SOUTHERN ILLINOIS GEARS UP FOR LOCAL FAIRS; HARNESS RACING DRAWS CROWD AT UNION COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

ANNA, Ill. -- It's an event not seen at many local fairs, but the Union County Fair still features three days of harness racing.

Horses that compete on the Illinois county fair circuit -- where betting is not allowed -- must be conceived and foaled in Illinois.

Illinois is one of the few states in the country where harness racing is still a booming sport, not only at big race tracks around the state where parimutuel betting is allowed, but also at the state fair level.

It's a fun sport, said a Union County fair official. The fair will begins Aug. 21 and runs through Aug. 29 at the Union County Fairgrounds.

Statewide, harness racing is a big industry, creating about 35,000 to 40,000 jobs. The races begin at 3 p.m. Aug. 26-29 at the fairgrounds.

The fair also features the annual pet parade, at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23; queen pageant at 8 p.m. Aug. 24; horse show, tractor pull, rodeo and demolition derbies on the final two nights of the fair.

Rides, food, entertainment and a wide range of exhibits are scheduled for the run of the fair.

This year marks the 44th year for the pet parade, which was added to the fair activities in August 1955.

All pets are welcome. In past years, youngsters have paraded lizards, snakes, rabbits, cats and dogs in the annual event. Among awards are those for oddest pet, best-groomed pet and most unique pet.

The pet parade will line up between 3 and 3:45 p.m. for the Aug. 23 event.

Fair books are already available at banks in Anna, Jonesboro, Cobden, Alto Pass and Dongola. The fair books are also available at the Farm Bureau and extension offices, at the county fair office in Anna City Park, and the Anna Chamber of Commerce.

Additional fair information is available by calling (618) 833-6311.

Fair schedules

Pulaski County

Aug. 16

5 p.m. -- Gospel singing.

7 p.m. -- Community Worship Service.

Aug. 17

7 p.m. -- Local Demolition Derby.

Aug. 18

6 p.m. -- Garden tractor pull.

7 p.m. -- International tractor pull.

Judging of exhibits in exhibit hall.

Aug. 19

7 p.m. -- "Open" Demolition Derby.

Livestock judging.

Aug. 20

7:30 p.m. -- Rodeo.

Aug. 21

6:30 p.m. -- Western Horse Show, 17 classes.

Aug. 22

6 p.m. -- 4-x-4 Mud race, 4 classes.

Union County

Aug. 21

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. -- Entry registrations at fair office.

Aug. 22

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- Entry registrations at fair offices.

3 p.m. -- Junior horse show at horse arena.

Aug. 23

4 p.m. -- Pet parade.

7 p.m. -- Community worship service.

Aug. 24

3 p.m. -- Junior tractor operator contest.

8 p.m. -- Queen pageant.

Aug. 25

1 to 3 p.m. -- Livestock judging.

3 p.m. -- 4-H livestock show.

7:30 p.m. -- Rodeo.

Aug. 26

(Children's Day, children admitted free)

9 a.m. -- Junior swine and sheep judging.

1 p.m. -- Junior livestock beef judging.

3 p.m. -- Harness racing and mule racing.

7 p.m. -- Tractor pull.

Aug. 27

(Veterans Day, veterans admitted free)

1 p.m. -- Junior livestock option.

3 p.m. -- Harness racing and mule racing.

8 p.m. -- Horse show.

Aug. 28

3 p.m. -- Harness racing and mule racing.

8 p.m. -- Demolition derby.

Aug. 29

8 p.m. -- Demolition Derby.

All day -- Discount rides.