| News |
OUR VIEW: As a bully, Blagojevich excels in budget battles - By the JG/T-C Editorial Board
Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s latest chapter in peevishness ended last week with his retreat from a threat to cut funding to state agriculture programs. The governor is rapidly running out of bullets in his attempts to bully the legislature in the battle over the state budget.
Blagojevich insists the state faces a $750-million shortfall in funding in the fiscal year ending June 30. However, according to Senate President Emil Jones — who Blagojevich counts an ally — the state is $400 million short of anticipated revenues.
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Speak out and support 4-H clubs - Published: 4/30/2008 12:11 AM
I've been 4-H for four years now, and I need your help to save my club and many others through Illinois.
This wonderful group of young people who help the community and give to charity is part of the Lake County University of Illinois Extension. They have been notified that as of May 1, we will not receive the $12.8 million dollars in matching funds that were already approved of by the Illinois General Assembly for 2008. This match makes up about 50 percent of every extension budget.
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Proposed ag cuts draw responses on benefits of 4-H - By Chuck Sweeny
RRSTAR.COM
Posted Apr 23, 2008 @ 09:03 PM
Tuesday’s column about Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s plan to withhold millions of dollars from long-standing agriculture-related programs provoked strong responses from 4-H’ers:
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Rules eased for fair exhibitors’ ID - By ADRIANA COLINDRES
STAFF WRITER posted April 14th, 2008
Responding to the outcry over a new state rule about who may exhibit livestock and horses at Illinois fairs, legislators are considering lifting the mandate. In the meantime, the state Department of Agriculture has decided to ease the rule for now, making it voluntary.
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Hearing set on impact of cuts on ag programs - posted April 11th, 2008
SPRINGFIELD - Two legislators are protesting funding cuts to agriculture in the state budget.
State Rep. David Reis, R-Mt. Vernon, and Senator John O. Jones, R- Mt. Vernon, are pushing back against Governor Blagojevich's funding cuts to the Department of Agriculture by calling for a joint legislative hearing.
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Budget cut would have huge impact on Extension - posted April 8th, 2008
By Michelle Koetters
BLOOMINGTON — The University of Illinois Extension would lose half of its budget if Gov. Rod Blagojevich gets his way.
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Ag director resigns to care for sick wife - posted Thursday February 29th, 2008
By BERNARD SCHOENBURG
POLITICAL WRITER
Chuck Hartke, who spent more than 18 years in the Illinois House before getting his dream job as director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture in 2003, is stepping down from that post.
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Premises ID Required for County Fairs - posted Thursday November 1st, 2007
A premises identification number will be required to exhibit livestock at state, county, 4-H and FFA fairs beginning in 2008, the Illinois Department of Agriculture announced today.
Premises registration is the first step toward the establishment of a National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and will greatly improve the ability of Illinois animal health professionals to contain disease outbreaks.
“Knowing the location of each and every livestock operation in the state would enable us to quickly trace the movement of infected animals, impose quarantines and, perhaps, prevent the disease from spreading to neighboring farms if an outbreak were to occur,” Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said. “The information is absolutely critical to our disease-fighting capabilities, especially at events like fairs where large numbers of animals are confined for short periods of time and then moved. This is one, reasonable step we can take to protect not only the health of livestock, but also the livelihood of the entire livestock industry.”
Nearly 9,000 Illinois livestock operations already have enrolled in the NAIS, that's roughly 30 percent of the state’s premises.
The application form is posted on the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s website at http://www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid. Producers who register online will receive a premises ID number immediately. The application also can be completed and returned by mail, but may take four weeks to process. To obtain a copy of the form, producers should call 1-866-299-9256.
For More Info Contact:
John Hawkins, News Service Director
Phone: 309 557-2237 Fax: (800) 640-1995
E-Mail
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Web exclusive: Watseka teen wins state talent competition - 01/23/2008, 5:12 pm
MItchell Rose of Watseka, 14, is this year’s winner of the junior talent competition held Saturday at the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs convention in Springfield.
The contest judges picked Rose, of Watseka, over 43 other acts, according to an IAAF press release. He won $150 for his vocal rendition of Michael Buble’s “Kissing a Fool.”
