“We hope all Illinoisans will join us this August as we ‘Celebrate Illinois’ at the Illinois and DuQuoin State Fairs,” said State Fair Manager Luke Sailer. (Photo courtesy of Illinois State Fair)

With the start of the Illinois State Fair just 100 days away and the start of the Du Quoin State Fair not far behind, Agriculture Director Raymond Poe is unveiling the theme of the 2018 Illinois and Du Quoin State Fairs:  Celebrate Illinois: 200 Years of Amazing! 

As in years past, the two fairs will share the same theme in an effort to create synergies from fair to fair and unite the state behind our number one industry.

“The Illinois and Du Quoin State Fairs are the perfect place to showcase 200 years of our state’s history,” said Agriculture Director Raymond Poe. “Agriculture is the backbone of our state and its economy.  Each year, the Illinois and Du Quoin State Fairs celebrate the best of what is born, built, and grown in our state.  Adding the bicentennial to the fair’s lineup only adds to our celebration.”

“To perform or compete at the state fairs is considered, by many, a crowning achievement,” said State Fair Manager Luke Sailer.  “This is where we celebrate the best of Illinois agriculture, where we celebrate our history, our achievements, and the end of summer.  We hope all Illinoisans will join us this August as we ‘Celebrate Illinois’ at the Illinois and DuQuoin State Fairs.”

Each year, the Twilight Parade steps off on the opening night of the fairs to serve as the official kickoff to the annual showcase.  Celebrate Illinois: 200 Years of Amazing! will be the theme of the 2018 Twilight Parade in both Springfield and Du Quoin.

In Springfield, applications for participation in the parade will be accepted May 1 – July 9.  Applications will be made available on the state fair website www.illinoisstatefair.info.   In Du Quoin, parade applications will be accepted June 1-Aug. 13.  Applications for the southern Illinois parade will be available online at www.duquoinstatefair.net.

 Planning for the fair – follow updates

Illinois State Fair                                                Du Quoin State Fair
Aug. 9-19                                                       Aug. 24-Sept.  3
www.illinoisstatefair.info                                    www.duquoinstatefair.net
www.facebook.com/ILStateFair                        www.facebook.com/DuquoinStateFair
www.twitter.com/ILStateFair                             www.twitter.com/DQStateFair

— State Fair this summer will celebrate bicentennial  —–