Activities Related to Illinois Bicentennial Planned at DuQuoin Fair

August 26, 2018, marks the day 200 years ago that Illinois adopted its state Constitution. Signature Bicentennial celebrations are planned across the state on Sunday, including at the Du Quoin State Fair.

This year’s Fair theme, “Celebrate Illinois: 200 Years of Amazing” is all about honoring the people, places, and things that are born, built, and grown in the state every day. Sunday, August 26th will be Bicentennial Day at the Du Quoin State Fair, as well as Veterans Day. Here’s a look at the special Bicentennial events:

• In May, the American Institute of Architects’ Illinois Council named the Du Quoin State Fair as one of Illinois’ “200 Great Places”. The Fair received a plaque from AIA that will be unveiled in front of the Grandstand on Bicentennial Day.
• The Illinois Office of Tourism is hosting a Bicentennial Birthday Celebration with free Eli’s Cheesecake (while supplies last) at 1:00 p.m. in the Heartland Coca-Cola Expo Hall.
• Members of the Hayes family, who founded the Du Quoin State Fair, will be on hand to recount “Du Quoin State Fair Memories” at 3:30 p.m. in the Southern Illinoisan Free Tent.
• A very special performance of a play written about the history of the State of Illinois will be performed in front of the Grandstand at 6:00 p.m.

New information is being added daily to the Du Quoin State Fair website at DuQuoinStateFair.net.

The 2018 Du Quoin State Fair runs August 24 – September 3.