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Georgetown Fair queen picks up her latest crown By Pat Phillips
Tuesday, January 22, 2008 7:02 AM CDT
– SPRINGFIELD – Molly Reeves of Danville was feeling a little overwhelmed Monday morning after taking the title of Miss Illinois County Fair Queen at the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs convention in Springfield on Sunday evening.
"Things are a little crazy this morning," Reeves said.
Reeves won the Miss Georgetown Fair competition last August in order to compete with 66 other county fair queens for the title Sunday. Now she will reign over the Illinois State Fair from Aug. 8 through 17.
"I've been very focused," Reeves said. "After my interview, I knew I had a shot at being in the top 12, so I knew I had to get up there and kick some butt."
The 67 contestants competed in evening gown and swimsuit divisions, gave a one-minute speech on stage and had a four-minute private interview with the judges off stage for the first round.
After the top 12 contestants were announced, the slate was wiped clean of scoring. The final round included repeating the one-minute speech, swimsuit and evening gown competitions, and a two-minute private interview, and each contestant was given three questions to answer though they could not hear each other's answers, Reeves said.
"I was contestant number 55 for the first round and contestant number 5 in the finals," she said. "Five is my lucky number – even before."
Reeves signed a contract with the Illinois Department of Agriculture early Monday morning. Her duties as Miss Illinois County Fair Queen will include reigning over the state fair and attending the DuQuoin County Fair and visiting as many county fairs as possible.
"Next year is the 50th anniversary of the state fair queen pageant, so I will be helping to plan for this special convention," Reeves said.
Reeves is taking a semester off from school this spring and will attend Southern Illinois University in the fall, majoring in fashion design and minoring in Spanish.
Perks Reeves receives as the state representative includes access to wardrobe through assistance from pageant sponsors and the Illinois County Fair Queen Directors Association. She will have a car and gas reimbursement when she represents the Department of Agriculture. She will also be employed by the department during the months of June, July and August.
"I knew about the responsibilities and what came with the title, but now I'm getting all the details," Reeves said. "I'm just so grateful to be able to do this."
Reeves was first runner-up in the 2005 Miss Vermilion County Fair competition and won the 2006 Miss East Central Illinois competition, the local title in the Miss America competition.
Reeves has worked with Georgetown Fair pageant directors Karen Thornsbrough and Jill Pope every Monday since she won that title.
"You don't know how excited we were," Thornsbrough said. "Georgetown hasn't had a contestant in the top 12 in 10 years, and we had a top 12 and the winner last night. We knew she was good. She worked so very hard. It's wonderful to see her get the title."
Thornsbrough called Reeves extremely prepared.
"When you can go into an interview prepared, you can go in relaxed for whatever they throw at you and it makes a difference," she said.
Thornsbrough said that Hannah Reeley of Catlin, first runner-up; Aubrey Warner of Catlin, second runner-up; and BreAnna Grant of Potomac, third runner-up, will share the Miss Georgetown Fair duties for parades and other public appearances depending on who is available.
"Georgetown has never had a state fair queen," Reeves said.
"I'm excited about representing this area and tell everyone across the state how much we have to offer."
Reeves is a graduate of Schlarman High School and is the daughter of Art Reeves and Susan Willaman.
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Fairgrounds Mailing Address Labels for 2006 State of Illinois These are available on standard Avery Mailing labels 8160 or 5160. The cost is ten dollars. There are two full pages and about half of a third (apprx.79 total). When you pay for them. PayPal willsend me a notice and your e-mail address and I will send them to you.

