Alongi's Signs Beer Tent Contract; Area Groups to Benefit

The Alongi's Since 1933 restaurant in Du Quoin has signed a one-year agreement with the Illinois Department of Agriculture host the popular beer tent at the Du Quoin State Fair.

Alongi's won the contract and will replace the Illinois Combined Veterans sponsorship on the grounds.

The beer tent on the grounds and the grandstand concessions will have a mix of employees.

Approximately half of the staff will be members of the family, current restaurant staff members of Alongi restaurant employee "alumni."

The other half will be volunteers from local community organizations which will benefit by their voluntarism given to the operation.

Guy Alongi said organizations which will volunteer their time and receive donations include: The Du Quoin Youth Club, the Du Quoin Lions Club, the Du Quoin Swim Team, the St. Bruno Catholic Church PTO of Pinckneyville, the Perry County Soccer League, the Du Quoin Jaycees and the Volunteer Foundation, Inc. of Du Quoin.

The Alongi family brought beer to the Du Quoin State Fair under Hayes family ownership years ago to make it part of the fair experience for 17 years.

When the State of Illinois purchased the fair in 1986, the state awarded a contract to the Combined Veterans of Illinois, which has held the contract ever since.

This year the Illinois Department of Agriculture announced it--not the fair-- was putting the contract out for bids.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is expected to do the same thing with the beer tent concessions at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield after this year's contract with the veterans ends.