ROGER MONROE
The 75th annual Heart of Illinois Fair is scheduled for July 16-20 at Exposition Gardens. It isn’t what it used to be, but then, neither am I. Things have changed. People don’t flock to the summer event like they did years ago. Yet, it remains a most enjoyable family attraction and deserves our support. A lot of people work hard before, during, and after the Fair to make it a success.
It all started in 1945 when a group called the Peoria District Fair purchased 160 acres of the Walter Poppen Farm.
(Let me inject a personal note. When I walked home from Woodruff High School, I occasionally stopped at Poppen’s Market on Park Street for a pastry item. I wonder if the owners were related.)
Back to the Fair. Ground-breaking was held April, 1948, and a fantastic volunteer group of operating engineers and laborers — 225 members of Local Union 649 — started “Operation Earthmoving.” It involved 45 contractors, earth moving manufacturers, and equipment dealers donating more than one hundred pieces of equipment. Trucks delivered sand, gravel and material from stone quarries. The equipment came from Ilinois, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. A quarter million cubic tons of farmland dirt was moved and leveled.
According to Exposition Gardens and Fair board member, Phil Salzer, it was the largest earth-moving project in the country. He should know. His father, Trevelyn “Trev” Salzer, was one of the operating engineers handling a dozer. Phil, along with brothers, John and Bob, were able to ride with their father, but not all at the same time. “Can’t do that today,” Phil said.
The event captured the attention of the national media. It was covered by Movietone News and shown in theaters across the country. Time and Life magazines, The Associated Press and others provided news coverage. “Operation Earthmoving” completed the job in 48 hours because the men worked three shifts on April 24-25.
It was an amazing project. They figured the 225 workers were earning $2 an hour, so they donated close to a million dollars in labor.
The Fair opened in 1949 to the delight of around 45,000 who flocked to the grounds to enjoy livestock competition, rides, concessions, motor contests — especially the popular demolition derby. The food was outstanding like Bill’s Lemonade and Sam the Candy Man and local vendors with delicious pork chop sandwiches. Attendance soared, reaching 310,000.
The free grandstand shows certainly hiked attendance with such stars as Kenny Rogers who appeared three times. But, there were others who wowed the crowds that packed the stands, including Glen Campbell, Bob Hope, Eddie Rabbit, Foster Brooks, Alan King, Gabe Kaplan, Mac Davis, Connie Stevens, Leann Rimes, Gloria Estefan, Jan and Dean, Tiny Tim, Roy Clark, Pat Boone, Rich Little, Captain and Tennille, Charley Pride, Barbara Mandrell (2), Tanya Tucker, and others.
Fair officials like the pleasant Eileen Frye said the stars and celebrities were not cheap, but increasing revenues made it possible to book them each year. However, the talent fees started climbing for all of the great artists. It cost Exposition Gardens/Heart of Illinois $50,000 to bring Glen Campbell to town and $35,000 for Bob Hope. Soon, it was no longer feasible to provide the free grandstand shows.
The result was a decline in attendance. Fair officials had no options unless local companies and businesses were willing to provide revenue to sponsor talent. There also seemed to be a growing lack of interest. Even local and TV stations appeared to take a “don’t give a damn” attitude. I remember when WIRL broadcast daily shows “live” from the event. No more.
Let’s face it. Money is tight these days. Carle Health/Methodist Hospital has dropped sponsorship of the annual Red White, and Boom. I’m told it costs close to $100,000 to put on the fireworks show in downtown Peoria. The Peoria Park District canceled its annual Glen Oak Park event due to Police Chief Eric Echevarria’s threat of violence warning. The park district, thus, saved thousands, so it was happy, but attendees who do not commit crime were unhappy.
Back to this year’s Heart of Illinois Fair, July 16-20. Take the family and have a good time. It remains a wonderful, clean and enjoyable week with lots of fun and great entertainment. It may not be on the level of Bob Hope or Kenny Rogers or Roy Clark, but you’ll still have a great time.
HAPPY JULY 4TH: Happy Birthday America. Our country will celebrate its 248th birthday on Thursday, July 4 this year. Hopefully we’ll come together on this year’s Independence Day to thank God and prayerfully remember those who fought and died for the freedoms we enjoy. I doubt some will. There are evil forces inside and outside our country who want to change our form of government and eliminate elections by and for the people. They chant and yell, start fires, stamp and burn our flag, with the attitude “our way or the highway.” We’ve never been so divided since the Civil War, and some honestly believe we’re close to a repeat of that tragedy because compromise is not in their mindset or vocabulary. We have laws against hatred, but as far as I know, not a single person has been arrested for openly expressing hate for Jews. Go figure.
As I do every single day of the year, I’ll proudly fly the American flag, July 4th. I’ll remember the dead who died in wars where they fought gallantly, and I’ll praise those who served and survived. I will pray that God will save us. May I suggest you do the same.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” — Peter Marshall
