DuQuoin State Fair sees record crowd

DUQUOIN, Ill. -- The DuQuoin State Fair drew 54,900 more people this year than last, due mainly to improved entertainment, officials said Tuesday.

The state's smaller and lesser-known state fair attracted 447,950 people during its run Aug. 25 to Sept. 3, 14 percent more than the year before, said Jeff Squibb, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Squibb said attendance was the highest it has been since the state started keeping track in 1995, despite scattered rain showers and soaring humidity during the fair's run.

Last month, the state's main fair, the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, attracted 32,000 fewer people than it did in 2000, despite mild temperatures and sunny skies.

Squibb said DuQuoin's festivities were popular this year because of an improved grandstand lineup.

\ that featured country singers Kenny Chesney and George Jones, as well as the Beach Boys.

Fair officials this year booked fewer, more expensive acts than last year, as well as a series of entertainers who performed for free, such as mountain-bike stunt groups, wildlife presenters and African dancers, he said.

Last year, some 19,000 fewer people attended the DuQuoin fair than the previous year. Organizers blamed a heat wave.