Times Change: Fairgoers Like the 16 Ounce Cans Over Beer from the Tap

he look and feel of the Du Quoin State Fair may have changed since the 1960s and 1970s when the Alongi family had a 17-year run with the fair and delivered pizzas to Italian owners of Hambletonian horses.

Singer Anita Bryant welcomed visitors to the Egyptian Music Company's home theater center in the grandstand. Duncan & Fry Furniture Co. had a beautiful home furnishings display on the north end. Children were fascinated by the work of a blown glass exhibitor. The smell of warm chocolate from Sam the Candy Man's fudge stand. And, the blind accordion player sat by the front door with his dog and a tin cup.