So here we are, it's getting warmer, and as soon as that happens, the first thing any good Illinoisan thinks of is the State Fair. Cuz you know, it's kind of the biggest thing about summer.
We did finally, after living in Southern Illinois for eight years, attend the DuQuoin State Fair. You know, we're from the Springfield area, and after so many summers at the Springfield State Fair....it kind of felt like betrayal. But the butter cow was present, so I guess in a way, a state fair is a state fair.
While reading up on the fairgrounds I discovered that they were originally the Old Black Gold strip mine. This was filled in, leveled, and landscaped by William R. Hayes in 1939. There were no electric lights. The wooden grandstand held just 3,000 people. The oval race track was but a half mile around. But it was the first of many fairs to follow. And the first of many firsts for the fair. In 1924 it had it's first horse show, and we now have horse and livestock shows year ground in a massive, beautifully crafted show barn and holding stalls, which are now part of the magnificent livestock exhibitions held yearly at the fair.
The grandstand and flanking bleachers now seat 18,000. The fair's nightly stage shows now feature class acts from Las Vegas, Broadway, Nashville, and other parts of the country. Bob Hope, Sammy Davis, Jr., Alabama, Willie Nelson, Jim Nabors, the Bee Gees and countless other top entertainers have shared the stage over the past 69 years. My husband and I saw Firehouse, Trixter and Warrant in 2012.
Labor Day weekend traditionally draws a packed grandstand for auto racing. Auto racing events have included such greats as A. J. Foyt, Tony Bettenhausen, and Mario Andretti. And harness racing, still the mainstay of the fair, continues to draw people from across the country to see the World Trotting Derby, just as they came for 24 years to see the Hambletonian before it.
The Southern Illinois Center is located on the fairgrounds, and we've been there on many occasions. They host everything from Demo derbies, the Shriner's Circus, motorcycle and go-kart racing, tractor pulls, and Monster Truck Nationals (which we've gone to the last two years.)
Then of course, there's the fair...the rides, the food, the fun. They have a good section of rides for all ages, and even I rode a few last year, bringing back memories of fairs past.
The expo building is full of sellers peddling wares, but they are good ones. Scentsy, unique handbags, and even a wine tasting (which of course we imbibed!) There's little fun things all over the fair, booths for all manner of organizations, a magic show, petting zoo, and fun little billboards set up for photo ops.
And the games! Right off the rides is a huge row of games, for big kids, little kids, kids at heart....
And if nothing else, come for the food. Traditional fried fair food, local favorites...there isn't anything you could crave that you won't find here. No matter what you come to the fair for, I promise you won't be disappointed.
You can find dates and lineups for the fair here:
http://www.agr.state.il.us/dq/
How to get there:
Take I-57 to the Benton exit, and turn West towards DuQuoin. You can't miss the fairgrounds!
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