Easy as pie
DU QUOIN - It was an afternoon right out of the pages of history, at least where state fairs are concerned.
The sun was shining, a cool breeze was blowing, and the streets and grounds of the Du Quoin State Fair were filled with visitors on Saturday, the first full day of operation for the fair.
Along with the midway filled with rides, games, and vendors selling wares and treats, the agriculture events were also in full swing, as well as a number of contests held in the Heartland Coca-Cola Expo Hall.
About 60 guests mingled near the stage area to watch the Smile Contest, many sticking around for the Pie Contest.
Four ladies from across Southern Illinois set up their areas on the stage to complement their pies. Lisa Valier of Du Quoin took the blue ribbon with her homemade cherry pie. Cobden's Yvonne Murray took second place with a strawberry margarita pie. Third place went to Du Quoin's Crystal Winters who served a chocolate cream pie.
Local vendors were also set up in the hall, including Stanley's Food Systems of Harrisburg, offering free samples of Italian beef made with the company's seasoning. Several visitors lined up to make a purchase from A&J's Homemade Ice Cream from Odin.
The traditional twilight parade kicked off the official opening of the fair on Friday evening, led by grand marshals Gerald and Betty Brown of Jonesboro. This year's theme is "Celebrate Illinois: 200 Years of Amazing."
Several entries received honors. The Perry County Shrine Club took the Governor's Award, for the most fitting presentation of the theme, as well as the Manager's Award for excellence in craftsmanship. The Perry County Fair queens took the Director's Award, signifying the most beautiful entry. The Hayes Memorial Award for the best display or originality went to the Southern Illinois Duck Derby/Special Olympics. That entry also nailed the Judge's Special Award.
This year's Moo Moo Classic was held on Thursday afternoon. The Du Quoin Call team of Sheila McCune, Norma Tackett, and Holly Kee took second place milking their Holstein, finishing about a half ounce behind the team from The Southern Illinoisan. Third place went to WSIL-TV and fourth place to the legislative team of Terri Bryant, Dave Severin, and Paul Schimpf.
The Du Quoin State Fair will run daily through Sept. 3.<object id="Extra Pictures" type="x-im/image" uuid="0595A470-8DC1-470D-A6E6-2A2A4A4B97E4"><links><link rel="self" type="x-im/image" uri="im://image/0595A470-8DC1-470D-A6E6-2A2A4A4B97E4.jpg" uuid="0595A470-8DC1-470D-A6E6-2A2A4A4B97E4"><data><title><![CDATA[