The time-honored tradition of the Heart of Illinois Fair is happening this week. The Fair officially opened up for business at Expo Gardens yesterday and it’s running until Saturday night. Last Monday there was a pre-party for the Fair and I was there! So of course I took photos and you can see a preview of this year’s Heart of Illinois Fair by scrolling on down!
Here we are at Expo Gardens, the home of the Heart of Illinois Fair. This year is the 69th year of the fair! The party is in the Beer Garden and check out the signage: Redd’s, Redd’s, Redd’s, Miller LIte, Miller LIte, Miller Lite. This can only lead to one thing...
Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!
Okay, let’s go inside, I was welcomed in by fair board member, Charlie Kennel. There was a nice crowd there and I naturally drifted over to the beer stand and this friendly fellow served me up a beer. Then I stood there for a few seconds staring at the crowd and pondering life. Then it was time to keep moving along.
Here’s the person responsible for my invitation to the party, fair board member and my friend, Roxy Baker! Check out the stylin’ hair-do she’s got going on, very cool! In addition to helping run operations here at the fair every year, Roxy is the co-host of The CT Morning Blend on WWCT, so you should tune in and listen to her and Noah as they broadcast live fun and music every weekday morning!
This is Nicole Kirley and Mike Rea from AMP radio group. AMP will be broadcasting live from the fair, check out the details at their website.
I ran into Greg Haney who posed with Kristi Smith who is this year’s Swine Superintendent. Is that why she’s with Greg? Enquiring minds want to know and I’ll try to find out on my visit to the fair this Saturday!
Roxy gave a nice introduction as to what’s coming up this year at the fair and then Rob Murphy, the president of the HOI Fair, said a few words as did Les Leach. And then...
It was time to eat! Weaver Ridge catered the evening’s meal and it was delicious. There was fried chicken, pasta, rolls, mac and cheese and more, more much! I saw my two friends from the 4th of July in line and Matt and Michelle were enjoying the tasty dinner at this table.
Suddenly...cupcakes!
They were still setting up the midway section of the fair and here’s some preview shots from last Monday.
As night started to fall on the fairgrounds, there was just two things left to do...
Take two pictures of Bobby Spears! That’s him with Greg and below that he’s with Phillip Salzer who’s been a fair board member longer than anyone else!
The Heart of Illinois Fair is in full swing from today until Saturday night. There’s classic fair food, drinks, cotton candy, rides, games, motorsports, live music every night in the beer garden and lots of free shows and events. Check it all out at their website and you can see updates on happenings at the fair from their facecrack page.
Related Posts: Heart of Illinois Fair 2014, Saturday Night @ The Heart of Illinois Fair and “E” Is For Expo Gardens.