Fair Establishes Free Parking

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The fair's fiscally responsible decision to charge $7 for parking on opening night and each day of the fair will not affect family members' ability to pick up parade participants FREE of charge after the 6 p.m. twilight parade.

Special Events director Roger Brand said the fair is marking off a FREE pickup area between Gate 6 and the Southern Illinois Center south of the main grounds where parents can pick up marching band members, twirlers and all other parade participants.

You can access that area from the Rt. 14 entrance to the fair, then head north through the general parking area.

The $7 parking charge for general parking is for fairgoers who plan to enjoy an entire evening at the fair including the midway, twilight harness racing, dozens of food concessions an an appearance by "Uncle Kracker" in the Illinois Combined Veterans beer tent.

Handicapped Parking

There are designated handicap parking areas all over the grounds. Those entering the general parking area off Rt. 14 will pay $7 to park along the handicapped parking area strip adjacent to Bob Green Drive south of the main fairgrounds. If you want to park on the grounds you MUST enter through the main Rt. 51 front gate and there will be a $12 parking charge to park in handicapped parking on the main grounds.