Nearly 100 entries for Friday's twilight fair parade
The Du Quoin State Fair's First Lady, Mrs. Jeannine Baxter, who is celebrating her 25th year at the fair and Pixar Film's "Mater" the tow truck will lead the nearly 100 entries in Friday's Du Quoin State Fair twilight parade.
This is the 92nd year for the Du Quoin State Fair, and the parade steps off from the Du Quoin Statebank Park following the 5:45 p.m. ribbon cutting at the front gate by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Du Quoin State Fair manager Shannon Woodworth.
Mater is like "Tuh"-mater without the "tuh." The rust bucket tow truck speaks Southern Redneck: "Well, dip me in axle grease and call me slick!"
At first, Mater was simply going to be parked in front of the grandstand, but Du Quoin State Fair manager Shannon Woodworth couldn't resist the temptation to get him into the parade.
Mater, is a character in the 2006 animated Pixar film "Cars." He is voiced by Larry the Cable Guy and inspired by a 1951 International Harvester tow truck and originally portrayed as a sidekick and friend to Lightning McQueen.
Mater's design is based on a 1951 International Harvester boom truck once used to lift equipment from mine shafts in Cherokee County, Kansas. The original truck is currently based at a former Kan-O-Tex Service Station in Galena; the station was restored as a Route 66 diner and souvenir shop by Four Women on the Route one year after the film's 2006 release.
His original color was Baby Blue, as shown in a flashback; however, over the years he has rusted into a light brown-orange color, with some of the blue still showing, though. He is missing his hood and his left headlight. However, in "Mater and the Ghostlight," he trembles so much, his right headlight comes loose.)
The real-life person who was the inspiration for Mater's voice is Harley Russell from Erick, Oklahoma on Route 66. Harley's natural voice has the same sound and same mannerisms as Mater. Mater's final personality was based on his voice actor, Larry the Cable Guy, and he uses many of Larry's catchphrases, including "Git-R-Done."
Gov. Quinn and GOP Challenger Bruce Rauner Expected in Du Quoin
Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to cut the ribbon on the 2014 Du Quoin State Fair just before parade time and local republicans say they believe gubernatorial challenger Bruce Rauner will b here for the parade, as well.
Parade Lineup
Roger Brand of Du Quoin State Fair special events has provided the newspaper with the current parade lineup as of Monday. Entries in order include:
1. Illinois State Police 2. Illinois State Police Honor Guard. 3. Du Quoin Elks Lodge No. 884 American flag 4. Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. 5. Gov. Pat Quinn. 6. Grand Marshal Jeannine Baxter in convertible. 7. Dixie Land Band. 8. City of Du Quoin police car 9. Mayor Du Quoin. 10 City Council. 11. Robert Flider, Illinois Director of Agriculture. 12. Rhonda Jachino, Illinois Director of County Fairs and Horse Racing. 13. Shannon Woodworth, Du Quoin State Fair manager 14. Parade sponsors banner. 15. 15. Cub Scout Pack No. 47. 16. Other scout groups. 17. Attorney General Lisa Madigan. 18. Secretary of State Jesse White 19. Jesse White tumblers. 20. Secretary of State police car. 21. Comptroller Judy Barr-Topinka 22. Treasurer Dan Rutherford 23. Clydesdales 24. Jerry "The King" Lawler and Tow Mater. 25. Du Quoin High School band. 26. Miss Illinois County Fair 2014 Summer Robbins 27. state fire marshal 28. Du Quoin Fire Department ladder truck. 29. Du Quoin fire trucks. 30. Dowell Fire Department. 31. Dowell Fire Department brush truck. 32. All other fire trucks. (Note: No sirens, please). 33. Fair Acres Rehab and Care Center 34. Illinois Veterans Part of America 35. Widow Sons Masonic Riding Assoc. 36. Southern Bus and Mobility 37. Cellular Connection. 38 Pepsi Mid-America 39. Rend Lake College. 40 Smokey the Bear and Du Quoin Ice 41. Perry County Democrats Central Committee 42. Sheriff Keith Kellerman. 43. Treasurer Bill Taylor. 44 All other democrats. 45. Sesser-Valier Red Devil band 46. Miss Southern Illinois queen and teen. 47. Miss Southern Illinois pre-teen and princess. 48. Warm Hearts Pet Care 49. Friends of Murray Center. 50. Perry County Shrine Club. 51. Southern Illinois Central Labor Council with 150 walkers. 52. 2014 Little Miss Perry County Claira Folden 53. 2014 Jr. Miss Perry County Kayla Epplin 54. 2014 Miss Perry County Melaina Harsy 55. 1929 Ford Roadster. 56. 1939 fire pumper. 57. Memorial Hospital Disaster Blaster 58. Pinckneyville-Du Quoin Airport. 59. Perry County Republican Party. 60. Bruce Rauner for Governor 61. Tom Cross for State Treasurer 62. Jim Oberweis for Senate 63. Terry Bryant for State Representative 64. Bareis for Sheriff 65. Mary Jane Craft for Treasurer 66. Du Quoin Middle School Band 67. Murphysboro Apple Festival prince and princess. 68. Shrine motor patrol 69. Wisely Family antique tractors 70. Whippoorwill Acres antique tractors 71. Jr. Miss Bond County Shelbi McCray 72. UMWA Local 2161 truck 73. Special Olympics Area 15 74. REA Clinic 75. Civic Memorial High School Marching Eagles band. 76. Valvoline Express Care 77. Mark Smith candidate for Governor 78. Little Miss Night Out Klara Fernandez, Keeley Hubbard and Katelyn Seiler 79. Title Max of Illinois car 80. Diamonds Infinity Athletics 81. All-Star gym 82. Du Quoin Saddle Club and Sandy Slope Farms.