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Adams County Fair in Mendon July 24-30th, 2008
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Physical Location: 210 East 1250th Street Illinois Route 336 Northeast of Quincy
Phone: 217-936-2230
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Bond County Fair in Greenville August
Physical Location: 1224 Midway
Fair Information: 618-664-1412 |
Boone County Fair 51 Years Old in 2008 in Belvidere August
Physical Location: 8791 Highway 76 Belvidere
Phone: 815 544-4066
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Brown County Fair in Mt. Sterling July
Physical Location: Fairgrounds Road
Phone:
217-773-3939
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Bureau County Fair 153 Years Old in 2008 in Princeton August
Physical Location: Rte 6 & 34 West Peru Phone: 815-875-2905 |
Calhoun County Fair in Hardin September
Physical Location: at Poor Farm Hollow
Phone: 618-576-2312 |
Carroll County Fair in Milledgeville August
Physical Location:
Milledgeville
Phone:
During Fair Week only: 815-225-7444 |
Cass County Fair in Virgina July
Physical Address:
Phone:
217-452-3979 |
Champaign County Fair 156th Annual in 2008 in Urbana July 18-26th, 2008
Fisher Community Fair & Horse Show 67th Annual in 2008 in Fisher July 8-12th, 2008
Map to Fair
Phone: 217-897-1437 Fair Office
217-897-6299 Prior to Fair Week
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Midwest Ag Expo in Gifford January 21-22nd, 2009
Phone: 608-240-4700
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Christian County Agricultural Fair 85th Annual in 2008 in Taylorville July
Pana Fair in Pana August
Clark County Fair in Marshall July 9-13th, 2008
Martinsville Agricultural Fair in Martinsville June
Physical Address:
Phone: 618-586-9711 |
Clay County Fair in Flora July
Physical Location: Charlie Brown Park Old Highway 50
Phone: 618-678-1046 |
Clinton County Fair in Carlyle July
Physical Location: If entering town from North: go thru stoplight - cross RX tracks and take first and second street on right If entering Town from West: there is a sign on 17th street with an arrow
Phone: 618-594-4169 |
Coles County Fair Charleston July
Physical Location: Corner of E street and West Madison
Phone: 217-345-2656
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Christkindlmarket Chicago November

Location: Daley Plaza between Washington, Clark & Dearborn Street
Phone: Fair Phone: 312-494-2175
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Concierge Services, from Travelocity Let Travelocity's Concierge Services help you pre-book the most popular city tours and sightseeing, make restaurant reservations, get a tee time, purchase theme-park tickets, and more!
Crawford County Fair in Oblong July
Cumberland County Fair 120th Fair in 2008 Greenup August
Physical Location: 701 West Cumberland
Phone: Fair Secretary: 217-923-3034 |
Farmer City Fair in Farmers City July
De Kalb County Fair The Sandwich Fair 121st Fair in 2008
 in Sandwich September 3-7th, 2008
Physical Location: 1401 Suydam Road Sandwich Fair Associations secretary's office: 815 786-2389 |
Sycamore Farmer's Club Jr. Fair in Sycamore August
DuPage County Fair
in Wheaton July 24-27th, 2008
Grandstand Entertainment
7 Adults $4 Seniors (62 years and older) $1 Children 3 to 8 years Free Children 2 and under
Entertainment:
Wednesday, 7/25 9:00 PM Joe Nichols VIP $40, Infield $25, Grandstand & Bleachers $15
Thursday, 7/26 8:00 PM The Hush Sound & Plain White T's VIP $20, Infield, Grandstand & Bleachers $15
Friday, 7/27 9:00 PM Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Presents Josh Turner VIP $40, Infield $25, Grandstand & Bleachers $15
Saturday, 7/28 8:00 PM Paula DeAnda Saturday, 7/28 9:00 PM JoJo $25 includes both Saturday evening shows Saturday, 7/28 10:30 AM Ralph's World Saturday, 7/28 12:30 PM American English Saturday, 7/28 2:30 PM The Happiness Club $15 includes All 3 Saturday daytime shows, $7.50 for children 3-8 years
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Physical Address: 2015 Manchester Road Phone: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm 630-668-6636 |
Edgar County Fair in Paris July
Physical Location: 1104 South Main
Phone: 217-465-5379 |
Edwards County Fair in Albion
July
