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The Fine Arts Division at the fair
offers 66 separate classes as well as seven best-of-show awards.
Classes are divided according to medium (watercolors, woodworking),
subject matter (garden theme, Christmas) and age of artist. The
Photography Division comprises 21 classes divided between
black-and-white and color, with one best-of-show award. Lincoln
College sponsors all the best of show plaques.
Renee Sisk of rural Lincoln, who
supervises the Fine Arts Division, says she sets the classes based
on number of entries in recent years and other indications of local
interest. In 2001, for example, Sisk responded to requests by adding
a religious theme class in pen and ink.
Computer-enhanced photographs began to
appear at the fair several years ago, and a category for the genre
was added last year. New this year is a class called Spotlight on
Logan County.
[Photos by Lynn Shearer Spellman]
When Sisk began working at the fair 15
or more years ago, woodworking was big enough to warrant having a
separate judge. But since then, she recalled, some of the local
woodworkers are gone and fewer pieces are entered. Now there are
just four woodworking classes — woodcarving, wood turning, furniture
and small handmade objects.
Some fine arts entrants are students in
art classes in Lincoln and Mount Pulaski, so the availability of
classes is one predictor of interest. Sisk herself teaches painting
in her home to adults, and some of her students enter.
In 2002 there are 11 classes each for
oil and acrylic paintings and for ceramics but only one class for
watercolors. However, Sisk says the number of people who paint
ceramics is dwindling, so for next year she may cut back there and
add another watercolor class. "It’s kind of a guessing game from
year to year," she admitted.
Total prize money is fixed — $1,436 for
fine arts, $567 for photography — so some categories must diminish
when others increase. Prizes in fine arts classes vary, with the top
in adult classes set at $12 for artwork and for crafts but $10 for
ceramics. In classes for young people first prize is $6-8. All ages
enter the same photography classes, and the top prize for each is
$8.
[Fine
arts superintendent Renee Sisk accepts an entry from Harold Brock.]
Any amateur can enter an original work
of art completed in the last two years as long as it did not win
last year. "Competition is open to the world," according to the 2002
Logan County Fair book. In practice, however, most entrants live in
Logan County.
Some artists exhibit for many years.
"It’s neat seeing improvement in artists who come back year after
year," Sisk said.
One of her favorites, Wanda Gardner,
showed paintings every year until her death two years ago. "She was
self-taught, spontaneous, very creative," Sisk said. She praised
Gardner’s expressiveness and likened her style to that of
20th-century French surrealist Marc Chagall.
Each work sports an exhibitor’s tag,
and sometimes fairgoers contact the artists to make purchases. All
works, however, remain on exhibit until 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Fine Arts Division classes for young
people are separated by age — 13-17, 10-12, 7-9 and under 7. Sisk,
who is art specialist for Lincoln Elementary District 27, enjoys
seeing the progress of current and former students. She also
expressed pleasure at the increasing number of high-school entries.
"It’s neat to see parents encouraging their students," she added.
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this article]
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The fine arts competition has seen many
different judges over the years, though Sisk likes to keep a good
judge for several years. She chooses from college professors,
practicing artists and others who work in the field. This year there
is one judge for ceramics and another for all other fine arts
classes. These include oil and acrylic paintings, watercolors,
pastels, pencil, pen and ink, woodworking, weaving, and stained
glass. Children’s classes include acrylics or oils, crayon, chalk,
markers, model kits, and sculpture.
Entries closed July 19 and are now
recorded by computer. Still, division superintendents did not know
until entries arrived on Monday just how many there were in each
class. The reason is that one entry fee of $6 ($2 for children under
9) covers any number of entries. So an exhibitor can take a tag for
every class and decide later which ones to enter.
All paintings and drawings must be
framed, wired and ready to hang. Sisk said that in her first years
working with the division she was at the fairgrounds until midnight
hanging the show. This year entries must be submitted by 3 p.m.,
enabling her to finish earlier. She begins hanging as soon as works
are checked in, but allocating space is complicated by not knowing
the number and sizes of entries ahead of time.
For about 10 years Jo Ellen Maske of
Mount Pulaski has supervised the Photography Division. It offers
classes in nine subject areas: abstract or still life, animals,
architectural or historical places, floral, water, scenery, sunset,
people, and human interest. In addition, there are two classes for
computer-modified or enhanced prints and one focusing on Logan
County subjects. Steak-N-Shake sponsors eight of the classes.
Photos must
be between 8-by-10 and 8-by-12 inches and mounted on a board no
larger than 11-by-14 inches. Formerly, entries also had to be
framed, but this year there are new racks to display the matted
photographs. They could be delivered up to 6 p.m. Monday. No photo
can be entered in more than one class.
[Lynn
Shearer Spellman]
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Tuesday, July 30
Carnival Bargain Night
6 - 11 p.m.
