FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug. 20, 2000

CONTACT: John Herath

PHONE: 217/524-9825 FAX: 217/524-9832 TDD: 217/524-6858

2000 ILLINOIS STATE FAIR TOPS ONE MILLION VISITORS

SPRINGFIELD, ILL -- The Illinois State Fair closed its gates, as well as its record books with more than one million fairgoers in attendance for the first fair of the new century. Attendance totals have not yet been finalized, though 1,046,000 people had passed through the gates through Saturday. Sunny, pleasant weather, car races, and a free grandstand show attracted large crowds for Sunday, easily boosting estimated attendance above the million mark. Through Saturday, Aug. 19, Grandstand attendance at the 2000 Fair stood at a total of 54,296 concertgoers, down 3,623 compared to 1999. The Grandstand hosted a free show with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra on Sunday evening The show was followed by a fireworks display to close out the fair.

Next year's Illinois State Fair will run Aug. 10-19, 2001 in Springfield.

Kirstin Ihle of Oak Creek, Wisconsin shaved a full minute off of the record for the annual Abe's Amble, completing the 10K run in 33 minutes and 29 seconds. Jim Dickerson of Naperville was first to cross the ribbon for the men in 31 minutes, 15 second. The Illinois State Fair, Adidas, WYMG Radio and The Springfield Running Center sponsored the annual 10K and 2 mile running event. The race was open to all runners ranging from 14 years and under to 60 years and over. Participants ran from the fairgrounds for a distance of 6.2 miles or 2 miles. Winners and times are as follows: 10K Run Men First Place: Jim Dickerson Naperville, IL 31:15 Second Place: Eliasa Tanui Lee's Summit, Mo 32:05 Third Place: Jackson Johnson Lincoln, IL 33:33 Women First Place: Kirstin Ihle Oak Creek, WI 33:29 Second Place: Amy Kuipers Tinley Park 37:14 Third Place: Tracy Ciotta Houston, IL 37:55 2 Mile Run Men First Place: Craig Virgin Lebanon, IL 10:52 Second Place: Adam Houghton Havana, IL 10:52 Third Place: Justin Lock Henry, IL 11:40 Women First Place: Lindsay Wagner Mt. Vernon, IL 12:21 Second Place: Allison Yadron Chatham, IL 13:40 Third Place: Jenna Kruse Glenarm, IL 13:14

ARCA Allen Crown Memorial Auto Races

Car #46, driven by Frank Kimmel of Jeffersonville, IN, took first place today in the ARCA auto races at the Illinois State Fair. Frank Kimmel is sponsored by Advanced Auto Parts, and Pork White Meat. Second place went to Bill Baird, in car #52, sponsored by Jan Baird Motor sports. Joe Cooksey in car #51 sponsored by Maurtco Powder Coating received third place.

Chili Cook-Off

1st Place Jim Whalen Farmersville, IL 2nd Place Mary Markert Springfield, IL 3rd Place Don Rodier Springfield, IL 4th Place Ethel Butchek Springfield, IL 5th Place Bill Alderson Rochester, IL Best Booth Tim Cowan & Sons Marseilles, IL

For more information on the Illinois State Fair, visit the website at www.state.il.us/fair.

###