Park Pentathlon Makes Debut At Illinois State Fair

Springfield, Ill - - The Illinois State Fair and the Illinois Association of Park Districts created a new, friendly competition called the Park Pentathlon held this morning on Conservation Day at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. 

“The Park Pentathlon is a fun, friendly competition,” said Amy Bliefnick, Illinois State Fair Manager.  “It’s a great way to promote teamwork and show just how much fun people can have doing activities that can be found at their local park district.” 

Participating teams included the Illinois State Fair, Park District Conservation Day, Secretary of State’s Office, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, City of Springfield, Illinois Army National Guard, and the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department.  Throughout the hour long competition, there were 5 activities plus a final relay. Scoring was based on points scored during each competition. 

Teams began with the basketball knockout followed by a hockey shootout, disc golf, a soccer shootout and a marshmallow golf drive.  The final activity was the Recreation Relay in which members participated in the dizzy bat station, egg-on-a-spoon race, potato sack race, and a three-legged race.

The overall winner of the Park Pentathlon this year was the City of Springfield, followed in 2nd place by the Department of Natural Resources and the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department rounding out the top three.

CONTEST WINNERS DURING “FUTURES FOR KIDS DAY” ACTIVITIES

A heat wave of competition filled the air of The Shed as young fairgoers faced an eventful Future for Kids Day, Friday at the Illinois State Fair.

But despite the heat, babies got on their marks for the Diaper Derby. They crawled off track, or turned back or stayed right at the start line.

Parents stood at the finish line to persuade their babies to crawl towards them. They were allowed to use foods and toys to get their babies to the finish line.

Bethany Flanagan of Springfield, IL was determined to crawl her way to victory as someone special waited for her at the finish line. 

“She would crawl really fast after the Elmo,” Heather Flanagan, mother of Bethany said.

Bethany is this year’s Diaper Derby champion. Adrianne Skelton and Kira Lutz finished 2nd and 3rd in the final heat of the race. Other contest winners are listed below:

Diaper Derby
1st Bethany Flanagan Springfield, IL
2nd Adrianne Skelton Pawnee, IL
3rd Kira Lutz Moweaqua, IL  
 
 
Decorated Diaper Contest
Prettiest Diaper
1st Alyssa Wiley Springfield, IL
2nd Aurora Deaver Edwardsville, IL
3rd Adrianne Skelton Pawnee, IL
 
Craziest Diaper
1st Thomas Searcy Springfield, IL
2nd Kaylee Morrow Oakford, IL
3rd Andrea Rogers Lincoln, IL
     
Ponytail Contest
Overall Winner Sydni Maggart Chambersburg, IL 42 in.
 
2 Years and Under
1st Macie Willis Greenview, IL 14 in.
2nd Jennifer Searcy Springfield, IL 13.25 in.
3rd Piper Martin Worden, IL 12.25 in.
4th Briley Martin Worden, IL 11 7/8 in.
5th Allison Norris Farmersville, IL 11.5 in.
 
3 and 4 Year Olds
1st Abilene Norris Farmersville, IL 22.75 in.
2nd Gracie Bryan Chatham, IL 22.5 in.
3rd Hannah Harwood Taylorville, IL 20 7/8 in.
4th Jerzi Hinds Chatham, IL 20 3/8 in.
5th
Tie Adriana Payne Creve Coer, IL
Brooke Mullner  New Lenox, IL 19.5 in.
19.5 in.
 
5 and 6 Year Olds
1st Emily Burkett Clinton, IL 30.75 in.
2nd Shayla Ortega Heyworth, IL 30.5 in.
3rd Timber Rose East Peoria, IL 25.25 in.
4th Maria Hart Springfield, IL 24.5 in.
5th Jillian Woodbury Riverton, IL 24 1/8 in.
 
7 and 8 Year Olds
1st Sabrina Burkett Clinton, IL 33 3/8 in.
2nd Kaylee Deloney Springfield, IL 32.75 in.
3rd Cendalyn Russell Morris, IL 31.25 in.
4th Carmen Valencia Shoborier, IL 29 1/8 in.
5th Trista Harden Springfield, IL 24 5/8 in.
 
9 and 10 Year Olds
1st Sierra Eigenmann New Berlin, IL 36.25 in.
2nd Zoe Nielsen Springfield, IL 35.5 in.
3rd Madison Utterback Pleasant Plains, IL 32 3/8 in.
4th Callan Russell Morris, IL 32 in.
5th Haley Kennedy Franklin, IL 29.25 in.
 
 
11 and 12 Year Olds
1st Lydia Flores Rochester, IL 34.75 in.
2nd Holly Kleiss Champaign, IL 33 1/8 in.
3rd Maggie Beauman Springfield, IL 29 3/8 in.
4th Abigail Arient Lockport, IL 28 3/8 in.
5th McKala Myers Springfield, IL 24 3/8 in.
 
13-16 Year Olds
1st Erica Edge Riverton, IL 32 3/8 in.
2nd Samantha Crist Atwood, IL 31 3/8 in.
 
Open Division: 17 and Up
1st Terelynn Russell Morris, IL 63 1/8 in.
2nd Channing Fullaway Athens, IL 47 5/8 in.
3rd Kevin Huddleston Bement, IL 43 in.
4th Christina Marshall Sullivan, IL 42.5 in.
5th April Rottmann Pierron, IL 42.25 in.