A fair of the heartland became a victim of the state`s stingy budget Wednesday.
Illinois State Fair officials announced the unprecedented cancellation of the event`s first two days-including ”Pride of Illinois Day”-and the elimination of two evening grandstand acts to cope with $1.7 million in cuts approved last week by the General Assembly.
”It`s unfortunate it has to be cut back, but that`s the fiscal reality. There`s no alternative,” said Gov. Jim Edgar.
Instead of opening Thursday, Aug. 13, Opening Day will be pushed back to Saturday, Aug. 15. Canceled as a result was Color Me Badd, the grandstand entertainment set for Aug. 13, and the B-52`s, who had been scheduled for Friday, Aug. 21.
Tractor- and truck-pull competitions also were scrapped.
”We expected a reasonable cut in the fair, but we think this is an unreasonable cut,” said Bud Hall, the fair`s manager. ”I can`t tell you why it was cut. But they got way past the fat with this cut.”
Hall said he played little role in the talks that led to the decision to cut the fair short by two days. But he said ”most people probably believe nine days of good-quality fair is adequate.”
The delayed opening, cancellation of acts and a reduction in the fair`s workforce should save about $420,000, Hall said. Other cuts will be made affecting fairground maintenance and use during non-fair times.
”That means we`re going to have to say no to a lot of groups that come in from out of state to have shows at the fairgrounds, and that will hurt our tourism efforts,” Edgar said.
Fair officials said competitive livestock events will continue on schedule despite the delayed fair opening.
