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Illinois State Fair begins, queen highlights ag education opportunities

The official hostess of the 2023 Illinois State Fair says she will spend the next 10 days balancing a crown on her head and a cattle halter in her hand.

Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Paige Van Dyke of Louisville tells Brownfield she and her fellow livestock exhibitors have been on the grounds since Tuesday, but the fair officially kicks off today (Thursday).

“Not only is it the grand opening and the ribbon cutting, but we also have County Fair Day activities and then I will go and exhibit my heifer. So it’s a jam packed day, but it’s going to be really fun.”

Van Dyke says she attended her first Illinois State Fair at 7 months old and hasn’t missed one since, but this year is special in two ways as she serves as hostess to the fair while exhibiting livestock for the final year as a junior member.

“My goal for this year is to just enjoy every moment, but more importantly, to see where the two worlds combine. Enjoy my last shows as a junior exhibitor, but also be a light for everyone as I walk around the fairgrounds just to express my love and my passion for the agriculture and livestock industry.”

She says some changes and additions to the Illinois State Fair program should offer the public more diverse opportunities to learn about agriculture. Van Dyke encourages fairgoers to attend daily ag tours through the barns and commodity tents moderated by 4-H and FFA members.

“Ag Tours are consistently going on throughout the fair starting at the Department of Ag Tent and ending at the FFA barnyard.”

Van Dyke says Agriculture Day was moved earlier this year (Friday, August 11th) to coincide with events highlighting youth in agriculture.

“All of the livestock will still be on the grounds and shows will still be happening. You can also go and see all of the 4-H projects in the Orr building. So, you can get out and talk to exhibitors and can see all the hard work they’ve done throughout the summer.”

She says they have also added “Sunflowers Hours” at the fair on Saturday, August 12^th from 9am to 12pm to accommodate anyone with high sensory disorders.

“At that time everywhere around the Illinois State Fair, our sound systems are going to be turned down, lights are going to be turned off, noises are going to be minimized so that it can be better adaptable for them so they can come out and enjoy the Illinois State fair and everything it has to offer.”

The 2023 Illinois State Fair runs August 10-20^th in Springfield encompassing the theme of “Harvest the Fun.”

Audio: Interview with Paige Van Dyke