Directions to the Fairgrounds: if you are coming in on 131 there is a sign as you come into Albion, says fairgrounds one blk, - from Rte. 15 the first block there is a sign points up 8th street, says fairgrounds
Phone: 618 445-3615 |
Effingham County Fair Altamont August
Fayette County Fair Brownstown July
Physically Located on: Rte. 40
Phone:
618-245-6221 |
Ford County Fair Melvin July
Franklin County 4-H Fair Ina July
Physical Location: behind Rend Lake College
County Extension Office
618-439-3178 |
Fulton County Fair Lewistown July
Gallatin County Fair Ridgeway September
Physical Location: go strisght thru town as you are traveling east, go one block past drug store, there is a sign turn to your left and follow the road Phone:
618-272-8971 |
Greene County Fair Carrollton June
Physical Location: Phone:
217-942-3251 |
Grundy County Fair Morris June
Physical Address: ILL Rte47 NorthPhone:
815-448-5473
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Hamilton County Fair McLeansboro July
Physically Located: on Hwy 14 West
Phone: Fair Secretary:
618-773-4625
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Hancock County Fair Augusta July
Physically Located: from town you will hit Hwy 61 and there is a sign to fair Phone: 217-392-2571
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Henderson County Fair Stronghurst July
Phone: Fair Office:
309-924-1195 |
Henry County Fair Cambridge June
Iroquois County Agricultural & 4-H Club Fair Crescent City July
Phone:
815-457-2947 OR
Fair Office good only during July: 815-683-2359 |
Jasper County Fair Newton June
Jefferson County 4-H Fair in Ina July
Phone: County Extension Office
618-242-0780
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Jersey County Fair in Jerseyville July 5-13th, 2008
Directions to Fairgrounds
Phone:
For additional information on the Jersey County Fair, please call 618-498-5848. After July 2nd, call the fair office at 618-498-3422 |
Jo Daviess County Fair in Warren August 20-26th, 2008
Physical Address: 110 High Street
Phone: Fairgrounds phone during the fair:
815-745-2200 |
Galena Country Fair in Galena October 11-12th, 2008
Physical Location: Grant Park
Phone:
309-944-4321
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Elizabeth Community Fair in Elizabeth July
Physical Location: on Rte. 20 - west
Phone:
815-858-3789
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Kane County Fair in St. Charles July 16-20th, 2008
Kankakee County Fair in Kankakee July 30th-August 3rd, 2008
Kankakee Speedway
Kendall County Fair
in Yorkville July 31-August 3rd, 2008
Knox County Fair
in Knoxville July 29-August 2nd, 2008
Physical Location: 1392 Knox Hwy 9
Phone: 309-289-2714
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LaSalle County Fair in Ottawa July
Physical Location:
Phone:
815-433-0371
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Tri-County Fair in Mendota August 28-September 1st, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
5:00 pm - Harness Racing sponsored by Eureka Savings Bank
7:00 pm - 4th Annual "Ladies" Pageant sponsored by Kick Cancer Krewe
Friday, August 29, 2008
1:00 pm - Harness Racing sponsored by Eureka Savings Bank
TBA - Demolition Derby
Saturday, August 30, 2008
TBA - Pedal Pull Ages 3-12 FREE!!!
8:00 pm - NFPB Professional Bull Riding presented by First State Bank
Sunday, August 31, 2008
TBA - Truck/Tractor Pull
FREE FIREWORKS
Monday, September 1, 2008
TBA - Demolition Derby
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Physical Location: 405 1st Avenue
Phone: 815-539-7974
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Lake County Fair
in Grayslake July 22-27th, 2008
Lawrence County Fair
in Sumner July 26-August 2nd, 2008
Lee Co. 4-H Fair & Jr. Show in Amboy July
Physical Location: 1196 Franklin Rd
Phone:
815-453-2200
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Livingston County Agricultural Fair in Pontiac July
Physical Location:
Phone: 815-842-2753 |
Cullom Junior Fair in Cullom August
Cullom Junior Fair Diana Loschen Exhibitor Contact:
1675 E. 3600 N. Road Phone:815/253-6404
Vendor Contact: Ron Shapland Kempton, IL 60946 Cullom, IL 60929 Phone:815-689-2155 |
Fairbury Fair in Fairbury August
Physical Location: 600 South 3rd Street
Phone:
815-692-3222 |
Logan County Fair
 in Lincoln July
