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It's Time To Prepare Entries For The 2009 Illinois State Fair
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Premium books for the 2009 Illinois State Fair are now available online. The books, which explain rules, entry deadlines and prizes for the fair's more than 8,700 competitive events, are posted in .pdf format at www.illinoisstatefair.info. Just click on the "Competitions" tab. The premium books are listed in the menu on the left side of the page above a link for downloadable entry forms.
Five books have been published, one each for the Livestock and Junior Livestock contests, the Western Horse Show, the Society Horse Show and General fair competitions.
The Livestock Premium Book contains specific information about livestock entries and the divisions and classing of animals. Livestock competitions include: beef cattle, dairy cattle, draft horses, llamas, goats, sheep, swine, poultry and rabbits, as well as the popular husband and hog calling contests. The Junior Livestock book includes entry information for the following divisions: beef and dairy cattle, goats, sheep, swine, poultry and rabbits.
Junior Livestock entries must be returned to county extension offices. The deadlines vary. Exhibitors are advised to contact their local extension office to obtain the date for their county. All other livestock entries should be submitted to the Illinois State Fair no later than July 1.
Premium books for the Western Horse Show, which will be held July 11-25, and the Society Horse Show, which is scheduled Aug. 11-15 and Aug. 19-22, specify rules for various divisions depending upon the horse and riding style. The General Premium Book includes entry information and prizes for many traditional fair contests, including the culinary, floriculture and textile contests.
July 1 is the deadline to enter both horse shows. For most other fair contests, the entry deadline is July 15.
Books have been distributed by e-mail to county extension offices and agriculture science instructors with the help of state FFA and state 4-H offices. A limited number of print copies also are available. To request one, please contact Durinda Kirby at (217) 782-0786.
The 2009 Illinois State Fair will be held Aug. 14-23.
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