The Illinois State Fair will have a new logo for 2017.

STATE

New look kicks off changes for this year’s state fair

The Illinois State Fair will sport a new look this year with a redesigned logo. Director Raymond Poe and State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon recently unveiled the new logo, and the 2017 fair theme, “Generations of Fun!” The logo keeps the iconic Main Gate, but provides a more modern look.

The Illinois State Fair is a family-friendly tradition that dates back to 1853. Information about new entertainment, events and food options at the fair will be announced later. The fair is held each year in Springfield. This year’s dates are Aug. 10-20.

The fair will see at least two new rides join the Carnival Midway this year. The Downdraft is a death-defying ride that will have fairgoers free fall from 30 feet in an open car while their feet dangle below. Also, the fair will feature a roller coaster called the Bullet Train.

A Illinois State Fair Mega Pass will allow fairgoers to enjoy unlimited rides all 11 days of the fair. The Mega Pass is on sale now for $70. They can be purchased by phone, (217) 782-6661, or online at Illinois.gov/statefair. Also, discount admission booklets will be sold. These booklets provide 11 adult admission tickets for $60, or 11 senior admission tickets for $30. These booklets are available only by phone.

CENTRAL ILLINOIS

ACLU chapter annual meeting set

The Peoria ACLU Chapter’s annual meeting is scheduled for April 27, at the IVY Club, 1502 N. Galena Road, Peoria Heights.

The event features Peoria City Council member Beth Jensen speaking on civil liberties and municipal government. She is the program director of the Public Interest Law Initiative, an organization dedicated to expanding legal access to individuals, families and communities needing legal services.

The Community Word and its managing editor Clare Howard will receive The Sam Belfer Award for valuable and important journalism. Ryan Hidden will receive The Citron award for founding the group ChangePeoria to support candidates seeking political offices.

The event begins with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by the program. Reservations are due April 21, at aclupeoria.org.

EUREKA 

District 140 hikes signup fees

Registration fees for District 140 have been increased. The new fees for the coming school year will be: kindergarten through grade four, $100 (full day); students in grades five through eight, $105; and high school students, $115

High school students tally efforts for St. Jude research

Eureka High School students’ various fundraising efforts netted $53,094.27, which they donated to the Peoria-based St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The fundraisers included: coin war competition, three-on-three basketball tournament, donkey b-ball game, volleyball tourney, Krispy Kreme doughnut sale, garage sale, Euchre tourney, gaming night and family movie night.

Supporters hit the streets in Reagan race, walk

The public is invited to run in Ronald Reagan’s footsteps on Eureka College’s historic campus by participating in the April 22 Reagan 5K Race and 1 Mile Walk. Race proceeds will benefit the Ronald W. Reagan Society of Eureka College, which helps students in the leadership program; and the museum and peace garden, research center, lectures series and conferences. Race proceeds also will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, which was the devastating disease Reagan was diagnosed with in 1994.

Registration begins at 7 a.m. The 400m and 1-Mile Kids Dash begin at 8 a.m.; the 5K race starts at 8:30 a.m.

Race day registration fees are $35 for 5K and 1 Mile Walk, $10 for Eureka College students, Kids Dash and 1-Mile Fun Run for participants 12 and under. The starting line will be at the corner of Reagan Drive and Burgess Street. Runners continue on Burgess, east on James Street, south on Dickinson Drive and west on Reagan Drive. This square will be completed three times. Finish on College Avenue in front of the Dickinson Commons, where breakfast for the runners will be served.

For more information, contact Kelly Gschwend, race director, at kgschwend@eureka.edu.

–Woodford County News Briefs–