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Circus, The Dixie High
Steppers, wrestlers, and more. The early fairs also had bands and a parade, which is a tradition that has continued. William R. Hayes' son, Don, is the supposed reason for country music's debut at the fair. Many of the performances take place in a building called the Grandstand. Below, split into decades, are lists of notable performers.
149:. The land, purchased by William R. Hayes, was originally used for strip mining. The first fair received funding from approximately 13 other businesses within the town. The original fair took place on 30-acre land. William and the developers promoted the private-sector enterprise as a short-duration
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Agriculture is one of the prominent themes of the fair. The early fairs had livestock and horse shows, and the livestock shows have continued to be a staple. For some of the competitions there are youth versions. "Beef cattle, dairy cattle, heavy horses, mules, sheep, swine, dairy goats, and meet
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is hosted on the grounds. "The
Holiday Lights Fair," a drive-through holiday lights show, is set up at the fair during the holiday season; and, a flea market is hosted on the first Sunday of each month. The fair is looking for other future events to host. The website lists a farmers market as a
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The DuQuoin State Fair also became known for the concerts and shows that were put on. The first stage show was in 1924, and included acrobats, comedians, and more. And the stage shows became a nightly staple beginning in the late 1920s. Some of the earliest performers include the Rice
Brothers
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goats" are the livestock represented in the current competitions. Swine is now the most popular animal at the livestock shows. The safety and health of the animals are a high priority, with inspections and certifications being necessary. The fair has also hosted
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The DuQuoin Fair was organized in 1923 by
William R. "W.R." Hayes and a consortium of Du Quoin developers, but after several years Hayes would buy out the other investors. It is believed that Hayes was inspired after attending the World's Fair in
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potential idea that is taking vendors. With the next solar eclipse occurring in 2024, the fair is looking to be a "prime viewing" location for the event with hopes that tourists will stay in local hotels and visit local businesses.
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shows, pageants, and cooking competitions. The current fair includes a variety of vendors, many local. Many of the popular vendors sell fried foods, such as corndogs, fries, fried pickles, and more.
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heritage. Although the host town of the fair is spelled "Du Quoin", with a space, the
Department of Agriculture refers to the fair as the "DuQuoin State Fair", with the space omitted.
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The fair is also the host of several other events throughout the year. Certain racing events occur at other times throughout the year, such as motocross. A firework show for
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With the departure of the
Hambletonian, the DuQuoin Fair faced economic challenges and was taken over from the private sector in 1986 by the state of Illinois.
227:, also called the "Magic Mile." While events on the racetrack do occur during the fair, the tracks host events at other times throughout the year.
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following its departure from several fairs in New York, and would continue to host until 1980. After the
Hambletonian moved to a new location, the
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has been celebrated almost every year since 1923. Currently, the fair is held annually over an 11-day period concluding on
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motor sporting events. There is still a half-mile track on the grounds, which host a variety of events:
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on an approximately 1,600 acres (650 ha) fairground site adjacent to the southern
Illinois town of
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In the 1920s, it cost 50 cents to enter the grounds and between 25 and 50 cents to enter the
Grandstand
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first performed at the fair in 1983, but returned to play in 1986, 1987, and 1988. In 1987,
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631:"The Du Quoin State Fair at 100 -- The 1920s In the beginning, there was William R. Hayes"
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The grounds contain restrooms, showers, picnic areas, fishing sites, ski shows and more
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No fair was held between 1942–45 nor 2020; the fair in 2020 was cancelled due to the
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The fair in 2022 would have been the 100th one if it had not been cancelled in 2020
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Starting with a half-mile track, the developers eventually built a mile-long
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882:"Everything you need to know about the 2023 Du Quoin State Fair"
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had record attendance the next year, 2023, of 708,000 attendees
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of each year. However, in 1927, the fair opened on Labor Day.
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In 2022, the record for attendance was set: 171,102 attendees
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Hayes owned several other business before starting the fair
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The fair has an estimated "economic impact of $ 6 million"
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were another noteworthy group that performed at the fair.
