The roar of a modified tractor breaks through the night, flames shooting up from the chrome exhaust pipes, the wheels kicking up the dust as it takes off town the track. The crowd cheers as the announcer proclaims “Full Pull!!”
The Illinois State Fair will be hosting the ITPA truck and tractor pulls on Tuesday, August 12th, from 7:30 until 10:30pm in the Arena. But visitors don’t have to wait until the end of the day to find something to do at the state fair, in fact, most fair events open up at 9:00am. With a variety of competitions and shows, not to mention the carnival rides, displays, and endless amounts of fried fare, the Illinois State Fair offers a variety of entertainment and activities for everyone.
Have you ever seen the open beef, goat, swine or sheep shows, harness racing or the Governor’s Sale of Champions? Maybe you have a special knack for auctioneer bid calling, or have the cutest little farmer- enter the contests to win state titles! Dance solo and group contests, a chocolate cooing contest, kiddies’ tractor pull and 4-H judging are just some of the many events going on during this day.
Daily scheduled events include but are certainly not limited to the ever-popular, always-expanding Conservation World, “Welcome to the Jungle” at Happy Hollow, Illinois’ Salute to Agriculture in the Heartland (also the location of “Monticello Day,”) and CampusTown building (University of Illinois Day, August 12th). For a complete listing of Illinois State Fair events, visit www.illinoisstatefair.org.
Illinois State Fair admission is $3 for adults 13 and older, $2 for seniors 60+, and children under 12 are free. Parking is $7 per vehicle, but visitors are encouraged to take the bus from Monticello.
“Monticello Day” at the Illinois State Fair is a part of the Hometown Pride event in which a different community gets the opportunity to spotlight their assets to state fairgoers. From the hours of 10:00am until 8:00pm, Monticello organizations will be presenting themselves to fairgoers, complete with information and freebies. Stop by the tent and register to win one of 4 giveaway packages! Monticello entertainment will fill the stage adjacent to the tent from the hours of 11:00am until 8:00pm. Residents are invited and encouraged to “take the bus for 16 bucks” to the fair. The bus will depart from the Municipal Building at 10:00am and return at 5:00pm. Registration in advance is required and can be done by calling 762.2583 or stopping by the Municipal Building, 210 N. Hamilton. Space is limited so register early!
For more information on this event, visit www.monticelloEnews.com or contact Callie Jo McFarland at 762.2583.
