The DuQuoin State Fair opened Friday in southern Illinois, even as state leaders are trying to explain a dramatic decrease in attendance at the State Fair in Springfield earlier this month.Fair Manager Patrick Buchen says there is definitely a strong agriculture presence in DuQuoin.
"They've never really left the core that maybe Springfield got away from a little bit. I'm green with envy at their farm implement displays that they have down here, for example. They're in great shape when it comes to the farm community down here."
There will also be carnival rides, plenty of fried food, entertainment and a lot going on at the grandstand over the ten day event.
The larger of the two State Fairs posted dramatic declines in attendance this year - with less than half of last year's 961,000 people entering the grounds. Leaders say previous years may have had inflated numbers.
The DuQuoin State Fair runs through Monday, September seventh.
