A Fulton County native will head both the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and the DuQuoin State Fair.
Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Philip Nelson says 63-year old Patrick Buchen will be the Illinois State Fair Manager.
Buchen is a former Executive Director of the Indiana State Fair, and former Executive Director of the Texas Longhorn Cattle Breeders Association.
Nelson says tough financial times in Illinois demanded the consolidation from two fair directors to just one. Buchen is expected to get started as soon as possible – as planning for both events is well underway.
The Illinois State Fair funs August 13-23rd in Springfield. The DuQuoin State Fair opens August 28th and runs through September 7th.
