Du Quoin fair crowds larger, but didn't spend a lot of money

"A lot of people came to the fair, but probably didn't spend a lot of money," said longtime Du Quoin State Fair assistant manager Norm Hill, who is now shouldering the responsibility of managing the fair's buildings and grounds.

But, the fair's operation and outcome is something he knows well and Hill was a good stand-in for fair manager John Rednour, who has been in St. Louis while his father underwent a cardiac procedure to strengthen his heart.

"The fair was pretty successful," Hill said as approximately 25 Du Quoin chamber members and guests gathered in the fair's labor pavilion for last night's monthly chamber meeting. The gorgeous fairgrounds --even an early evening rainbow--was the backdrop for the overview of the 2013 Du Quoin State Fair.

"We had a pretty successful fair. We had good attendance. Vendors were up and down," said Hill.

"Fairgoers were more selective (with their money)," said Hill.

And, they could be. Part of the success of the 2013 fair was all of the free entertainment both in the grandstand and on the grounds.

The Ag Expo static displays got a lot of attention as the farm economy improved following last year's unforgiving drought. The livestock show was great. "We didn't have an empty stall," said Hill.

"The horse show arena is doing very well."

He said even though school districts are watching their transportation money the annual Farmyard Follies FFA competition is such a high quality event that schools are keeping it on their extracurricular calendar. This year's school participation was very strong.

"I would give the fair a good rating," he said. The grounds were in excellent condition and fairgoers simply liked to stroll through the grounds and ride the trams.

He said capital improvements included new roofs for one of the restrooms, the solar house and the SIU domed pavilion.

Hill said fairs all across the country are "in transition," trying to find some new direction. "Every year we get to have a redo," he said of finding new ways to attract crowds. "It is still the Du Quoin State Fair and we will be fine," he said.

"We have to find out who we are," he said.

He said he would like to get back to five days of harness racing, but in the absence of the Grand Circuit "the number of horses isn't there."

The Grand Circuit and the international racing community got soured four years ago by the fact it took over a year for the state to pay World Trotting Derby winners in back-to-back years.

The fair is estimating this year's attendance at 365,000 fairgoers.

He said a final accounting of income and expenses normally takes several more weeks to complete.

Chuck Novak gave a report on the chamber's concession revenue at the fair. Despite gross sales of $31,464, net income was only $6,685. "We make that on our two home and garden show," he said. He said the chamber incurred a $2,000 expense in hiring a manager for the 10-day event. He said Pam Periera did a great job and it was the right decision. He said payroll had a $1,000 overrun "which we can control next year," but moreover the chamber had to pay the Illinois Department of Agriculture $1,984 for electricity and 20 percent of the net income. "They wanted 20 percent of the gross," he said of people in Springfield. "We also paid $1,785 in sales taxes."

Because the chamber is a not-for-profit organization he hopes to negotiate that down to 5 percent of the gross next year.

The relationship between the chamber and the fair is solid, however, and some minor changes should get income to back over $10,000 next year.

"But, it was a good year," he said.

Fred Huff told members there will be a Du Quoin Day at the fair on the first Monday of the 2014 10-day run.

Chamber Welcomes Collin Dorsey

Chamber president Gary Kelly opened the evening by presenting high school senior and Indian mascot Collin Dorsey, a senior role model who attended the national Future Business Leaders of America convention in Anaheim, Calif this summer. He participates in track and field, drama and theater, the swim team and is a member of the Marching Indians band.

He is looking at SIU or Southeast Missouri State University for college and hopes to pursue a communications career in television news.

New Chamber Second Vice-President

President Kelly announced that Chip Banks of Chip Banks Chevrolet will serve as second vice-president as board members whose term expired this year will serve new terms through 2016.

Veterans Day Parade

The annual Veterans Day parade will be on Monday, November 11 starting at 10 a.m. in downtown Du Quoin and will be followed by Legion and VFW events. DHS principal Matt Hickam will be the emcee working from a platform in front of the Du Quoin State Bank.

Chamber Guests

The board welcomed Betti Mucha and her husband, she has been the director of the Perry County Child Advocacy Center for the last eight years, Beth Thompson of M & M Insurance, Pete Patalas of Horace Mann, Jennifer Myers, wife of city administrator Brad Myers, and Jessica Holder of the Courtside Grill.

Kelly extended his deep appreciation to Tracy Fenton of Fenton Custom Collision for providing some great barbecue for the dinner meeting.