Record Number of Corporate Picnics at This Year's Fair

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Thousands of corporate employees throughout Southern Illinois will use the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds as the site for their "company picnic" this year. Fair officials are expecting record numbers.

Two major employers have announced they will be hosting their company's annual picnic during the Du Quoin State Fair, according to Fair Manager John Rednour, Jr. He explained that Continental Tire and Walgreens have both decided to use the fair's facilities this year.

The fair provides giant tents along with a 1,400-acre fairground that includes major amusement rides and a number of free entertainment options as the perfect venue for a company picnic, Rednour said.

"We are looking forward to a record number of company picnics to be held at the fair," Rednour said. "We are very happy to be having so many hard-working men and women from Southern Illinois and their families attending our fair."

One of the largest picnics will be held on Labor Day, it is the Egyptian Building Trades' picnic. Union members and their families representing 15 building trades unions converge on the fairgrounds that day.

"Southern Illinois workers have always been known for their strong work ethic," Rednour said. "We have many great employers and employees in our region. We want these companies, their employees, and their families to be able to come to a single location where they can eat good food and be entertained throughout the day."

Other picnics include Kroger, Knight Hawk Coal LLC, Pepsi, and Department of Children and Family Services.

Rednour noted that there is an opening on Sunday, August 26, if a company would be interested in having a picnic that day. Anyone interested may contact the fair at 618-542-1350.

"This would be a great day for a company picnic because that evening employees would be able to attend and enjoy a free concert by country music legend Lee Greenwood," Rednour noted.