Kari goes to the Illinois State Fair

Oh. My. Gosh.  That is the only way I can describe my recent trip to the Illinois State Fair and I wasn’t even there while the fair was going on!  Tom Steever and I were on the fairgrounds for the 2008 Master Showmanship Contest on August 6-7. We were able to get a behind the scenes look at the fair since we were there the day before the opening ceremony.  During our first day on the fairgrounds, Tom was able to interview Dale Edwards, Jr. Swine Superintendent before we took part in the Master Showmanship Contest.  We were able to speak with the Jr. Champion Charolais Heifer winner and Jr. Livestock Superintendent Brian Sager on our second day.  Barb Adams, the Goat Superintendent, was nice enough to let us interview her about the increase of goat entries and then gave us the VIP tour of the fairgrounds in her golf cart on our way to meet up with Marla Behrends. Marla, the Industry Relations Manager for the Midwest Dairy Association, gave us a sneak peek of the Butter Cow in the Dairy Building since we had to leave before the 1:00 p.m. unveiling.  Words can’t really describe how amazing this thing looks! There are so many little details such as a family of skunks, a butterfly, birds, squirrels, acorns, and even a little snake.  I am telling you, this is a butter sculpture is something you have to see to believe. Tom and I even received a first hand demonstration on judging dairy products from some of the top Dairy Judges around. We even taste tested an ice cream pie! I had such a wonderful time and enjoyed meeting everyone.  If you get the chance to visit another state’s state fair, make sure you do.  Being able to experience the Illinois State Fair brought back so many wonderful memories of going to the Missouri State Fair and now I have new memories from the Illinois State Fair. Be sure to check out some of the photos we took while at the fair.  If you have some pictures that you would like to share, send them to us along with your name and where you are from and we will be sure to place them online.

-Kari McKinney, Brownfield Promotions Coordinator

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