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Features
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Part 2
Tractor pullin’ and a couple of visits
By Jeff Mayfield
[Click here for Part 1]
[AUG.
3, 2002]
After interviewing Alan
Tenhouse, who pits for his dad, Harold
Tenhouse, from the Quincy area, we met
a team that was in some "mini" division in tractors that looked like
they had car bodies. The first crew we hooked up with was from the
Decatur area. Their thoughts and comments follow:
[Click
here for tractor pull photos]
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Q: May I have your name, sir?
A: Greg Bandelow, and I’m from
Decatur, Ill.
Q: How many events will you be
attending this year?
A: About 30-plus. We used to be
up in the 50s. They’re cutting us down. Some of the fairs are
cutting back a little too. They’re spreading them out with different
events. Then you might come back to the same fair again after
skipping a year or two.
Q: How long have you been
involved with this?
A: Well, I’ve been pulling since
1983. I started in mini-rods, but when the mini-rods started going
downhill I either had to get out or move up to two-wheel drive. So,
I chose the two-wheel drive class, and I’ve been doing that ever
since. I even helped my uncle, and we started out in 1968. So, I’ve
been around it for quite a few years. I was pit crew for a couple of
decades and then became a driver in the ’80s.
Q: What’s the biggest thrill
being involved in pulling?
A: For me it’s the horsepower! I
mean, the alcohol, the fumes, the horsepower… When you’re out there
watching that guy pull before you … the ground-pounding shake … just
that awesome power that you get out of these motors. It’s not like
drag racing, going 300 miles an hour, but they say this is the
heaviest motor sport on wheels!
Q: Best memories you’ve had in
this sport would be…?
A: Well, I think the ultimate
goal is winning at the state fair, and I did that about four years
ago. To go and win in Springfield with all of those entrants, that
was really something special. Winning in your home town is always
tough. Like Darrell Ebbersten runnin’ tonight here in Lincoln/Logan
County… It’s always tough to win at home. It’s just kind of hard for
you to win your hometown fair. Like, I can pull in Decatur, and I’ve
always been the bridesmaid but I’ve never been the bride! I’ve
gotten a few seconds and thirds, but I’ve never won it.
Q: How do you rate the Logan
County Fair and the track conditions here?
A: Well, the track, being a
horse track, is not usually one of your better tracks. But with the
Hager sled that we have tonight it will make up for any bad track
that you have. If you have a good sled, you can have a good show. It
can let you run a little farther. With one of the older, heavier
sleds it can really bog you down. But with this one here, we can
fly.
Q: So, our local guys do a
pretty good job, then?
A: The track is set up pretty
good. Darrel is in charge of the track, and he does a great job
setting it up. He’s a puller; he’s just a great guy. He gets good
people to help him. Last year we got rained out, and he made it to
the point where we got paid because he knew that some people came a
long way — three or four hours or more. You know, that little money
you get — I think first prize is $500 or $600 — it doesn’t really
pay for what you’ve got in these motors, but every little bit helps.
Q: Who’s this kid with you?
A: This is my son, who is a
wanna-be driver right now. He’s 15, and the rule says you have to be
16 to drive ’em. I let him drive it a little bit here in the pits so
he can get some experience. Two years from now he’ll probably be
driving and I’ll be the pit crew!
Q: May we have a word with him?
(He was inside the vehicle. We had to
crawl over the chassis and duck under the body, which was raised to
do this portion of the interview; BUT, as always, the LDN will crawl
if it has to, to bring you loyal readers the real inside stories!)
A: Sure.
Q: What’s your name?
A: Jase
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Q: How do you like this sport?
A: I like it a lot. I like being
around it and feeling the power, the rumbling and feeling the ground
shake.
Q: How long have you been
helping your dad and hanging around this stuff?
A: My whole life.
Q: Were you ever scared or
afraid?
A: Since I’ve been around [it]
so long, I’ve never been scared of it. I’ve never really thought
about fearing it. I’m just used to it.
Q: Are you really anxious for
the day that you can put that helmet on and say now it’s my turn?
A: I really want to do it since
I’ve waited 14 and it’s going to be 15 years. I don’t know what will
happen when I go off to college, but this is something that I want
to do.
Q: Jase, do you do other sports
besides this?
A: I play basketball, soccer and
golf in Mount Zion, but when I go to college I want to go on to law
school.
