Veterans and Gold Star Family Day at the 2017 DuQuoin State Fair

(DuQuoin, IL) ...The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Illinois State Fair invite veterans and their family members to enjoy a day at the Illinois State Fair on Sunday, August 27, 2017.  In addition to all the great activities, events, entertainment and food the DuQuoin State Fair has to offer, the following programs and events are planned for veterans at the VIP 1 Area Tent and adjacent area on the fairgrounds:

  9:30 am   Gold Star Family Memorial Service - VIP 1 Area Tent
10:00 am -  3:00 pm Vet Hiring Event and Vet Benefits Expo - Heat Building 1 & 2
10:30 am - 12:00 pm JROTC Drill Exhibition - Midway Drive
11:00 am - 11:30 am  566th Air Force Band of the Midwest -VIP 1 Area Tent
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Official Program - VIP 1 Area Tent
  1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Veterans Lunch - VIP 1 Area Tent
   (Free to Veterans and Immediate Family)
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm      566th Air Force Band of the Midwest -VIP 1 Area Tent
3:30 pm  Veterans Day Parade  

A Memorial Service for all Gold Star Families will be held for the first time on Sunday, August 27 - 9:30 am at the Fair.  All Gold Star Families are welcome and encouraged to attend.  "This Sunday we come together to honor and remember the brave men and women who fought for America's Freedom," said IDVA Director Erica Jeffries.

The Veteran Hiring Event will feature over 20 companies who will be offering jobs to Veterans that day.  The Benefits Expo includes information, services and activities for veterans and family members with the IDVA, state and federal agencies, veteran service organization and non-profits. 

Major General (ret) William L. Enyart will be the Keynote Speaker at the Official Program.  He served as Southern Illinois' United States Congressman in the 113th Congress where he served on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Agriculture Committee. He retired from Congress in January 2015.

The IDVA will highlight the work and thank the distinguished IDVA Employee of the Year, Mr. Lynn Brown.  The Veteran Volunteer of the Year and Patriotic Business of the Year were recognized at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield on August 13th.

A drill demonstration will be provided by the Air Force Junior ROTC from O'Fallon High School, O'Fallon, Illinois. 

The Veterans and Gold Star Family Day at the DuQuoin State Fair is supported by many Veteran Service Organizations, with thanks to the State Fair committee for their time, efforts, and energies in making this event possible.

Media are welcomed to attend and advance publicity of the event is appreciated.