2002 Press Releases 2006 Press Releases 2005 Press Releases 2004 Press Releases 2003 Press Releases 2001 Press Releases   MORE THAN 1 MILLION HELP MARK 150TH ANNIVERSARY ILLINOIS STATE FAIR Attendance for the Illinois State Fair topped the million mark for the third straight year as fairgoers celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the fair. RUNNERS, RACERS AND ROCKETS CAP OFF 150TH ANNIVERSARY FAIR ARCA RE/MAX Series point leader Frank Kimmel in car #46 won the Allen Crowe Memorial 100 Sunday at the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile dirt track in Springfield. Doug Keller in #7 came in second, followed by Bob Strait in #66. A free performance of the Chicago Pops Orchestra followed by a fireworks display at the grandstand closed out the 150th Anniversary Fair. USAC RACES INTO THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR J.J. Yeley took the checkered flag in his #9 car at the USAC Tony Bettenhausen 100 Series Saturday at the Illinois State Fair. Jerry Coons, Jr., in car #35, took second place for the second consecutive year, and Tracy Hines in car #37 finished in third place. The USAC had a total prize of $42,700. GOVERNOR RYAN MARKS 150TH ANNIVERSARY WITH TIME CAPSULE Governor George H. Ryan and First Lady Lura Lynn Ryan today placed mementos of the 150th Anniversary Illinois State Fair in a time capsule to be opened on the Fair's bicentennial. HARNESS RACING RECORDS SET ON DEMOCRAT DAY The Grandstand saw an extended day of record-setting harness racing action on Thursday, as thirty-one races were held to make up for Wednesday’s rained-out schedule. BEST OF FAIR AWARDS PRESENTED TO TOP EXHIBITORS AND CONCESSIONAIRES Awards were presented today to the best concessionaires and exhibitors at the 150th Anniversary Illinois State Fair during the Orion Samuelson – WGN Radio Noon Show. 2002 SALE OF CHAMPIONS BREAKS ALL RECORDS The Governor’s Sale of Champions raised more than $100,000 for Illinois 4-H and FFA members and broke all records Tuesday as, once again, the Grand Champion Steer sold twice. TIME CAPSULE EVENT POSTPONED The scheduled burial of a time capsule to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Illinois State Fair has been postponed until 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16. The event was originally scheduled for Wednesday. FOOD SAFETY, SENIOR CITIZENS AWARDS AND WRESTLING HIGHLIGHT DIVERSITY OF THE FAIR Illinois First Lady Lura Lynn Ryan gave fairgoers a refresher course in basic outdoor food preparation today during a "cookout" in Agri-Expo to recognize Food Safety Education Month. GOVERNOR, MRS. RYAN TO SET TIME CAPSULE TO COMMEMORATE 150TH ANNIVERSARY STATE FAIR Governor George H. Ryan and First Lady Lura Lynn Ryan will bury a time capsule on the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Wednesday to mark the 150th Anniversary of the State Fair. DEPUTY USDA SECRETARY JIM MOSELEY TO JOIN AG DAY RALLY AT STATE FAIR Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture Jim Moseley and Governor George H. Ryan will be the featured speakers at the annual Ag Day Rally at the Illinois State Fair on Tuesday, Aug. 13. PIGS, PATRIOTISM AND PARACHUTISTS CLOSE THE FIRST WEEKEND OF THE FAIR Patriotism was the theme of Veterans Day at the Illinois State Fair as thousands of veterans turned out to watch the JROTC Units and a Veterans Parade before enjoying a free performance by Lee Greenwood and the 113th Army Field Band in the Grandstand, kicked off by parachutists landing in the infield. Other Highlights include the husband and hog calling contests. FORMER HORSE SHOW MANAGER CARTER VANNATTAN HONORED AT STATE FAIR "Carter's devotion to the State Fair horse shows and the people who participated was evident every day he was here," said Illinois Agriculture Director Joe Hampton. "He has left quite a legacy with us, including his wife Jody and their family who continue to manage and be involved in the horse shows." ILLINOIS FIRST LADY LURA LYNN RYAN TO PARTICIPATE IN FOOD SAFETY MONTH DEMONSTRATION AT ILLINOIS STATE FAIR Illinois First Lady Lura Lynn Ryan will help demonstrate proper food handling and preparation procedures for outdoor barbecues Monday, Aug. 12, during an Illinois State Fair press conference to celebrate National Food Safety Month. 