The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
There’s something about the state fair that stirs up a special kind of nostalgia for so many of us here in the Midwest. For us growing up, the fair wasn’t just an event but it was a tradition. It meant piling into the car with the family early in the morning. We always had the same tradition of stopping for McDonalds breakfast every year which is something that is ingrained in my memory.
The memories come flooding back with each smell and sound. The taste of a hot corn dog dripping with mustard, a bucket of fresh donuts, or a lemon shake-up that quenched the summer heat. The thrill of sliding down the giant yellow slide, holding onto a burlap sack and racing your siblings to the bottom. The quiet magic of riding the sky lift, feet dangling above the crowds, watching the fairgrounds come alive with laughter, music, and lights.
Year after year, the fair was a marker of summer, something you could count on, something that tied generations together. Our parents told stories of their own childhood visits as they watched their kids experience the same joys. The fair wasn’t just about the rides or the food; it was about creating those life long memories.
And at the end of the day, whether it’s the Illinois State Fair, the Iowa State Fair or any state fair for that matter, it doesn’t really matter, it’s the joy and the memories it brings that make it unforgettable.