Jeff: Well, Jase and Greg, it
was a pleasure meeting you both and good luck in the competition.
Editorial note: It must have
been a great night for the Bandelow family. According to the final
stats that were submitted to me by the fairgrounds, Greg Bandelow
took first place in the 6,200-pound two-wheel drive truck
classification last night. Congratulations, Greg!
Also, congrats to Lincoln’s own Clark
Oltmanns who captured first-place prize money in the 6,000-pound
super stock division!
And congrats to all the others who
placed Thursday night in arguably one of the most exciting events at
this year’s fair!
Other fair
happenings
Allan Anderson of Petersburg was on
hand with his booth showcasing the use of concrete. Anderson
Building Systems can build an entire home from concrete, and this
technology is being featured all over the country. Allan said that
the Logan County midway was as busy as or more busy than any other
fair in central Illinois, and he was very impressed with the people
of Lincoln and Logan County. He further stated that one sale would
not only make it worthwhile but would put icing on the cake.
He couldn’t get over the fairgrounds —
how well kept up they were, how friendly the people were and just
the crowds in general, especially considering the heat. Allan
intends to return to the fair and other Logan County events because
of the great reception he has received so far.
Welcome, Allan, and we’re glad that
you’ve had a good experience here. We hope you’ll be back often.
The LDN also spoke with Tom Peifer over
in the livestock area. Tom told us that he’s been showing hogs since
1959! I think he told me that he was only 8 years old at the time!
And others around the barns told me that he’s done quite well
through the years! He said his family has now been showing since the
kids were little but that this could be their last year.
Tom even reminded me that my good
friend and former area resident Matthew Rogers not only did well
locally, but that he once won the Illinois State Fair! I had
forgotten that, but now I remember it. Just like Tom to downplay his
successes and promote someone else’s.
Good luck to the Peifer family and to
all the contestants during this week’s judging!
The LDN tried to reach this year’s fair
queen, Amy Rohrer, to get some quotes about how she likes being
queen so far. We’re still playing phone tag. We think all of the
contestants were great. But we knew Amy from our days with the
Lincoln Railer basketball program and we haven’t met many people
that we like better than Amy. We’re sure that she will make a great
representative of Lincoln and Logan County. We think she’ll make us
all really proud!
Once again,
CONGRATULATIONS, Amy!
[Jeff
Mayfield]
[Click here for
tractor pull results]
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Part 1
Are you ready for
some…
tractor pullin’???
By Jeff Mayfield
[AUG. 2, 2002]
Some Logan County sports fans want a baseball pennant
race. Other fans are glad that NFL teams are now in camp and that
means that football is just around the corner. But on Thursday night
at the Logan County Fairgrounds, tractor pulling was the only
game in town. And if you think it is just relegated to local
residents, you’d be wrong about that too! I saw friends from
Springfield, Decatur, Bloomington, Taylorville and even a few from
Iowa.
[Click
here for tractor pull photos]
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While tractor pulling
is not NASCAR, IRL or CART, it certainly has a big following in its
own right. Judging by the size of the crowd, it’s not just the
drivers and tractor owners that take this stuff seriously. There was
a large crowd on hand, and they were really into the festivities.
My son and I took
advantage of one of the breaks to traipse across the track and get
into the infield. There we began to get an up-close look at some of
those powerful machines. We were also able to experience with the
drivers the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. The LDN was
able to crash the drivers’ tent and spoke to some of the
participants.
We first spoke with a
team that had major problems getting out of the gate and were
scratched.
And before I go ANY farther, I want to place this
disclaimer. I’m totally new to the tractor-pull industry. So, if I
goof up some of the jargon or lingo or miss some of the obvious
points of the show, please don’t shoot me, I’m just the informant…
This first interview
was conducted with Alan Tenhouse who pits for his dad, Harold
Tenhouse, and they live in the Quincy area:
Q: What do you
think happened out there tonight?
A: We think it
took our large turbo charger. The bearings went out of it… the seal
went out of it… oil coming out the exhaust.
Q: Coming into
tonight’s event I’m guessing that you had no idea that that would be
a problem, right?
A: No. No, we
pulled at Salem last Sunday night, and it ran fine when we loaded it
on the truck.
Q: Isn’t that
what makes tractor pulling so interesting — on any given night
anything can happen?
A: That’s
right. We never know.
Q: How many
events do you participate in every year?
