FREE is Key Word at Du Quoin State Fair
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[It doesn't apply to everything, but "free" is the key word to this year's 90th Du Quoin State Fair scheduled to open Aug. 24 and running through Labor Day, Sept. 3.
Fair officials have adopted "Circus of Fun" as this year's slogan and that's where it's all starting, with the nationally-known "Circus Hollywood" which will be presenting at least two, sometimes four, performances daily. And, all are free.
A production of Serge Coronas, "Circus Hollywood" has four generations of success and has progressed from its initial aerial thrill show in 1952 at the famed Steel Pier in Atlantic City to an array of international daredevils, trained animals, clowns, aerialists and acrobats.
The show recently closed playing at the Delaware State Fair and will soon be playing at the Altamont (N.Y.) Fair before making the long trek to the Midwest before opening at Du Quoin.
The first to arrive on the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds last week was equipment for the two sessions of bull riding, a "ranch rodeo" and two conventional rodeos.
The bull rides are scheduled for opening weekend (Saturday, Aug. 25 and Sunday, Aug. 26) while the "ranch rodeo" is set for Friday (Aug. 31) and the two regular rodeos for the final weekend (Sunday, Sept. 2 and Monday, Sept. 3). All events are to be held in the half-mile track arena and are scheduled for 7 p.m. with the exception of the final rodeo. It's set for a 3 p.m. start.
And, all are free.
The deadline for entries in the Open and Junior Divisions of the Fair's beef and dairy cattle show is was Wednesday, Aug. 1.
The Fair's "open" show will be returning this season after a year's absence in 2011.
In addition, there will be a Junior show for sheep and swine.
Although Wednesday (Aug. 1) is the listed deadline for entries, officials will be accepting late entries until Aug. 15 although with a late fee.
Judging is one of the daily highlights of the Fair, particularly the final weekend when draft horses, heavy ponies and mules are shown in the open-air horse arena at the north edge of the grounds.
And, all are free.
Harness racing, believed by some to be a key reason for W. R. Hayes to create the Fair in 1923, will again be the first event held at the main grandstand's one-mile dirt track.
Although now limited to just three sessions, the first featuring Illinois Topline Stake and County Fair Challenge races is scheduled for Friday evening (Aug. 24).
The four Topline races will have estimated purses of $4,000 while the County Fair events will provide slightly larger purses.
Saturday (Aug. 25) and Sunday (Aug. 26) races both are scheduled for noon starts and offer larger purses. Pari-mutuel betting is offered.
All three sessions are free.
The sixth annual Du Quoin State Fair Car Show is scheduled for Sunday (Sept. 2) starting at 8 a.m. More than 100 trophies are presented each year to winners in the two classes, "old" and "new."