Logan Co. Fair Assoc. P.O. Box 424 Lincoln, Illinois 62656 Phone:
217-732-3311
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Miss Illinois County Fair Pageant in Lincoln August 17-20th, 2008
Phone:
217-732-1199
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Macon County Fair in Decatur June
Decatur-Macon Co. Fair Assoc. 3700 Westlawn Avenue Decatur, IL 62526 Phone: 217-877-8941 OR 217-875-0135
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Macoupin County Fair in Carlinville July 14-19th, 2008
Physical Location: 21363 Rte. 4
Phone:
217-854-9422 |
Madison County Fair in Highland July
Physical Location: 2025 Park Hill Drive
Phone:
618-644-5441
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Marion County Fair 68th Annual in 2008 in Salem July 25-August 2nd, 2008
Physical Address: 1800 Fairgrounds Road
Phone:
618-547-3337 |
Marshall - Putnam Fair 87th Annual in 2008 in Henry July 9-13yh, 2008
Physical Location: 915 University Street
Phone: 309-364-2814 |
Mason County Fair in Havanna July
Cooperative Extension Phone: 309-543-3308
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Massac County Youth Fair & County Fair
in Metropolis July
Massac Co. Youth Fair & Comm. Ctr., Inc. Dale Walter Phone:
618-524-7302
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McDonough County Fair in Macomb July
3028 West Jackson
Phone: 309-836-8508
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McHenry County Fair in Woodstock
August 20-September 3rd, 2008
Tickets:
$ 7.00 Season Pass: $15.00 Exhibitor Pass(includes $9 entry fee credit) $15.00 Child Daily Pass (children 8-12) $ 2.00 Wed - Senior Citizen Day (over 65) $ 2.00 Thurs - Senior Citizen Day (over 65) $ 2.00 Special Groups with prior arrangments: $ 2.00 4-H Pass (purchased at extension office): $ 2.00
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2007 Grandstand Events
2007 Queen Contest
2nd Year of Bull Riding
Truck & Tractor Pulls
Combine Demo
Demo Derby - 2 Shows Sunday
presented by Darkhorse Racing
2007 Rules Available
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Physical Location: Rte. 47 and Country Club Road
Phone: 815-338-5310 |
McLean County Fair in Bloomington July 30-
August 3rd, 2008
# All NEW Live Shark Show.
# NEW Nascar Simulator and Vintage Earnhardt and Petty Cars!
# NEW Muttville Comix Dog Show!
# Come see: Balloon Artist, Caricature Artist, Baby Chicks, Magicians, Clown, Stilt Walker, and more!
# Pork days Tues. Night, Thurs., Sat.
# Beef days Wed., Fri., Sun.
# Pickup Truck
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Fairgrounds Map and Directions to:
Phone: 309-829-3976 |
Menard County Fair in Petersburg July
Physical Location: Rural Rte 2
Phone:
217-632-3848
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Mercer County Fair in Aledo July
Physical Location: 848 170th Street
Phone: Fairgrounds-open last two weeks of June and one day after fair is over 309-582-2350 |
Monroe County Fair in Waterloo July
Physical Location: 477 St Rt 156
Phone: 618/939-7796 |
Montgomery County Fair 23rd Year in 2008 in Walshville June
Morgan County Fair in Jacksonville July
Morgan Co. Ag. Fair Assoc. Judy Runyon 110 N. Westgate Jacksonville, IL 62650 Fair Office open late June to mid July phone: 217-245-6800 Rest of year please phone:
217-245-2709 |
Moultrie-Douglas County Fair in Arthur July 25-27th, 2008
Physically Located at:behind the high school
Phone:
217-578-3787
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Moultrie-Sullivan Jr. Fair in Sullivan July 25-27thm 2008
Physically Located at:
Phone:
217- |
Ogle County Fair 151 Years Old in 2008! in Oregon August
Physical Address: 1440 North Limekiln RoadPhone:
815-732-6962 |
Heart of Illinois Fair
 in Peoria July 11-19th, 2008
Physical Location: 1601 N. Northmoor
Phone:
309-691-6332 |
DuQuoin State Fair
in DuQuoin August
Physical Location: 655 Executive Drive
Phone:
618-542-1515
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Piatt County Jr. Fair in Cerro June
Physical Location: 523 1/2 South Jefferson Street
Phone:
217-763-6313 |
Pike County Fair in Pleasant Hill July
Physically Located on Rte. 96 - if coming from the West - go thru Louisans Missouri across the bridge four way stop and turn right Rte. 96
Phone:
217-285-4832
