Illinois State Fair To Welcome Stanley Cup

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Chicago Blackhawk fans will have an opportunity to see and take pictures of the Stanley Cup at the 2010 Illinois State Fair.
 
The cup, which is the National Hockey League's championship trophy, will arrive on the fairgrounds Friday at 1 p.m. and then be paraded down Grandstand and Illinois avenues to the intersection of Main St. for an official unveiling ceremony and press conference.  The cup will return to the fairgrounds Saturday, where it will be on display for fans at Main St. and Illinois Ave. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"I'd like to thank Blackhawks majority owner and chairman of the board Rocky Wirtz, Governor Pat Quinn and the USO of Illinois for making this public viewing possible," State Fair Manager Amy Bliefnick said.  "Blackhawks fans waited 49 years for their team to win an NHL championship and I'm thrilled to announce they'll have a chance to see the trophy in person at the Illinois State Fair."

"We are excited about this unique public viewing opportunity at the Illinois State Fair with Governor Quinn and our great partner the USO," Jay Blunk, the Blackhawks Senior Vice President of Business Operations, added.  "This allows us to give back to the people of Illinois, while also build awareness for those who protect our freedom, both past and present."

The Blackhawks won their first Stanley Cup since 1961 in June with a dramatic, four-to-three, overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 6 of the NHL Championship Series.