A: Probably in
the neighborhood — because we live near the Missouri-Iowa line — of
20-25 a year.
Q: Judging by
the markings on your tractor you live either in or near Quincy?
A: Near
Quincy.
Q: So, is this
a father-son operation?
A: No. It’s
actually Dad’s tractor. I manage a farm equipment business in Mount
Sterling, Ill., and I just brought it over for him.
Q: Mount
Sterling?
A: Yes. It’s
not a big town, but there’s a lot of activity there.
Q: Is the fact
that you’re an equipment dealer the reason your dad is involved in
this?
A: No. He’s
pulled for over 40 years
Q: Something
he saw other people doing, or his family did it when he was growing
up? What got him involved?
A: He went to
a pull, got the fever for it, and he’s been at it ever since.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Q: Do you both
drive?
A: No. He does
all the driving, and he loves it just as much today as he did when
he first started doing it. He’s 76 years old and still at it.
Q: So, when
was his first year as a puller?
A: I think
1960 or 1961 was his first year.
Q: I would
imagine that it is pretty exhilarating being at that start block,
going full throttle and just letting it rip?
A: Right. It’s
about like any motor sport. It gets in your blood and it’s hard to
quit.
Q: What about
traveling around to the different cities, county and state fairs,
etc.? Is there a uniqueness that you see in each one; or when you do
20-25 do they all look alike?
A: Oh… every
track is different; the fairs are all a little bit different. Of
course, some pulls are a lot larger than others. This one has a
really nice fairgrounds and a nice track. The people here are great.
This is also a nice area and a good place to come and a good place
to have this.
Q: Other than
the thrill of competing and the awards, are there other tangible or
intangible benefits to this?
A: Not really.
We don’t have any sponsors like some guys do, which may make [it]
even more enjoyable to guys like us. Although I’m sure some of the
spectators would love to see some of the high-powered machinery that
is out there. But you know, those folks only go to certain pulls,
and they’re kind of the NASCAR of pulling.
Q: You said
your dad has driven since 1960. How long have you been associated
with pulling?
A: I can
remember going to the very first pull with him when I was
approximately 10 years old. It was in a small town right on the
Mississippi River.
Q: Everyone
we’ve talked to tonight can remember stuff like that. It must be a
guy thing like most of us can remember our first car!
How far through the
season are you right now?
A: We’re about
two-thirds of the way through it.
Q: What has
been the biggest thrill for your dad and you? What are the memorable
moments that stand out for you over the years?
A: Probably
right here on this track a year ago or at the Missouri state fair.
Q: What about
the prize money?
A: First is usually anywhere from
$300 to $500, and entry fees are only $10 to $20. They pay anywhere
through five to 10 places. I think here tonight at the Logan County
Fair they’re paying eight places. So, if we could’ve got up and
running at all tonight, we might have at least made our gas money
back. But, we always have a good time no matter what the outcome is.
[Jeff
Mayfield]
[Click
here for Part 2]
[Click here for
tractor pull results]
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Contest
brings talented
young people to fair
[AUG. 1, 2002]
Emcee John Howard said it: "I’m sure glad I’m not one of
the judges. They have their work cut out for them."
[Click
here for talent contest photos]
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Howard was watching
the 17 performances in the 2002 Logan County Fair talent competition
last night at the grandstand, glad he was just the master of
ceremonies and didn’t have to decide which of the talented
contestants would walk away with the prizes.
Top winner of the 12
contestants in the junior division was a third-grader from Mazon,
Lizzie Mladic, a little girl with a big voice and a lot of stage
presence. Lizzie had the audience clapping with her when she sang
her number, "Gotta Dance." Her mother said she has been singing
since age 3 and has entered many contests.
The top winner among
the five contestants in the senior division, Rebecca Ruben, is a
Lincoln College graduate who plans to major in music at Milliken
University this fall. She sang "Maybe This Time," with props
including a framed photograph and a rose in a vase. She said she
hadn’t expected to take first place, but there was no maybe about
her win this time.
Both Lizzie and
Rebecca won $100 and the chance to compete with other winners at the
Illinois State Fair.
Coming in second in
the junior division was Danielle Shryock with a vocal number,
"Hero." Second in the senior division, Heather Church, entertained
the audience with a clogging demonstration to the country tune
"Rocky Top." Both second-place winners took home $75.