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Western Illinois Fair 120th Fair in 2008 in Griggsville June
Physical Location: Lincoln & Oak Street 21-25th, 2006 Phone:
217 833 2051 Or 217-833-2116 |
Pope County Fair in Pleasant Hill July
Pulaski Civic and Community Fair in Pulaski August
Physical Location: 300 Commercial Street
Phone: 618-342-6412
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see Marshall County
Randolph County Fair in Sparta July
Phone:
618-443-6279, evenings |
Richland County Fair in Olney July
Physical Location:
Phone:
618-392-0766 |
Rock Island County Fair in East Moline July 15-20th, 2008
Physical Location: 4200 Avenue of the Cities
Phone: 309-796-1620 |
Saline County Fair in Harrisburg July
Sangamon County Fair
 in New Berlin June 18-22nd, 2008
Free Admission Parking: $5.00
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Physical Location: 316 Birch Street
Phone: 217-488-2685 |
State Fair in Springfield August 8-17th, 2008
Physically Located At:
801 Sangamon Avenue
Phone:
217/782-6661 |
Schuyler County Fair in Rushville June
Physical Location:
Phone:
217-322-3276
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Scott County Fair in Winchester July
| Phone: County Extension Office:
217-742-9572 |
Shelby County Fair in July
Phone: County Extension Office:
217-774-9546
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St. Clair County Fair in Belleville August
Physical Location 200 South Belt East
Phone:
618-233-0052 |
St. Clair Speedway
Stark County Fair in Wyoming July
Physically Located at:
Phone:
309-286-7117
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Stephenson County Fair in Freeport August
Physical Location: 2250 S. Walnut Road
Phone: 815-235-2918 |
Veteran's Memorial Fair in Pekin July
Physically Located at:
Phone:
309-348-2345 |
Southern Illinois Fair in Anna August 16-23rd, 2008
Phone: Fair Office: 618-833-8923 or
618-833-8259 |
Vermilion County Fair & Expo in Danville August 19-23rd, 2007
The Georgetown Fair Association 70th in 2008 in Georgetown August 2-8th, 2008
Admission=$2 Parking: Free
Carnival=Jon Leuhr Spectacular Attractions
Demolition Derby=Sat. Aug 9, 2008 - 7:30pm
Motocross=Friday Aug 8, 2008, 7:00pm
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Physical Location: Seminary Street
Directions: In Georgetown take Rt 1 to Mill St. , go East on Mill Street to Seminary St . Go North on Seminary Street to the Fairgrounds
Mailing Address: PO Box 204 Georgetown, IL 61846
Phone: 217-662-6415
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General E-Mail
 | Media Contact Scott Davis 217-896-2130
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Wabash County Youth Fair in Mt. Carmel July
Follow these Directions to the Fair: if get into Mt. Carmel on Hwy 1 going north, turn north on Market street and follow road out and go thru 2 stop signs, past college on left side follow road over hill second road turns to right, Mabel Courter 4-H Center Road
Phone:
618-262-5264 |
Warren County Agricultural Fair in Roseville July
Physically Located at:
Phone:
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Nashville-Washington County Fair in Nashville July
Physical Location: 815 East Holzhauer drive
Phone:
618-327-4401 Fairgrounds office open a week before and week after the fair, phone: 618-327-3298
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Okawville Agricultural Products Fair in Okawville September
Physical Location: 511 S. Hanover Street
Phone:
618-243-6285
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Wayne County Fair in Fairfield July
White County Fair in Carmi July
Whiteside County Fair 138th in 2008 in Morrison August 12-16th, 2008
Physical Location: 201 West Winfield Street
Phone: 815-722-2076 |
Will County Fair 102nd Fair in 2008 in Peotone August
Physical Location:
Phone:
708-258-3266 |
Williamson County Fair 152nd Fair in 2008 in Marion August
2007 Schedule
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Physical Location: 500 West First Street
Phone: 618-993-2609 |
Winnebago County 87th Fair in 2008 in
Pecatonica August 12-17th, 2008
Winnebago County Fairgrounds
P.O. Box 810
Pecatonica, IL 61063
(We're just 20 minutes west of Rockford in north-central Illinois!)
1-800-238-3587 |
Woodford County 4-H Fair in
Eureka July
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