All rides take one ticket
16 for $15 or $1 each
Wednesday, July 31
Carnival opens 6 p.m.
Thursday, August 1
Ride-A-Thon Night
6 - 11 p.m.
Friday, August 2
Carnival opens 6 p.m.
Saturday, August 3
Kids Bargain Afternoon
1 - 5 p.m.
Rides continue at regular prices after 5
p.m.
Sunday, August 4
Family Day
Carnival opens at 1 p.m.
All rides take one ticket
http://www.luehrs.com |
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Entrance fees are the
same as usual $2 for adults, children 12 and under go free. Or, you
can buy a season ticket at the gate for just $7! And if you want to
save some steps, seasonal parking is available for just $3.
Luehrs’ Ideal Rides
will grace the skyline and provide hours of fun for kids of all
ages. During the week, the carnival opens at 6 p.m., but on Saturday
and Sunday they’re open from 1 p.m. If it’s the rides you like, be
sure to visit Tuesday and Sunday, because that’s when all rides are
one ticket each (tickets cost $1 each or 16 for $15). You can visit
their website for ticket coupons:
http://www.luehrs.com.
Other standard
attractions this year include the agriculture, livestock and art
shows, children’s scrambles and the annual talent show. Harness
racing will occur each afternoon Thursday through Sunday. Judging
will occur throughout the week. Click here for a full
schedule of events.
The grandstand will
be rocking most of the week. Most grandstand events will require an
extra fee, but there are two free events: the 4-H Horse Show on
Tuesday morning and the Open Horse Show on Wednesday morning. For
all other events, you can reserve seats ahead of time for a slightly
higher fee. Children under six are admitted to general admission
free with an adult, except for Sunday evening.
One special feature
this year will be the grandstand bonus and added season-ticket
awards, sponsored by CEFCU. Each night, except for Sunday, everyone
entering the grandstand will be given a ticket for a $100 drawing.
You must be present in the grandstand to win. On Sunday, the $100
prize will be given to a season ticket or exhibitor ticket holder.
To enter, put your name and phone number on the back of your ticket
and drop it off on Sunday. You do not have to be present to win this
drawing.
So what’s going on when?
The fair will kick
off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning at 9. Judging
will continue all day. At 7:15 p.m., the Interveteran Council will
host the official opening ceremony, followed immediately by the fair
queen pageant. Ten girls from all over the county will compete in a
quest for the crown. The chosen Miss Logan County Fair will serve as
hostess for the fair. She will present trophies and ribbons and
assist in other activities throughout the fair. If you see her, you
will know her by her attire: a dress, crown and sash. She will also
represent Logan County for the next year at many events around the
state, including the Miss Illinois County Fair pageant next January.
[Click here for contestants.]
Just before the queen
pageant, in addition to the grandstand bonus, there will be another
drawing. P&M Communications will be giving away a direct TV
satellite system. Once again, you have to be there to win.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Wednesday’s main
attraction is the talent contest, sponsored by Kroger. Logan
County’s finest will gather to show off their skills in dancing,
singing and banjo picking for your entertainment and a chance at
cash prizes. The talent contest will take place at 7:30 p.m. Those
wishing to enter should contact Cindy Howard.
Thursday afternoon
will bring the Flying Feet Cloggers. They will perform in front of
the Special Events Building at 5 p.m. The tractor pull contest,
sponsored by Sheley’s Repair and FS Service, will be at 6:30 p.m. in
the grandstand. There will be five classes, all ITPA-sanctioned.
Friday is Senior
Citizens Day and 4-H Night. Seniors get in to the fair and to the
afternoon harness racing in the grandstand absolutely free. Logan
County Bank and The Oasis will be sponsoring other activities in the
Special Events Building starting at 3 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., the 4-H
children’s scrambles will be in the grandstand. Sixteen children age
5 or 6 will chase chickens around the field, trying to catch the
flapping creatures to win a prize. Children ages 7 through 9 will
scramble for a kid goat, and 4-H’ers ages 9 through 14 will fumble
after pigs. Youth ages 12 through 17 will compete in the calf
scramble. Those who catch goats, pigs or calves will then become the
owners of those animals.
Saturday is Kids Day.
The day will begin with a chili cook-off and 3-on-3 basketball. At 1
p.m., there will be children’s events in the Special Events
Building, harness racing in the grandstand, and Luehrs’ rides begins
their bargain afternoon for kids (which continues until 5 p.m.). The
winning smile contest will be in the special events building at 4
p.m. The evening will finish out with a country music concert by
16-year-old Wade Dooley.
