Ribbon cutting, parade mark opening of Du Quoin State Fair Overall numbers are up for first three days

DU QUOIN - By all accounts, the first weekend of the Du Quoin State Fair was well attended.

"The weather cooperated and our numbers were definitely up on Friday and Saturday. It was a little slower Sunday, but it's always a little slower on Sunday and Monday," said Fair Manager Josh Gross.

To illustrate his point, Gross said the Fair earned $34,900 Saturday, which included parking costs only as compared to $35,100 a year ago on the first Saturday that included parking and an admission charge.

"That shows we had more people here, and that's what we were hoping for when we eliminated the admission charge," Gross said.

Attendance at concerts was also slightly up. The All-American Rejects sold 2,300 tickets and Wynonna Judd drew 1,785 fans.

"The entertainers are happy, The vendors have been happy. It's a good start," Gross said.

There was some bad luck Friday and Saturday when the horse races had to be canceled due to a wet and muddy track.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker kicked off the Du Quoin State Fair with a ribbon cutting. Jackie Joyner-Kersee served as the Grand Marshal of the parade. The few bands that performed, including the Marching Salukis, Cobden High School Appleknockers band and the Du Quoin Middle School Warriors, pepped up the crowd.

There were two Du Quoin High School alums marching with the SIU band - Nick King in the drum line and Zach Lilly in the saxophone section. Lots of candy and soda were passed out to patrons by locally crowned kings, queens, princesses and princes and politicians.

One of the more popular entries in the parade was at the tail end - the bubbles bus. Kids and adults alike enjoyed bursting bubbles.

• Jon Montgomery contributed to the story.