2008 state fair: 'A Family Tradition'

Theme and contest inspired by 1950s Burma Shave campaign

[May 08, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and Illinois State Fair Manager Amy Bliefnick announced that the theme for the 2008 Illinois State Fair will be "A Family Tradition." As part of this year's state fair, the governor and Bliefnick launched a contest that was modeled after Burma Shave's well-known 1950s advertising campaign. Children statewide were encouraged to submit five-line rhymes that reflect the theme. Winners were announced May 1 and will be featured on state fair promotional materials and signs.

"This year's theme for the Illinois State Fair truly reflects what the 10-day event is for so many families across our state: a tradition -- as traditional as those Burma Shave billboards that dotted our landscape in the '50s," said Blagojevich in making the announcement earlier this spring. "That's why we're modeling our theme after the Burma Shave advertising campaign and inviting children to participate in our efforts. We're bringing generations together in celebration of this year's Illinois State Fair."

A brand of brushless shaving cream, Burma Shave was made famous by catchy rhymes on small highway billboards across the U.S. (For examples of Burma Shave signs, Google search "Burma Shave slogan" or visit http://www.fiftiesweb.com/burma1.htm.)

"Whether or not you are old enough to remember the Burma Shave signs along Illinois highways, we think this is a great way to get people of all ages involved in promoting what is one of the biggest family events in the state -- and they can have a little fun at the same time," Bliefnick suggested. "Slogans like "Let's make a / Trip there to / The Illinois State Fair / Where food and fun / Await everyone / Illinois State Fair August 8-17" -- with a family-themed flavor -- are what we're looking for. This really fits well with our family tradition theme and, we hope, gives teachers statewide an opportunity to get their children involved in writing."

Entries were accepted by mail and online from the general public through April 11, Bliefnick noted, but the committee choosing the winners set aside several series of sign slogans submitted by children in grades K-8. Each entry was required to consist of five lines of text with up to four words maximum on each line. A sixth line -- "Illinois State Fair August 8-17" -- is added to the end of each rhyme.

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Contest winners:
http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/press/p0805012.html

Illinois State Fair information:
www.illinoisstatefair.info

[Text from file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]

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