 1:38 pm
Would it be so hard for a Beer tent to have some Illinois beers like Goose Island or Two Brothers among others? A-B, Miller and Corona are hardly Illinois products.
Comment by Gish Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 2:25 pm
Have one act for each demographic with the idea that you can please everyone.
Elwood: What kind of music do you usually have here?
Claire: Oh, we got both kinds. We got country *and* western.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 3:15 pm
Hats off to DNR employees for making Conservation World an interesting place to visit, despite the Governor’s effort to dismantle this agency. I also liked seeing the Wine tent moved into the Twilight Ballroom. It made the ballroom a more lively experience. Nice touch.
Comment by Hats off Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 6:13 pm
I used to always make it a point to go to the fair, especially for the harness racing which used to be world class and now unfortunately like the rest of state run things, is very pedestrian and 3rd rate at best.
The train schedule from Chicago, while better than in the past, is not really state fair friendly.
Comment by Avy Meyers Monday, Aug 18, 08 @ 11:52 pm
Went twice. Bet all of the harness races on Wednesday and Thursday. The food was great and the beer was cold. Went to the Republican day ‘bash’ on the Director’s lawn. Kind of disappointed in the turnout there. All in all, it was a very good time.
Comment by Jechislo Tuesday, Aug 19, 08 @ 9:05 am