[Wade Dooley]
Sunday is the final
day of the fair. It is also Family Day. Luehrs’ rides will cost only
one ticket each. The Logan County Cake Classic auction will be at 5
p.m. in the Special Events Building. Proceeds from the auction will
go to the Logan County 4-H. The fair will end with a closing
ceremony hosted by the Interveteran Council and a demolition derby
sponsored by Webb Promotions (6 p.m. in the grandstand).
So come out and see what the fair has to
offer you, and don’t forget to schedule for next year’s fair, July
29-Aug. 3, 2003.
[Gina
Sennett] |
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Logan County Fair
July 30 - Aug. 4
*Denotes time of judging
 Tuesday, July 30
Queen pageant night
Bargain night
All rides take one ticket; 16 tickets
for $15 or $1 each
7:30 a.m. — 4-H and Department H
Rabbits
8 a.m. — 4-H and Department H Poultry
8:30 a.m. — Young farmer kiddie
tractor pull, moved to front of Republican tent.
*8 a.m. — Textiles (closed judging)
9 a.m. — Ribbon-cutting ceremony at
front gate
9 a.m. — Department M Fine Arts
(closed judging)
9 a.m. — Department M Photography
(closed judging)
9 a.m. — Department J Agriculture
Products (closed judging)
9 a.m. — 4-H and Department H Horse
and Pony Show
11 a.m. — Department L Floricultural,
except glads and potted plants (closed judging)
1 p.m. — 4-H Cats and 4-H and
Department H Junior Goats
7:15 p.m. — Opening ceremony with
Interveteran Council
7:30 p.m. — 2002 queen pageant
Wednesday, July 31
 Talent contest
8 a.m. — 4-H Swine
8 a.m. — 4-H, Department H and
Department B Dairy
8 a.m. — Department H and Department B
Milking Shorthorns
9 a.m. — Open Horse Show
9 a.m. — Textiles (closed judging)
10 a.m. — Department O Culinary,
except cakes and candies (open judging)
3 p.m. — Department M Style Show, in
Special Events Building
6 p.m. — Luehrs ’
Ideal Rides open
7:30 p.m. — Talent contest
Thursday, Aug. 1
Tractor pull contest
 *8 a.m. —
4-H Beef; 4-H and Department H Junior Sheep
1:30 p.m. — Harness
racing
4 p.m. —
Round robin livestock showmanship
5-6 p.m. — Flying
Feet Cloggers, in front of Special Events Building.
6 p.m. —
Luehrs’ Ideal Rides open: "Ride-A-Thon" 6 p.m. to closing; $12 to
ride all evening (weather permitting)
6:30 p.m. — Tractor pull contest, sponsored
by Sheley’s Repair and Sheley’s FS Service
Friday,
Aug. 2
Senior Citizens Day and 4-H Night
 * 8 a.m.
— Department F Sheep
* 8 a.m.
— Department G Swine
*10 a.m.
— Department O Cakes and Candies (open judging)
*11 a.m.
— Department L Potted Plants and Glads (closed judging)
11 a.m.
— 4-H livestock and article consignment deadline
1:30 p.m.
— Harness racing
2-4 p.m.
— Pick up 4-H premium checks at 4-H office at north end of
fairgrounds
3 p.m. —
Senior citizens entertainment in Special Events Building, sponsored
by Logan County Bank with The Oasis
6 p.m.
— Luehrs’ Ideal Rides open
7 p.m.
— Pig and calf scramble meeting
7:30 p.m. — Children’s chicken and goat
scrambles; pig scramble, ages 9-15 as of Aug. 4; calf scramble, ages
12-17 as of Aug. 4
Saturday, Aug. 3
Kids Day — bargain afternoon, 1-5
Country music show — Wade Dooley
 * 8 a.m. — Chili
cook-off
* 8 a.m. —
Department A Open Beef
* 8 a.m. —
Department H Junior Beef
8 a.m. —
3-on-3-basketball
1 p.m. —
Kids day, south end of fairgrounds, Special Events Building
1 p.m. — Harness
racing
1 p.m. —
Luehrs’ Ideal Rides open
4 p.m. — Winning
smile contest, Special Events Building
7 p.m. — Country music show: Wade
Dooley
Sunday, Aug. 4
Family Day — discount rides
 All carnival rides take one ticket per
ride. (Good for tickets purchased Sunday only.)
Noon — Logan County
Cake Classic
1 p.m. — Luehrs ’
Ideal Rides open
1 p.m. — Harness
racing; Downstate Classic for 2-year-olds
2 p.m. — 4-H livestock
auction in show ring at north end of fairgrounds
3 p.m. — Pick up
premium checks for open classes at secretary ’s
office
4 p.m. — Exhibits
released for pickup
5 p.m. — All 4-H
exhibits must be removed
5 p.m. — Logan County Cake Classic
auction, Special Events Building
6 p.m. — Closing ceremony,
Interveteran Council
6 p.m. — Demo derby, Webb Promotions, T.N.G.,
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