CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I was down to the State Fair in Springfield, Illinois last week, attending on Agriculture Day. Of course I couldn't be in multiple places at once, so I saw only two competitions through completion: Duroc pigs and Oxford Sheep. It was a long summer day in August from just after 8am to well after dark for the night shots of the rides. The winners for the animals are sold for prices ranging as high as $2000 per animal and the winning owners receiving $6000 college scholarship awards. In both competitions, the judges provided review comments on every single animal displayed.

The first Illinois State Fair opened on October 11, 1853 with an admission cost of 25 cents. The attractions included cattle, horses, and sheep venues, among displays of reapers, mowers, farming tools, and a variety of corn planters. On the third day, over 15,000 people attended. The fair was a success, netting $853 in profits with $1500 in premiums paid out to prize-winning exhibits. There were a total of 765 entries in all areas.

For the next 40 years, the Illinois State Fair was hosted by twelve different cities including Freeport, Chicago, Alton and Olney. The fair settled permanently in Springfield in 1894.

Swine Competition by Paul Sager, on Flickr
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4387/35920036454_431dd672ba_b.jpg

Swine Competition by Paul Sager, on Flickr
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4389/35920071704_cfe1bdac14_b.jpg

State Fair by Paul Sager, on Flickr
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4385/36393077900_b70a24628a_b.jpg

Sheep Competition by Paul Sager, on Flickr
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4393/36789891445_7f7678dd79_b.jpg

Sheep Competition by Paul Sager, on Flickr
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4402/36789887845_5826f633bd_b.jpg

State Fair by Paul Sager, on Flickr
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4421/36650846851_9c53c7f674_b.jpg

State Fair by Paul Sager, on Flickr
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4344/35955417394_7767bece36_b.jpg

State Fair by Paul Sager, on Flickr
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4333/35981127233_c6e2650c0a_b.jpg

State Fair by Paul Sager, on Flickr
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4433/35981129913_39dcfb6dc2_b.jpg

crafterwantabe Loc: Mn

Nice group of pictures!!!!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thanks crafterwantabe! It was a fun day. I also shot a few B&W rolls of film, hopefully they'll come out as well.

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Good images.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

The pigs look awfully proud. Good job.
Thanks for the post,
Marion

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thanks Marion. The males were a lot more slobbery and more difficult to handle. I think only grown men were involved as handlers then.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thanks Karin, glad you enjoyed!

Tikva Loc: Waukesha, WI

Wonderful series. I especially like the ones of the sheep who are wearing 'something' over the heads and at least part of their back. They don't look to be too concerned about it.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thanks Tikva. I believe the sheep were newly / completely shorn and these outfits might be considered their pajamas.

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

Really good shots - I especially like the one with the ferris wheel and the food stall.

dck22

Great series.

AK Grandpa Loc: Anchorage, AK

I grew up in central Illinois . . . My favorite thing at the fair was always the Tractor Pull . . .

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Hi AK Grandpa! I drove down from Chicago and lucked into attending the Fair on the last sunny day before a few days of rain in the Springfield area. I'll have to check the schedule of events on future years to see what else I can see.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thanks SueScott! I had waited nearly an hour just people watching as the sun went down to get a few night shots before ending the day's visit.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thanks dck22!