Veterans Enjoy Day of Tribute at the Illinois State Fair

The Lincoln Stage provided the setting for the honoring of armed forces past and present.  The Director of Veterans' Affairs, Roy Dolgos, hosted the event.  Governor Rod R. Blagojevich, Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn and other military officials addressed the crowd.  The Marine Corp Silent Drill Team also provided a musical tribute to our nation's veterans.
Husband/Hog Calling Contest entertains fairgoers on Grandstand Avenue
 The annual Husband/Hog calling contest was another crowd favorite, with a variety of different sounds and styles of calling.  The event was sponsored by HOG INC., who awarded cash prizes to the top three finishers.  The first place winner of the Hog Calling Contest was Chris Karr, of Seymour, IL.  Second place went to Joe Rhodes of Effingham and the third place slot title went to Lisa Reed of Springfield.  In the Husband Calling Contest, Sherry Day, of Springfield, received first place, Kelley Tierney, of Cornland placed second and Joanne Bravato of Cresthill took third.  Along with the cash prizes from HOG INC. the Illinois State Fair will provide premiums to the first place winners.
  Knox County Teen Wins 2006 Illinois State Fair Sheep Show
Suffolk wether named "Ernie" helped Sarah DeSchepper, 13, to the top two honors for sheep at the Illinois State Fair.
In just her third year at the Junior Show, DeSchepper was awarded the Grand Champion title, pending verification, as well as the Land of Lincoln award given to the best wether born and raised in the state of Illinois.
Sarah will sell Ernie in the Governor's Sale of Champions on Tuesday, August 15. She is uncertain with how she'll spend the money from the auction, but "I'll probably put some of it in the bank."
The daughter of Rich and Beth DeSchepper, Sarah will be in the eighth grade at ROWVA Junior High this fall.  She is a member of the Cloverleaf 4-H Club in Knox County.
This year's Reserve Grand Champion honors went to 14-year-old Jared Whitcomb and his Hampshire-Suffolk crossbreed.  The son of Ed and Coni Whitcomb of Greenview, Jared is a member of the Greenview Boosters 4-H Club in Menard County.  Jared showed the 2005 Grand Champion sheep.
2006 Grand Champion Steer is First Big Win for Kane County Youth
Nineteen-year-old Brock Foster of Kane County had never won a title bigger than his county fair until last night.  Foster's 1,280-pound crossbred steer named "Little One" was named the Grand Champion Steer at the 2006 Illinois State Fair, pending verification.  "We call him little one because all my other steers are much bigger framed," Foster said of his steer's name.  Brock says he feeds his steers with show feed, "and as the shows get closer, the harder I work."  Brock's hard work has paid off this season.  In addition to the state fair title, "Little One" won Third Overall at the University of Illinois Spring Show.
 Johnna Thompson was named this year's Reserve Grand Champion. Thompson's 1,314-pound steer is a crossbred from Friction. She won the Grand Champion title last year.
For the first time the Land of Lincoln Grand Champion will also be included in the Sale of Champions on Tuesday August 15, at 6 p.m.