One Illinois was announced Thursday as the theme for the Illinois and Du Quoin state fairs this summer.
The theme is designed to send a message of statewide unity following the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the cancellation of both fairs in 2020. The state fair is scheduled for Aug. 12-22 at the state fairgrounds in Springfield. The Du Quoin State Fair is scheduled for Aug. 27-Sept. 6 in the town located 77 miles southeast of St. Louis.
Kevin Gordon, manager of the state fair, said that theme also showed strength, imbued from the state s recovery from the virus. We put a lot of thought into this year’s theme, Gordon said. Coming off a year where the fair was canceled for the first time since World War II, we want to convey a show of unity and strength when people return to the fairgrounds in August.
That means banks and post offices will be closed and there will be no mail delivery.
Federal buildings, State of Illinois offices, the Sangamon County building and the Municipal Building, along with Lincoln Library, will be closed.
District 186 schools and private schools are off for the holiday.