Junior high schools invited to compete in the Illinois State Fair cheerleading contest         

Special events competition to be at the grandstand this year

[MAY 12, 2005]  SPRINGFIELD -- Junior high school cheerleading squads will have an opportunity this summer to vie for an Illinois State Fair championship on the fairgrounds' grandest stage.

The fair announced Tuesday that it has added junior high school divisions to its cheerleading contest and will move the entire pompon and cheerleading competition from the special events tent to the grandstand.

"The cheerleading and pompon competition is among our most popular special events, and moving it to the grandstand should only enhance the competition's prestige," said Amy Bliefnick, state fair manager. "What squad wouldn't get a thrill out of performing on the same stage as their favorite singer or band?"

The junior high school cheerleading competition will be on Aug. 14 beginning at 9 a.m. Squads will be divided into two groups according to size. One division will feature teams with 12 or fewer members; teams with 13 or more members will compete in the other division.

The state fair is now accepting entries. The deadline to sign up is Aug. 1. Premiums will be paid to the top three finishers in each division.

For more information about special events competitions at the 2005 Illinois State Fair, either call the Illinois State Fair Office at [phone] or visit www.illinoisstatefair.info on the Internet.

The 2005 Illinois State Fair will be Aug. 12–21 in Springfield.

[Illinois State Fair news release]

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