With the start of the Du Quoin State Fair just 100 days away, Ag Director Raymond Poe and State Fair Manager Luke Sailer are unveiling some exciting changes for the annual end-of-summer extravaganza.
New this year, admission and parking fees will be waived on the opening night of the Du Quoin State Fair, which is Friday, August 24th. Fair officials encourage all of southern Illinois to check out the sights, sounds, and delicious concoctions that you can only find at the Du Quoin State Fair. While the fair does not officially get underway until 5pm when the ribbon cutting takes place, one and all are welcome to come and check out the grounds and get a lay of the land. It’s also the great opportunity to pick out the perfect spot to view the annual Twilight Parade.
Big changes are also coming to the Twilight Parade. New this year, the parade will be self-contained on fairgrounds property. The staging area for the parade will take place on the half-mile track, just inside the Main Gate along Route 51. The parade will step off from the south end of Pacer Avenue and make its way to Midway Drive. From there the parade will travel east towards the Grandstand, turning north on Grandstand Avenue to Main Street where it will march west to Trotter Lane and come to an end once it again reaches the half-mile track.
“For as long as I can remember, Du Quoin residents prefer to view the parade from inside the fairgrounds,” said Assistant State Fair Manager Tibretta Reiman. “Fairgoers begin setting up their lawn chairs inside the fairgrounds as early as 9:00 a.m. to ensure they have the perfect viewing spot for this treasured evening tradition. By waiving the admission and parking fees on Friday night, we hope more and more people will come for the parade and stay for the State Fair experience.”
Following the parade, fairgoers will be treated to a FREE concert by rising county music star, Chris Cavanaugh. The Springfield, Missouri native has shared the stage with big names such as Jake Owen, Kip Moore, Eric Church, Justin Moore, and more. Critics describe his music as an upbeat showcase with the perfect mix of old-school Kenny Chesney and the guitar slaying styles of Keith Urban. The free concert on the Beer Tent stage begins at 6:00 p.m. with a yet to be announced opening-act. Chris Cavanaugh will take the stage at 8:30 p.m.
Those wishing to enter their school, organization, or entity in the Du Quoin State Fair Twilight Parade can apply starting June 1st. An application will be located on the Du Quoin State Fair website, www.duquoinstatefair.net. The application period ends on August 13th.
Planning is well underway for the 2018 Du Quoin State Fair. A dynamic grandstand line-up has been announced, with one additional concert announcement pending. As a reminder, tickets for all announced Grandstand concerts go on sale Saturday, May 19th via Ticketmaster. For those who wish to purchase their tickets in person, the Du Quoin Box Office will open on Monday, May 21st at 9:00 a.m.
The Du Quoin State Fair will once again feature the fan favorite USAC and ARCA auto racing series. The USAC Silver Crown Series will take place under the lights on Sunday, September 2nd; while the ARCA Series will run on Labor Day, Monday, September 3rd. Tickets for both races are currently on sale via Ticketmaster.com.
Another fairgoer favorite is the Du Quoin State Fair carnival. In 2017, the fair expanded its carnival footprint by adding additional rides just inside the new Tru-Bilt Walk-In Plaza off Bob Green Drive. The move proved to be well-received by fairgoers and will continue for the upcoming fair. Fairgoers wishing to purchase advance carnival armbands can do so at the Du Quoin State Fair box office starting Monday, May 21st. Fairgoers are encouraged to monitor the fair’s social media pages (Facebook/Twitter) for updates on additional locations to purchase the discount carnival armbands.
DuQuoin State Fair Grandstand Tickets Go On-Sale Saturday, May 19 via Ticketmaster.com
Saturday, August 25: Blackberry Smoke
Tier 3 – $17 / Tier 2 – $20 / Tier 1 – $23
Sunday, August 26: Cheap Trick
Tier 3 – $21 / Tier 2 – $24 / Tier 1 – $27
Monday, August 27: Dueling Pianos International
Free Show – General Admission Seating
Tuesday, August 28: Brothers Osborne
Tier 3 – $29 / Tier 2 – $32 / Tier 1 – $35
Wednesday, August 29: Twilight Harness Racing
Free Admission – General Admission Seating
Thursday, August 30: POP 2000 Tour featuring O-Town, Aaron Carter, Ryan Cabrera, Tyler Hilton
Tier 3 – $10 / Tier 2 – $10 / Tier 1 – $10
Friday, August 31: Gen-X Tour featuring Buckcherry, P.O.D., Lit, Alien Ant Farm
Tier 3 – $19 / Tier 2 – $22 / Tier 1 – $25
Sunday, September 2: USAC Silver Crown Series
Adults – $25 / Children (11 & Under) – $10
Monday, September 3: ARCA Racing Series
Adults – $25 / Children (11 & Under) – $10
In the coming weeks and months look for many more exciting announcements about the 2018 Du Quoin State Fair, including the final 2018 Grandstand concert announcements and many other fun fair events. Don’t miss any of the big announcements – connect with us via social media:
Du Quoin State Fair
August 24-September 3
www.duquoinstatefair.net
www.facebook.com/DuquoinStateFair
www.twitter.com/DQStateFair