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Fireworks were a source of entertainment at early fairs
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Grandstand (stage area) capacity: approximately 7,500
940:"Location makes Illinois' Du Quoin State Fair unique"
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Today, PHYLLIS COULTER Illinois Farmer (2023-08-06).
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had the fourth most attendees at a concert since 2012
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104:is an annual festival, centering on the themes of
186:would then be hosted at the fair from 1981-2009.
339:were popular artists that performed in 2007.
192:Since that time, it has been operated by the
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832:"Du Quoin State Fairgrounds Concert History"
371:In 2013 the following artists performed:
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387:(who performed again in 2015). In 2014
19:For Illinois's primary state fair, see
685:"Growing Illinois: DuQuoin State Fair"
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521:Exhibition Hall Size: 45,000 square ft
516:Original Grandstand seat number: 3,000
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355:performed in 2009. And, in 2010,
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910:Halstead, Marilyn (2023-10-31).
661:"History - City of Du Quoin, IL"
498:Independence Day (United States)
203:The racetrack is used today for
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1081:Festivals established in 1923
880:Mohundro, Mike (2023-08-24).
852:Heller, Marsha (2022-05-09).
248:performed. In the year 1972,
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798:"Du Quoin Concert History"
94:23 August–2 September 2024
86:25 August–4 September 2023
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423:performed. And, in 2019,
425:The All-American Rejects
389:KC and the Sunshine Band
341:The Charlie Daniels Band
325:The Marshall Tucker Band
33:Infobox recurring event
598:www.duquointourism.org
505:Facts & Statistics
178:trotting event in 1957
38:considered for merging
594:"Du Quoin State Fair"
449:Jordan Davis (singer)
391:performed. In 2016,
291:performed. In 1996,
184:World Trotting Derby
166:on the fairgrounds.
916:Southern Illinoisan
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473:Larry the Cable Guy
377:Theory of a Deadman
273:The Pointer Sisters
47:Du Quoin State Fair
21:Illinois State Fair
219:, ATV racing, and
102:DuQuoin State Fair
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991:"Farmers' Market"
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492:Other Events
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469:Randy Houser
461:Dustin Lynch
457:Carly Pearce
439:had an act.
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397:Chris Janson
395:had a show.
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479:Agriculture
475:had shows.
427:performed.
363:performed.
337:Joe Nichols
299:performed.
297:Soul Asylum
260:had shows.
254:Johnny Cash
106:agriculture
83:Most recent
68:Inaugurated
27:‹ The
1055:Categories
1024:2023-11-01
1000:2023-11-01
976:2023-11-01
949:2023-11-01
921:2023-11-01
891:2023-11-01
863:2023-11-01
838:2023-10-30
808:2023-10-30
776:2023-10-31
745:2023-11-01
720:2023-11-01
696:2015-08-27
667:2023-10-30
641:2023-10-31
603:2023-10-31
567:References
441:Chase Rice
409:Buckcherry
353:Joe Diffie
333:Gary Allan
240:The 1970's
126:state fair
114:U.S. state
91:Next event
55:State fair
767:"History"
437:Ron White
435:In 2021,
385:Head East
307:In 2005,
283:In 1991,
244:In 1971,
217:Motocross
143:St. Louis
130:Labor Day
60:Frequency
36:is being
465:Flo Rida
147:Missouri
136:Founding
122:Du Quoin
118:Illinois
63:Annually
40:. ›
29:template
886:WSIL-TV
351:, and
309:Seether
289:Tyketto
246:Chicago
73: (
858:KFVS12
834:. 2021
804:. 2021
451:, and
431:2020's
419:, and
413:P.O.D.
403:, and
383:, and
367:2010's
303:2000's
287:&
285:Nelson
279:1990's
256:, and
124:. The
486:rodeo
359:and
349:Rehab
335:and
264:1980s
52:Genre
739:WSIU
548:The
327:and
311:and
295:and
209:USAC
207:and
205:ARCA
108:and
100:The
75:1923
71:1923
417:Lit
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