FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2001
CONTACT:217-524-2751
TDD: 217-524-6858
FAX: 217-785-4505
COMPETITIVE EVENTS, GRANDSTAND ENTERTAINMENT DRAW LARGE CROWD TO THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The wide array of activities at the Illinois State Fair was evident Saturday, with competitions throughout the fairgrounds for everything from costumed sheep to banjo playing. But, the hottest attraction was the day's Grandstand act, 98°.
Loyal fans, mostly teenage girls, started arriving at 6:30 a.m. and soon filled the sidewalk on the north end of the Grandstand, with groups playing cards and lounging in chairs while counting down the hours until the track in front of the stage opened.
Governor George Ryan made a surprise visit with Agriculture Director Joe Hampton to the Swine Barn, where he presented the award for Grand Champion Barrow and mingled with young farmers in the Junior Livestock Building.
The Illinois Building hosted the Senior Showcase, a talent contest for senior citizens that is intended to demonstrate that there is life after sixty. The women participating in the showcase were winners of senior pageants across the state, and their talents ranged from poetry to tap dancing.
The Grandparent/Grandchild Talent Contest sponsored by Union Planters Bank followed the Senior Showcase. Lt. Governor Corrine Wood presented awards to the winners, including Patricia Daniels and her grandson, Ty Daniels, both of Springfield. The Daniels captured first place by dressing in Cubs attire, including Harry Caray glasses, and singing and dancing to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
DAILY RESULTS FOR FRIDAY, AUG. 11
CITY OF SPRINGFIELD/LOCAL OFFICIALS DAY
SHEEP COSTUME SHOW
1st Place Nicholas Cotter Penfield, IL
2nd Place Tanner Steckel Winchester, IL
3rd Place Mitchell Mohr Carlock, IL
LADIES LEAD
Senior
1st Place Rachel Crider Arrowsmith, IL
2nd Place Andrea Douglas Woodstock, IL
Intermediate
1st Place Stephanie Swanson Woodstock, IL
2nd Place Megan Deter Quincy, IL
3rd Place Clayton Herring Winchester, IL
Junior
1st Place Christopher Crider Arrowsmith, IL
2nd Place Kylie Irvin Kenney, IL
GRANDPARENT/GRANDCHILD TALENT CONTEST
1st Place Patricia Daniels & Ty Daniels Springfield, IL
2nd Place Francis Welters &, Jayson Stevens Chester, IL
3rd Place Kathy Howard &Justin Howard, Sherman, IL
Wade Yeley & Abbigail Yeley
POLLED HEREFORD CATTLE SHOW
Bull
Grand Champion Jonathan Harfst Easton, IL
Reserve Grand Champion DJR Farms Easton, IL
(Holly & Nathan Birch)
Heifer
Grand Champion Drew Stollard Bethany, IL
Reserve Grand Champion Brittany Crane LaSalle, IL
HEREFORD CATTLE SHOW
Bull
Grand Champion Kimberly Benedict Mason City, IL
Reserve Grand Champion Heitshuson Cattle Co./ Toulone, IL
Ye Old McDonald/ Ye Old McDonald/
Michigan State Un Michigan State Un
Heifer
Grand Champion Adam Swigert Farmer City, IL
Reserve Grand Champion Kimberly Benedict Mason City, IL
OPEN WETHER SHOW
Grand Champion: Amber Berlin Bradford, IL
Reserve Grand Champion: Elissa Johnson LeLand, IL
BARROW SHOW
Grand Champion: Brian Down Kankankee, IL
Reserve Grand Champion: Tracie Yantis Findley, IL
PYGMY GOAT SHOW
Doe
Grand Champion: Bobbie Montgomery Monticello, IL
Reserve Grand Champion: Clawson’s Critters Marshal, IL
Buck
Grand Champion: Karen Hepner Lexington, IL
Reserve Grand Champion: Chris Koppelman Ceneca, IL
POULTRY SHOW
Grand Champion
Poultry Meat Pen
FIDDLE AND BANJO CONTEST
Fiddle
Age 16 and Under
1st Rob Hechat Sibley, IL
2nd Vina Pedigo-Young Dongona, IL
3rd Rachael Baiman Oak Park, IL
Age 17-59
1st Chris Talley Barnhart, IL
2nd Jennifer Wisehart West Frankfort, IL
3rd John Heizer Prarie duRocher, IL
Age 60+
1st Ed Cosner Portage, IN
2nd Mike Casey Cicero, IL
3rd (tie) Tim Stokes Buncombe, IL
Jerry Myers Weeki Wachee, FL
Banjo
Age 16-under
1st Joey Stokes Brighton, MO
2nd Justin Robbins Hillsborough, MO
3rd Jennifer Robbins Hillsborough, MO
Age 17-59
1st Chris Talley Barnhart, IL
2nd John King Alton, IL
3rd Janet Voegeli Jerseyville, IL
Age 60+
1st Matt Bolar Litchfield, IL
2nd Mike Casey Cicero, IL
TALENT SHOW (Female Vocal Solo)
1st Place Katie Smith Fairview, IL
2nd Place Crystal Desilvo Pawnee, IL
3rd Place Daphney Biddle Aledo, IL
TALENT SHOW (Instrumental/Keyboard)
1st Place Kara Huber Oakland, IL
2nd Place Elaine Wilson Fairfield, IL
3rd Place Megan Burnstein Chattam, IL
Events for Veterans' Day-Sunday, August 12
| 8 a.m. | Open Steer Show | Junior Livestock Building |
| 8 a.m. | Junior Breeding Swine | Junior Livestock Building |
| 8 a.m. | Simmental Cattle Show | Livestock Center |
| 8 a.m. | Jr. Breeding Sheep Show | Sheep Barn |
| 9 a.m. | Baton Twirling Contest | Special Events Tent |
| 10 a.m. | JROTC Units (Color Guards/Drill Teams) | Grandstand |
| 11 a.m. | Sheep Shearing Contest | Sheep Barn |
| 11 a.m. | Horseshoe Contest Finals | Lincoln Park (west of the Nelson Center) |
| 11:30 a.m. | Jr. Drill Teams | Grandstand |
| 1:30 p.m. | High School Bands | Grandstand |
| 2 p.m. | Limousin Cattle Show | Livestock Center |
| 2 p.m. | Hog Calling Contest | Swine Barn |
| 2:15 p.m. | Veterans' Parade | Grandstand |
| 2:30 p.m. | Husband Calling Contest | Swine Barn |
| 2:45 p.m. | Drum Corps | Grandstand |
| 6 p.m. | ISF Talent Contest | Illinois Building |
| 8 p.m. | Bob Dylan | Grandstand |
For more information on the Illinois State Fair, visit the website at www.state.il.us/fair. The fair runs now through Aug. 19 in Springfield.
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