(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois State Fair is underway in Springfield as the gates opened at 7:00 this morning. Today is County Fair and Horse Racing Day on the fairgrounds with more than 70 county fair queens and 105 fairs and expositions from throughout the state represented. Today is also the first day of harness racing on the world’s fastest one-mile dirt track, plus the first day of the State Fair also features the annual Twilight Parade later this evening, starting at 5:30 in Springfield’s Lincoln Park and moving to the fairgrounds. While tomorrow is Agriculture Day at the fair, Saturday is Kids Day and Sunday is Veterans & Gold Star Families Day. The fair’s unofficial icon since the 1920’s, the 500 pound Butter Cow, was unveiled yesterday in the Dairy Building, where it will remain on display during the fair, running through August 17th. Learn more on the statefair.illinois.gov website.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois EPA has announced eight Household Hazardous Waste one-day collection events for upcoming Saturdays. Residents are encouraged to bring chemical cleaners, oil-based paints, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, pesticides, fluorescent lamps, and other products, however appointments to dispose of the hazardous waste are required. Three of the sites are somewhat in downstate Illinois, including Champaign, Taylorville, and Wood River. For details, go to the epa.illinois.gov website online.
(CHICAGO) A naturalization ceremony is scheduled for today in the Windy City. A total of 977 people are set to become United States citizens at Wrigley Field, also known as the Friendly Confines and home of the Cubs. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois will host the ceremony today for candidates from 109 different countries.