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'Bake for the Cure' a first-time event at the 2007 Illinois State Fair       Send a link to a friend

Lincoln women take top prizes

[August 16, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- Fleischmann's Yeast has been sponsoring baking contests at the Illinois State Fair since 1994, with different themes every year. This year, the theme was "Bake for the Cure." Each contestant was required to include the theme into their dish to help raise breast cancer awareness. Contestants also were required to use Fleischmann's Yeast in their recipe. The contest was divided into two different categories: dish goods and regular baked goods.

For every entry in the contest, Fleischmann's Yeast donated $10 toward breast cancer awareness programs.

The first-prize winners from both categories received $150 and move on to the national competition. Second place was awarded $75, and third received $50.

This year's winner for the one-dish baked goods was a chili cheese and tomato bread made by Darlene Crider from Lincoln.

This year's winners for the regular baked goods were as follows:

1. Marmalade Rolls -- Carlene Carter, Lincoln

2. Olive lover's loaf -- Darlene Crider, Lincoln

3. Breast cancer awareness tea ring -- Ginnie Reynolds, Cisco

Prospective college students had a chance Wednesday to find out what makes community colleges right for them in Campus Town at the 2007 Illinois State Fair. On hand to promote their institutions were Parkland College, Champaign; Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield; Springfield College in Illinois; Kaskaskia College; and Spoon River Community College, Canton. Campus Town hosts various colleges from across Illinois throughout the week. The building, located across from Food-A-Rama, gives colleges and universities a chance to meet prospective students and show them what programs they have to offer. Participating schools range from large institutions like Southern Illinois University and the University of Illinois to small ones like Illinois College in Jacksonville.

Dr. Charlotte Warren, president of Lincoln Land Community College, said Campus Town is a beneficial venue for community colleges to spread the word that they have more to offer than people may realize.

"It's a great opportunity for people to learn about community colleges, find out about the courses we offer, get advising help and possibly get enrolled," Warren said.

"People don't know we have a lot of programs," she said. "We have youth programs, GED programs, programs with transferable credits, lifelong learning. We have a wide variety that meets the needs of pretty much everyone."

Among the exhibits were booths with information on participating schools, the Illinois State Community College booth, with information on the community college system, and a booth on Bright Start, the treasurer's college savings program.

The vast amount of information is beneficial to future students, according to SCI student Tommy Cory.

"It's good for them to come out and talk to students entering college," Cory said. "It lets them come out and see the schools they may want to attend next year."

The weekend weather forecast indicates a relief from the heat, with temperatures dropping into the '70s and '80s. Fairgoers are reminded that tickets are still available for all three Grandstand acts this weekend. Martina McBride and Carolyn Dawn Johnson will perform Friday; Joe Walsh will take the stage Saturday; and Sunday, the final day of the 2007 Illinois State Fair, Sugarland and Joe Nichols will perform. All three concerts are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

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Tickets are available at the Grandstand and through Ticketmaster. Grandstand hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets can also be ordered online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-827-8927.

For more information, please call the ticket office at 217-782-1979.

Campus Town: Eureka College, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Eureka College will display their proud heritage during their stop at this year's Campus Town. Many booths and exhibits will be on hand illustrating the rich tradition of the institution. The main attraction is a display and a movie based around Eureka's most famous alumnus, Ronald Reagan. School officials will be on hand to provide prospective students with any information they need regarding admission to Eureka College.

Hometown Pride: Jacksonville, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

There's more than meets the eye when it comes to Jacksonville, and during their stay at the Hometown Pride area, the city plans to show everyone just how much more. Both local colleges, MacMurray and Illinois College, along with the Jacksonville Journal-Courier, members of the economic development cooperative, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and the Jacksonville Visitors Bureau, will all be on hand to promote their fine city. The Dulcimer Kids will take the stage to entertain visitors. Alongside these exhibits, Passant Hospital will have a video on the importance of hand-washing on health, and Elm City will have a presentation on all the unique jobs they do, from using shrink wrap to creating recycled garbage bags to repackaging CDs. Jacksonville will also promote their new Play For All Park, which includes a small water area for kids to splash and play, as well as a picnic pavilion, all of which are handicapped-accessible. The Daughters of the American Revolution will also have information on the historical significance of their wonderful city.

Welcome to the Jungle (Happy Hollow): Build-A-Bear Workshop on Tour, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

The Build-A-Bear Workshop is returning to the fair by popular demand. Teddy bears often represent childhood, friendship, trust, comfort and love, and the Build-A-Bear Workshop exemplifies these through the bears they help people make. The workshops include a variety of ways to make your own furry friend, including personalizing the fur, the face features and plenty of accessories.

Hobbies, Arts & Crafts Building: Growing and preparing salsa demonstration, noon-2 p.m. This event aims to show the audience ways to grow all the items in salsa and how to prepare the tasty dipping sauce, and also focuses on how to safely store homemade salsa so that it remains tasty and healthy to eat. Safety in the preparation of salsa is also an important aspect, and will be covered in detail. Come out and learn about the wonderful world of homemade salsa at the 2007 Illinois State Fair!

[Text from Illinois State Fair news release received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]

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