DU QUOIN FAIR WELCOMES TRAVIS, FOXWORTHY, HOOTIE AND DOOBIES

DU QUOIN - Governor George H. Ryan today announced the superstar lineup for the 1999 DuQuoin State Fair featuring country music's Randy Travis and Bryan White, comedian Jeff Foxworthy, and rockers Hootie and the Blowfish and the Doobie Brothers.

"The 1999 DuQuoin State Fair Grandstand lineup reflects the wide variety of musical interests," Ryan said. "The World Trotting Derby, ARCA stock cars and USAC championship cars combined with grandstand performers will continue to make the DuQuoin State Fair an Illinois showpiece."

Ryan said the Fair kicks off Saturday, August 28, as Private Issue presents country star Randy Travis with special guest star Terri Clark. Classic rockers, the Doobie Brothers, will be featured on Sunday, August 29.

For the third year in a row, WGGH-AM will present a gospel show August 30. Station owners Johnny and Elaine Gomez will welcome The Cathedrals as a featured act. Country music star's Bryan White will headline Tuesday night, August 31. The evening will also feature the True Value/Jimmy Dean Country Showdown State Contest. Winners from throughout Illinois will compete for the right to advance to the popular national contest. Championship Wrestling will invade the grandstand stage on September 1.

The legendary hard-rock group Def Leppard will perform on September 2.

The Fair's second weekend will kick off with a new event, A Salute to the Military -- USO Variety Show. Some of Southern Illinois' most-talented performers are scheduled to appear in the free show on September 3.

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy will be the star attraction on September 4. On September 5, The Charlie Daniels Band will perform along with special guest Leon Russell. The Fair will wrap up on Labor Day night when Hootie and the Blowfish perform.

The track events include the $500,000 World Trotting Derby, which features the world's best 3-year-old trotters, will be held Saturday, September 4. The post time is at noon.

On Sunday, September 5, the featured race over the Magic Mile is the ARCA Super Series 100 Mile Stock Car Race. The final track event of the Fair is the USAC True Value Silver Crown Championship Car Race on Monday, September 6.

Illinois State Fair grandstand tickets will go on sale Monday, July 19 and can be purchased from the DuQuoin State Fair Ticket Office and at Ticketmaster outlets. Mail orders will be accepted with postmarks of June 7, 1999 or later. Orders should be mailed to: DuQuoin State Fair Ticket Office, 655 Executive Drive, DuQuoin, IL 62832.

No hand deliveries will be accepted. All sales are final. The Fair does not provide refunds or exchanges on ticket purchases.

New seating is available for people with disabilities. Those needing special arrangements or requesting a sign language interpreter should call 618/542-9373 (voice/TDD) by Monday, August 9.