By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois may have a new governor, JB Pritzker, but the focus of the 2019 Illinois State Fair (ISF) will remain traditional, on agriculture – the historic backbone of the state’s economy. This is according to ISF Communications Director Krista Lisser, who says an agricultural tour of the fair, August 8-18 in Springfield, begins and ends at the Illinois Department of Agriculture “Ag Tent” located at Main Street and Central Avenue. The “new and improved” Ag Tent offers agricultural activities for all ages, an opportunity to learn how Illinois agriculture affects everyone’s lives, and plenty of educational and interactive games for families to enjoy while learning about farms and farming. This year, a special emphasis will be put on pollinators and the benefits they provide, Lisser explained. “We are putting a spotlight on pollinators, and will have pollinator plants on display in the Ag Tent. We will also have a ‘bee man’ there who will bring bees in Plexiglas so people can see the inner workings of a beehive,” she said. “We want to make this a family atmosphere and a family experience, so families can come and relax in the air conditioning, have a slushie, and catch up on what’s going on with the Department of Agriculture.” Illinois product vendors with the Illinois Specialty Growers Assoc. will be in the Ag Tent offering samples of apple cider, sweet corn, watermelon, and other Illinois-raised foods and beverages. “It’s an opportunity to sample some healthy, if you will, fair food, including some fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Lisser. Entertainment will also be in the Ag Tent this year, including hired performers, a husband- and hog-calling contest, Cutest Little Farmer contest, “crop of the day” discussions, and more. The Ag Tent also serves as the beginning and ending point for the IDOA’s popular Agricultural Tour of the fairgrounds, which, along with Illinois’ commitment to agriculture, keeps expanding. Fairgoers who opt to take the Tour are treated to a behind-the scenes exploration of the key agricultural underpinnings of the fair, led by FFA members. “The tour will take you to the Dairy Building, Farmer’s Little Helpers, the horse barns, and harness racing. You will get to see the Illinois Pork Producers Association’s Piglets on Parade (birthing area), the Robinson chickens, the goat barn and the University of Illinois Master Gardeners area,” Lisser said. The Agriculture Tours, available on a first-come, first-served basis, begin each day of the fair at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Lisser also encourages farmers and those in agribusiness to turn out for Ag Day at the fair, set for August 13, when the Governor’s Sale of Champions will return to the refurbished Coliseum building for the first time in a few years. Grand champion junior livestock – including the barrow, steer, and poultry champion animals – are auctioned, along with the best of Illinois’ processed foods. Ag Day at the fair will also feature truck and tractor pulls and a draft horse show. The Coliseum, more than 100 years old, underwent extensive repairs and upgrades as the centerpiece of a multimillion-dollar fairgrounds renovation effort budgeted under former Gov. Bruce Rauner. “We will also be cutting a ceremonial ribbon on Barn 25Q, which was one of the 25-series barns that have undergone renovations, and there will be about five more that will be renovated following that,” Lisser noted. All fairgrounds upgrades are proceeding on schedule, she said. “We will be ready to roll for the fair.” The Agriculture Tent will be open to the public from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays, and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on weekends. Ag Day is a discount admission date at the ISF, with tickets for all ages priced at just $5. Learn more at www2.illinois.gov/statefair |
