Freddie Miller: A man in constant motion
<span>DU QUOIN - Amid the hustle and bustle of preparation for the start of the 92</span><span>nd</span><span> Annual Du Quoin State Fair, Freddie Miller stands out as a man in constant motion.</span>
<span>Miller, owner of the Arkansas-based "Miller Spectacular Shows" and a fourth-generation carnival owner, oversees the massive operation that will create thrills-and-chills and plenty of smiles during the 10-day run at Du Quoin.</span>
<span>Miller speaks in a rapid-fire but easy voice when talking about a business that really has been his entire life. His grandfather started the business in the mid-1940s, his dad expanded it later and his two sons also now play a key role.</span>
<span>"When we say we are a family-owned and operated business we really mean that," said Miller. My wife, my sons and my daughter-in-law all play key roles. We are family-owned and that means we are geared toward families."</span>
<span>Miller said fair-goers will be delighted with this year's expanded Midway.</span>
<span>"This is the biggest Midway ever at Du Quoin, with 44 rides in all," he said. "We are looking forward to a great fair this year. We are expecting big crowds again this year."</span>
<span>For the thrill-seekers who will head to Du Quoin during the 10-day run, Miller said this year's fair has three new rides that have never been at the annual Southern Illinois event.</span>
<span>Miller said the "Mega-Bounce" - an octopus-looking ride that moves both circular and up and down, has been a huge hit during the 10-state, 9-month summer schedule. Mega-Bounce is located in the Midway immediately west of the Grandstand.</span>
<span>Another new ride is "Surf's Up" where riders stand up -- a ride that Miller says gives the feeling of actually surfing.</span>
<span>"Everybody loves Surfs Up," Miller said. "There are only two of these rides operating in the United States right now and we have one of them in Du Quoin."</span>
<span>The other new ride at Du Quoin is "Alladin," a mammoth ride that moves simultaneously both vertically and horizontally.</span>
<span>"It's like a magic carpet ride," said Miller. </span>
<span>Miller, who brings 125 to 140 of his own employees on the road, begins his 'carnival season' on March 1 in Southern Louisiana and closes out on the Sunday after Thanksgiving in Stuttgard, AR, with stops in between in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Texas.</span>
<span>"Du Quoin is right at the top of the list for me and the fairs that I enjoy,' said Miller. "It's a state fair so it's a big deal, and we really enjoy coming to Du Quoin."</span>
<span>Miller said the sheer logistics of his nine-month carnival season can sometimes be mind-boggling. After the 10-day stint in Du Quoin will immediately break down the rides and move the dozens of trucks, vans and other pieces of equipment more than 1,100 miles to Lubbock, Texas for a September 5 start there.</span>
<span>"It seems nearly impossible when you look at it," said Miller. "But we do it every year and it always works out."</span>
<span>Shannon Woodworth, manager of the Du Quoin State Fair, said he is happy with the longtime association with Miller Spectacular Shows.</span>
<span>"He (Freddie Miller) is very sincere and professional in the way that he and his family run a huge operation," said Woodworth. "We are happy to have them back at the fair this year and we're thrilled about the new rides they have added."</span>
<span>Noting his concerns about safety, Miller said all 44 rides are given a visual inspection daily, but emphasized that all rides are also checked by St. Louis Testing Laboratories who perform radiographic, magnetic particle and ultrasonic tests prior to the start of the fair."</span>
<span>Miller said those tests are not required by the state of Illinois and are done as an added safety measure.</span>
<span> "We want an extra set of eyes to look at our equipment," said Miller. "Safety is our top priority. We want everybody to have a great time here at Du Quoin."</span>
<span>Kroger Stores throughout Southern Illinois will be selling discounted Wristband Coupons from August 7 until 10 p.m. on Friday, August 22. </span>
<span>Discounted coupons will be sold for $18 each, a savings of $4 off regular price of $22 at the Fairgrounds during the fair itself. </span>
<span>T</span>he 92nd Annual Du Quoin State Fair opens on Friday, August 22 and the Midway, with 44 rides total, (the most ever) at 4 p.m that day.
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