150th ILLINOIS STATE FAIR OPENS Governor George H. Ryan and First Lady Lura Lynn Ryan opened the 150th Anniversary of the Illinois State Fair with the traditional snip of the blue ribbon at the Main Gate of the Fairgrounds. ILLINOIS VETERANS KICK OFF 150TH ANNIVERSARY STATE FAIR More than 200 veterans walking, riding and even riding motorcycles came from across the state of Illinois as this year’s honorary grand marshals of the Twilight Parade. GOVERNOR AND MRS. RYAN TO OPEN 150TH ANNIVERSARY ILLINOIS STATE FAIR RIBBON-CUTTING SCHEDULED FRIDAY, AUG. 9, AT 9 A.M. Following the 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony at the fairgrounds’ Main Gate, the Ryans, accompanied by Agriculture Director Joe Hampton and State Fair Manager Bud Ford, then will open the Illinois Artisans Village inside the Main Gate south of Ethnic Village and tour both the Governor’s and First Lady’s tents on Main Street. FRANK STALLONE HIGHLIGHTS LINE-UP AT TWILIGHT BALLROOM Stallone is one of nine big bands playing this year in the Twilight Ballroom, located in the Special Events Tent in the Gate 2 Area. Bill Allred will perform Friday, Aug. 9 and Saturday, Aug. 10. On Sunday, Aug. 10, Sam Butera performs, followed by Don Smith on Aug. 12. Jimmy Damon returns to the Illinois State Fair on Thursday, Aug. 15. Johnny Kaye on Aug. 16 and Stardust on Aug. 17 round out the lineup. All performances will run from 8 to 10 p.m. PARADES AND PATRIOTISM MARK PREVIEW DAY Led by Illinois veterans, this year’s parade Grand Marshals, the 150th Anniversary Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade will march the length of the fairgrounds. CARNIVAL MIDWAY TOUR Dwight Walton, of Thebault-Blomsness, Inc who operate the Carnival Midway at the Fair, will be available from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8. INTERGALACTIC WRESTLING TO TAKE CENTERSTAGE AT WONDERFUL WORLD OF SPORTS Gate 2 will be transformed into every sportsman’s dream at the 150th Anniversary of the Illinois State Fair. From sports clinics to wrestling to hang gliding, the Wonderful World of Sports is providing entertainment for the entire family. The NBA Jam Tour will be back once again offering fairgoers a chance to compare their basketball skills and shoe sizes to those from the NBA. THURSDAY IS PRESS PREVIEW DAY The Illinois State Fair will host its annual press preview, a first glimpse of the fair for media, on Thursday, Aug. 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Expo Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. NEW “BUTTER COW LADY” DEBUTS AT 2002 FAIR Visitors to the Dairy Building during the 150th Anniversary of the Illinois State Fair will witness the beginning of a new tradition as Nancy Hise takes on the mantle of the Butter Cow Lady. (mp3 interview included) FREE ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP AT THE 150th ANNIVERSARY FAIR Building on its 150-year tradition of providing quality free entertainment, the 2002 Illinois State Fair will offer a free concert series this summer. AVAILABILITY WITH NEW “BUTTER COW LADY” Nancy Hise, the new artist hired to sculpt the famous Illinois State Fair Butter Cow, will be available for media interviews Monday, July 29 at 10 a.m. in the Dairy Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. ILLINOIS STATE FAIR HISTORICAL DISPLAY EXPANDS FOR 150TH ANNIVERSARY In commemoration of the 150th Anniversary Illinois State Fair, the Fair Historical Exhibit is adding a timeline and expanding its collection of fair memorabilia. FINALISTS CHOSEN TO COMPETE IN THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR’S FIRST BATTLE OF THE BANDS CONTEST Twelve bands from around the state will vie for the top prize of $3,000 in the Illinois State Fair’s first Battle of the Bands competition. ILLINOIS STATE FAIR PREVIEW IN CHICAGO Chicagoans will get a sneak peek of the 150th Illinois State Fair at a special preview July 18 and 19 at Daley Plaza in Chicago. COMPETITIVE EVENTS DEADLINES NEAR – The entry deadline is rapidly approaching for those who want to exhibit everything from livestock to baked goods during the 150th Anniversary Illinois State Fair. ILLINOIS STATE FAIR MEGA-PASS NOW AVAILABLE The Illinois State Fair mega-pass is now on sale. The pass entitles fairgoers to unlimited rides during the ten days of the 2002 Fair and Preview Night, Aug. 8. GOVERNOR RYAN ANNOUNCES 2002 ILLINOIS STATE FAIR GRANDSTAND LINEUP Governor George H. Ryan today announced the grandstand lineup for the 150th Anniversary Illinois State Fair, headlined by teen sensation Aaron Carter and country stars Toby Keith and Kenny Chesney. ILLINOIS STATE FAIR HORSE SHOWS OFFER A LOOK AT HORSES FROM STATE AND NATION Horses from around the nation will be coming to the Illinois State Fairgrounds Coliseum in July for extended days of the Western and Junior Horse shows. The Western Horse Show will be held July 10-14 and 17-20, and the Junior Horse Show will be held July 23-28. EFFINGHAM COUNTY FAIR QUEEN CROWNED 2002 MISS ILLINOIS COUNTY FAIR Miss Effingham County, Jennifer Maurer, was crowned Miss Illinois County Fair Queen at the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Convention in Springfield 150TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE BASKETS AVAILABLE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR COLLECTORS Patriotic-themed baskets are being offered by the Illinois State Fair for collectors and those wanting a timeless memento of the 150th Anniversary State Fair.