The State of Illinois Department of Agriculture has named August 12th as Monticello Day for the daily Hometown Pride Event.  Hometown Pride, an event created in 2006, showcases a different community in Illinois each day, giving the community a chance to market their businesses and organizations to fairgoers.  Monticello is also the smallest community to be selected for this event thus far.

“I am excited to have Monticello as a new addition to our “Hometown Pride” venue at the Illinois State Fair,” stated Illinois State Fair Manager, Amy Bliefnick.  “This is a premier opportunity to show the entire state all of the great opportunities Monticello has in business, education and community activities.”

Representing Monticello will be members from the City of Monticello, Monticello Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, Monticello Railway Museum, Monticello Main Street, Monticello Arts Council, and service organizations including Kiwanis and Rotary.  Monticello Model Masters, the Piatt County Farm Bureau, Viobin, Kirby Hospital and Monticello Schools will also be present.  Information on the community and the above-mentioned organizations will be available, as well as Monticello-related giveaways.  These organizations will be present in a tent on the fairgrounds.

Monticello talents will also get the opportunity to perform on a stage at the fairgrounds throughout the day.  The stage will be filled with local entertainment venues ranging from martial arts demonstrations to bands.

The Hometown Pride site is located just inside Gate 2 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, and the event is open from 10:00am to 8:00pm.  More information on the Illinois State Fair can be found at www.IllinoisStateFair.org.  Watch for frequent updates on this event in the Piatt County Journal Republican and on www.MonticelloEnews.com.