Third place in the
junior division went to 6-year-old Savannah Conrady, wearing a red,
white and blue flag-theme costume and demonstrating her skill with a
hula hoop to the tune of "Wipe Out." She didn’t wipe out with the
audience or the judges, though.
Third in the senior
division was Angela Martin of New Holland. She sang a country music
medley ending with "I Want to be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart," but says
what she really wants to be is a country music singer. Third-place
winners got $50 prize money.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Shelby Kottemann,
wearing a blue pinafore and looking more than a little like Dorothy
in "The Wizard of Oz," sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to take
fourth place in the junior division. Shelby attends Central School
in Lincoln.
Michelle Kaesebier of
Mount Pulaski belted out "Independence Day" to take fourth place in
the senior division. Both winners took home $35.
Wearing the Union
blue uniform, Erich Maxheimer of Mount Pulaski played a fiddle tune
used by filmmaker Ken Burns in his series on the Civil War and won
fifth place in the junior division. Elizabeth Brown of Lincoln took
fifth in the senior division with her vocal rendition of "This is
Dedicated to the One I Love." Prizes for fifth place were $25.
Other entrants in the
junior division were 4-year-old Lexie Groves, whose father is an
Elvis impersonator. Lexie wore an Elvis-style white suit with fringe
and charmed the audience with her stage presence.
Fifth-grader Chrissy
Barrett sang “Rock This Country,” and Kayla Billington and
Katie Gosda, both 10 years old, danced to "I’m a Believer." Another
dancer was Justin Thompson, who is self-taught and made up his own
routine.
Emily Reiners, age
13, impressed the audience with her rendition of "That Don’t Impress
Me Much," and Kaylie Honkala, a seventh-grader, sang "No One Else on
Earth."
A threesome, the Oo
Oo girls, danced to "Get Up & Go." They were Shelby Johnston,
Bethany Ray and Hannah Ray, all Central School students. The girls
created their own acrobatic dance routine.
Entrants in the
junior division ranged from ages 3 to 14; senior division
contestants were ages 15 to 22. Contestants were rated on costumes,
audience appeal, stage presence, and raw talent and ability.
Singing the national anthem to open the
program were emcee John Howard and two sisters, Cindy Edwards,
director of the talent show, and Rochelle Johnson.
[Joan
Crabb]
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Miss Logan County Fair 2002 crowned
By Nicki (Knopp) Green
[JULY
31, 2002]
"We
know the fair queen!" squealed behind me! I just happened to be
sitting in the middle of the fan section for Miss Amy Rohrer, the
new 2002 Logan County Fair queen. As master of ceremonies Derek Long
announced Amy’s name, the entire section around me burst into cheers
and applause. What an exciting place to be sitting during the first
event on the first night of the Logan County Fair.
[Click
here for Logan
County Fair queen pictures]
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From the time the
ladies were driven into the grandstand in convertibles to the
announcement of our new queen, the beautiful and talented 10
contestants kept those in attendance attracted to the stage all
evening long.
As the ladies were
being introduced, pageant director Penny Kilhoffer told the
audience, "I’ll take any of them; they’re all a great bunch of
gals."
"If you could
personally witness one event in history, what would it be and why?"
Wow! Answer that in five seconds, wearing an evening gown and high
heels, with the faces of Logan County waiting with anticipation to
hear your answer!
That was the question
that was asked of all 10 contestants during the evening gown
competition. The responses varied from wanting to witness the
Beatles perform at Shea Stadium (Lisa Behle), receiving chuckles
from the audience, to responses of a more serious nature, such as
the event of Sept. 11, 2001.
New Miss Logan County
Fair Queen 2002 Amy Rohrer said the best thing about the pageant was
meeting the other contestants. As queen, Amy is most looking forward
to meeting the fair queens from counties around Illinois.
When I asked Amy if
there was anything else she wanted to tell me about her experience,
she replied, "No, I can’t believe it! I didn’t expect it…. And I’m
sweating!"
Amy’s friends crowded
around her with hugs and congratulations, wanting to know if they
get free fair food now!
Rohrer is a
20-year-old junior at Western Illinois University, majoring in
sports medicine with an emphasis on athletic training. Amy would
like to work for a professional sports team someday.
With tears in her
eyes, Amy’s mother, Deborah, said, "Can you believe it?"
Amy’s proud father,
Jim, said with a smile, "I did not like the swimsuit competition —
whether it’s my daughter or not!"
