Rednour: Record or near record fair

This year's extreme heat midway through the Du Quoin State Fair was better than last year's seven-inch rainfall on Labor Day weekend and manager John Rednour said Tuesday, "It looks like we will have a record or near-record fair."

"The carnival was up and the number of picnics have grown," he continued, which equates to more parking revenue.

"It is amazing the number of people we had with all of the heat."

Rednour said the key seems to be free entertainment, "and it looks like we will have more free entertainment next year," said Rednour.

The Illinois Lottery sponsorship of Gretchen Wilson and other shows hit a home-run for the fair, which was hoping for some big names at the end of its bookings.

"We had more people at the Gretchen Wilson show than there are in the City of Du Quoin," he said.

"The demo derby had a huge crowd. Camping was strong. We had some home-runs out there," he said.

He had nothing but praise for the fair's entire staff.

"They are great!"

"The racetrack was the best that it has been in years. Even with the rain Sunday night, we got the track dried out for USAC," he added.

He extended his deep appreciation to the special events, livestock and home show staff.

"We think we will have the heavy horses back next year in the livestock show," he said.

"Overall, we were way ahead of last year. This will be one of the best fairs that we have ever had," said Rednour.

He said he will meet with the staff in three weeks and have a much better idea of the attendance and revenue numbers.

A flea market, a mounted shooting show and the Jackson Rodeo in November are some the next events on the fair's schedule which lead up to tourism's Holiday Lights Fair.