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Choppers, ropers, tractors ... Du Quoin State Fair has 'em all

By Marilyn Halstead, The Southern

Saturday, August 23, 2008 11:38 PM CDT

Today's Du Quoin fair schedule includes:

8 a.m. : ARCA Truck Series, pits open. Main race is 2 p.m.

9 a.m.: INT state water skiing tournament.

10:30 a.m. : Livestock judging and field demonstrations.

Noon: Veterans entertainment tent and carnival midway.

2 p.m.: Horse pulls, Jungle World, and Hidden Valley Dressing Contest.

3:30 p.m.: Talent show, 3:30 p.m.;

7:30 p.m.: Vince Vance and the Valiants

DU QUOIN - Saturday was a day for motorcycles and agriculture at Du Quoin State Fair.

The fair was the starting and stopping point for Kroger Poker Run for the Fund. The evening Grand Stand event was the AMA Sports Motorcycle Race.

Saturday was also Agriculture Day, with field demonstrations, livestock judging and team roping competition.

First-time vendor

As always, the fair features a Midway with carnival games and rides, exhibits, information and food.

One of the food vendors is new to the fair, Benton Masonic Lodge. Dave Tollison, past master of the lodge, said the group decided to come to the fair to raise funds for new air conditioning unit and repairs to their building.

The group is serving cod fish sandwiches, hot dogs and drinks.

"The lodge does a lot of dinners, and we decided we'd take it to a larger audience," Tollison said. He added that the lodge made a major investment in equipment but plans to serve food for years to come.

"We would be very appreciative if we break even or make a small amount of money and gain experience," he said.

Foster family picnic

The annual foster family picnic also was Saturday at the fairgrounds. Michelle and Ronald Schuzer of Marion brought their two foster children to the picnic and fair.

"We came so the kids could have a chance to ride rides and see some of their friends," Michelle Schuzer said.

This was the family's third foster family picnic. The first year, they were training and came to meet some other families. The past two years, they have had children to bring.

Roping competition

The team roping competitions brought about 500 riders to Du Quoin.

In team roping, a "header" ropes a steer's horns and a "heeler" ropes a steer's hind legs.

Bethany Keller of Sparta was watching her boyfriend, David McMaster, rope.

"We come every year. It's really good roping, and there's good money," she said.

She said a roper can win $1,200 at competitions like the one in Du Quoin, and three different competitions were held during the day.

Competitors have to rope four steers during competition. They are penalized for mistakes, such as not giving the steer enough of a head start or catching only one leg. The penalties add seconds to their time. The team with the best time wins.

Lauren Glasco of Anna was helping with the event. She said her dad, Tim, brought about 90 steers from Anna for the competition.

Lauren was one of the lucky people Saturday at the fair: Her job was inside an air conditioned announcer's booth.

Others had to deal with the heat and humidity. Misting fans were located at many booths to give fairgoers a chance to cool off.