SPRINGFIELD Mother Nature gave the Illinois State Fair a break onopening day Friday by providing a cloudless sky, a cooling breeze andwarm but tolerable weather.
Thousands flocked to the fairgrounds early to view farm animals,watch high divers, tour exhibits and eat their fill of fair fare,which runs the gamut from ostrich meat to cotton candy.
"We like coming just for the friendship, and meeting the peoplethat we have met before," said Lynn Shimmin of Roseville, who usuallyshows his hogs.
Everyone was grateful the day was not a repeat of last year'sopening where heat and humidity combined to make it feel like themercury had soared into triple digits.
Marge and Jim Anderson of Geneseo arrived at the fair justbefore the official opening at 9:30, recalling their experience froma year before when daughter Brittany, now 6, became sick from theheat and the family was taken to their car in a police cruiser.
"We hope it will be a better year this year," Anderson said.
But as the sun stretched overhead at noon, the 10-foot-deeppool used in a high-dive show looked awfully inviting. The showfeatures springboard and platform diving in unison and in tandem,with the nerviest dive coming off a 90-foot tower.
Organizers are hoping that good weather will help them drawcrowds of about 800,000 people. Other attractions include aneight-day rodeo, horse racing and a "Wheel of Fortune" game. Peoplepay $10 to enter a drawing to determine the participants. Thosecontestants compete for a round-trip to Hollywood for a "Wheel ofFortune" audition.
Gov. Edgar presided at the opening ceremony and then toured thefairgrounds on horseback, which he said is a high point of his fairexperience.
He also said he liked the horse racing and "walking around atnight when it is not quite as warm."
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