New dates, same location for Illinois Products Expo

Plans announced for 10th annual 'Food and Cooking Extravaganza'

[May 28, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department of Agriculture has announced new dates for the Illinois Products Expo. The 10th annual "Food and Cooking Extravaganza" will be June 21-22 in the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

"Companies that had planned to participate in March are telling us that they'd still like to hold the show," said Larry Aldag, marketing representative. "The Illinois Products Expo has been very well received by both vendors and the general public the past nine years, and we're looking forward to another successful event this year."

The expo, which typically attracts more than 5,000 people, features free samples of food from Illinois companies. Offerings range from meat products and candy to gourmet seasonings and sauces, homemade jams and jellies. Products from state wineries and agribusinesses also are available.

To date, 35 food companies, two nonfood companies and 13 Illinois wineries have committed to participate on the new dates. The department has contacted other potential participants as well and is still awaiting responses.

The show is traditionally the first weekend in March but had to be postponed this year because of an electrical problem on the fairgrounds. Work to replace the transmission lines that caused the problem is progressing on schedule and should be completed by May 16.

The hours for the Illinois Products Expo will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 21 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 22.

Admission is $3. Children 10 and younger will be admitted free of charge.

To learn more about the participating companies and the products being sampled and sold, visit www.agr.state.il.us and click on "Illinois Products Expo."

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