First runner-up was
Angela Balance, the 20-year-old daughter of Sam and Priscilla
Balance of Emden. Angela is a graduate of Hartsburg-Emden High
School and a junior at Eureka College, majoring in business
administration.
One of Angela’s
fondest memories was attending the Logan County Fair as a proud
9-year-old little girl in pink showing her 240-pound grand champion
barrow named Gus.
Second runner-up was
Kate Wrage, 19-year-old daughter of Kurt and Lisa Wrage of Emden.
Kate is a graduate of Hartsburg-Emden High School, a 2002 graduate
of Lincoln College and will be a junior at Millikin University this
fall, majoring in music education and vocal training.
Kate impressed the
audience with her one-minute prepared speech about her business,
Katie’s Berry Patch, of which she is the owner and operator.
Summer Johnson, a
19-year-old sophomore at Illinois State University, was voted Miss
Congeniality by her fellow competitors. After the pageant Summer she
said that she was "kind of hesitant coming into the fair queen
thing." [to top of second column in
this article]
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"I didn’t know what
to expect, but the girls were all awesome," she said. "It was such a
great experience! All I really wanted if I got anything at all was
to be Miss Congeniality!"
The 10 contestants
have been preparing for this night for weeks. The summer began with
the contestants visiting other county fair pageants around the
state. They have enjoyed "get acquainted" parties, three mandatory
rehearsals and private coaching from the pageant committee. The
ladies also had a personal interview with the judges before the
evening competition at the Lincoln Elks Club.
The breakdown of
categories that the judges were looking for is as follows: 35
percent personal interview, 20 percent stage presence during the
evening gown competition, 20 percent beauty of the face and physical
condition during the swimsuit competition, and 25 percent speech and
communication skills during the "fish bowl question" and the
one-minute prepared speech.
Pam Birdcell from
Chandlerville was one of the three judges for this year’s
competition. When asked how our pageant compares to other pageants
around the state, Birdcell stated that Logan County has a "wonderful
pageant." She went on to say that they were "a nice group of girls."
"They all interviewed
very well," she said. "They seemed to be very wholesome girls, which
was a nice change."
Miss Logan County
2002 Amy Rohrer will be responsible for awarding ribbons and
trophy’s throughout this year’s fair. She will represent Logan
County by competing in the state fair pageant in Springfield in
January, as well as attending other parades and festivals across the
state on behalf of Logan County.
Over $1,000 in
scholarship monies will be awarded to the 2002 queen. Her Majesty
and the first and second runner-up will receive hundreds of dollars
worth of gifts from various businesses and private families. All
contestants received a long-stem rose, pictures from the pageant and
an engraved Logan County Fair Queen Pageant charm.
The pageant crew was
made up of Rochelle Johnson, Amanda Kilhoffer, Michelle Kilhoffer,
Robin Levi, Georgia Nutt, Nina Westen, Brandy White and Valarie
White. Penny Kilhoffer has been the pageant director for the past 10
years and said she could not put on the pageant without such a great
support from her crew.
On a personal note, I
have known our new Miss Logan County, Amy Rohrer, for several years
now through my sister, Katie. Amy and Katie have been good friends,
and I have enjoyed watching them cheer together in high school and
continue to get together for reunions when home from college.
Congratulations, Amy! We’re all proud of
you!
[Nicki (Knopp) Green] |
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Fair’s attractions include
paintings and other fine arts
[JULY
30, 2002]
An
art gallery is one place to view paintings, ceramics and
photographs. Another is the Logan County Fair.
[Click here for photos]
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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.
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.
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.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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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.
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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Cake Classic demonstration
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[JULY
30, 2002]
Marge
Knowles, "The Cake Lady," will be demonstrating her cake decorating
skills at the Logan County Cake Classic. She will demonstrate how to
properly ready a cake for decorating, share decorating tips and
answer questions at 1:30 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4.
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Mrs. Knowles
will donate her finished cake to the Cake Classic, and
it will be auctioned with the other cakes at 5 p.m. Proceeds will go
to the 4-H program in Logan County. |
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Meet me at
the fair
[JULY
29, 2002]
You
don’t have to go all the way to St. Louis for a great fair this
year. We’re having one right here in Logan County. With rides, shows
and even the ever-popular tractor pulls, what more could you ask
for?
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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.
[Click here for a
picture of 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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