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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.
147:. 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.
225:, 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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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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880:"Everything you need to know about the 2023 Du Quoin State Fair"
852:"Final act named to Du Quoin State Fair 2022 Grandstand Lineup"
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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
938:"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
405:performed in 2017. 2018 was a big year for rock as
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102:is an annual festival, centering on the themes of
184:would then be hosted at the fair from 1981-2009.
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337:were popular artists that performed in 2007.
190:Since that time, it has been operated by the
830:"Du Quoin State Fairgrounds Concert History"
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369:In 2013 the following artists performed:
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385:(who performed again in 2015). In 2014
19:For Illinois's primary state fair, see
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683:"Growing Illinois: DuQuoin State Fair"
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503:Facts & Statistics
176:trotting event in 1957
37:considered for merging
592:"Du Quoin State Fair"
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389:performed. In 2016,
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182:World Trotting Derby
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375:Theory of a Deadman
271:The Pointer Sisters
45:Du Quoin State Fair
21:Illinois State Fair
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100:DuQuoin State Fair
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989:"Farmers' Market"
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490:Other Events
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467:Randy Houser
459:Dustin Lynch
455:Carly Pearce
437:had an act.
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399:Gin Blossoms
395:Chris Janson
393:had a show.
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473:had shows.
425:performed.
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335:Joe Nichols
297:performed.
295:Soul Asylum
258:had shows.
252:Johnny Cash
104:agriculture
81:Most recent
66:Inaugurated
26:‹ The
1053:Categories
1022:2023-11-01
998:2023-11-01
974:2023-11-01
947:2023-11-01
919:2023-11-01
889:2023-11-01
861:2023-11-01
836:2023-10-30
806:2023-10-30
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743:2023-11-01
718:2023-11-01
694:2015-08-27
665:2023-10-30
639:2023-10-31
601:2023-10-31
565:References
439:Chase Rice
407:Buckcherry
351:Joe Diffie
331:Gary Allan
238:The 1970's
124:state fair
112:U.S. state
89:Next event
53:State fair
765:"History"
435:Ron White
433:In 2021,
383:Head East
305:In 2005,
281:In 1991,
242:In 1971,
215:Motocross
141:St. Louis
128:Labor Day
58:Frequency
35:is being
463:Flo Rida
145:Missouri
134:Founding
120:Du Quoin
116:Illinois
61:Annually
39:. ›
28:template
884:WSIL-TV
349:, and
307:Seether
287:Tyketto
244:Chicago
71: (
856:KFVS12
832:. 2021
802:. 2021
449:, and
429:2020's
417:, and
411:P.O.D.
401:, and
381:, and
365:2010's
301:2000's
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283:Nelson
277:1990's
254:, and
122:. The
484:rodeo
357:and
347:Rehab
333:and
262:1980s
50:Genre
737:WSIU
546:The
325:and
309:and
293:and
207:USAC
205:and
203:ARCA
106:and
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73:1923
69:1923
415:Lit
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