HR0895LRB102 28279 LAW 40150 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to congratulate the City of Du Quoin on 
4the occasion of its 100th anniversary of hosting the DuQuoin 
5State Fair; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, The DuQuoin State Fair started in the spring of 
71923 when a group of successful and ambitious Du Quoin 
8business leaders, led by William R. Hayes, developed the idea 
9of sponsoring an event that would attract people from all over 
10Southern Illinois; the group called the event the DuQuoin 
11State Fair because they wanted it to become as nice, as 
12attractive, and as well received in the area as the Illinois 
13State Fair in Springfield; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, The DuQuoin State Fair quickly started garnering 
15the types of crowds typical of the Illinois State Fair; during 
16the 1920s, the fair's crowds were estimated to consist of 
1750,000 to 60,000 visitors in the first few years; the fair 
18continues to make an impact on the region, having had millions 
19pass through its gates throughout the years with an estimated 
20300,000 visitors each year; and
  
 
21    WHEREAS, Throughout the late 1950s through 1980, the 
22DuQuoin State Fair was known as the Home of the Hambletonian, 
 
 
HR0895- 2 -LRB102 28279 LAW 40150 r

1harness racing's Kentucky Derby; in more recent years, auto 
2racing has been a popular attraction, with the fair hosting 
3legendary racecar drivers each year; the fair has additionally 
4featured hundreds of prominent entertainers on its stage 
5throughout the years, including Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Liza 
6Minnelli, Sonny & Cher, Johnny Carson, Carol Channing, Johnny 
7Cash, Willie Nelson, Roy Clark, Lynn Anderson, and Tammy 
8Wynette; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, The DuQuoin State Fair has proudly become the 
10most popular attraction in Southern Illinois; therefore, be it
  
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
12HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
13we congratulate the City of Du Quoin on the 100th anniversary 
14of hosting the DuQuoin State Fair, and we wish the city 
15continued success in hosting the fair, a mainstay of the 
16city's culture, in the years to come; and be it further
  
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
18presented to City of Du Quoin Mayor Guy H. Alongi as an 
19expression of our esteem and respect.