Fair goers, workers enjoy Du Quoin State Fair despite hot temperatures

DU QUOIN, Ill. (KBSI) – Eleven-year-old boy Charles Ticer has been coming to the Du Quoin State Fair for the past five years and doesn’t care how hot it is as long as he gets to ride rides and have fun with friends. 

“I have fun,” said Ticer. “Whenever I get hot, I go on rides that spin with a lot of air in your face to cool off.”

Henry Stockton, 75,  who has been working at the Du Quion State Fair in the grandstand for the past 25 years, says he has met people older than him who are not stopped by this heat. 

“I had a lady come in here earlier today I think she said she was 87 I think and she’s enjoying it and going to bed on the horses, and I wished her well.”

Stockton says when the horse shows are done it takes a while for people to clear out which shows a good crowd of people are still coming to the fair. 

“I feel like the crowds are better than what they have been.”

Even though it’s a good crowd coming out to have fun there are still some issues with being out in this heat. Paramedic Captain Cole McKenzie says they are staying in campers for 11 days on the fairgrounds to help anyone who needs it. 

“We have two fully staffed, life-support ambulances on site.” said McKenzie. “We’re also handing out bottles of water, some cooling towels and everything just giving people a nice, air-conditioned room if need be.”

McKenzie says it’s not one particular age either as he’s had to help many over the duration of the fair. 

“It’s kind of all ages, young, elderly, people with a lot of health problems. It’s kind of affecting everybody equally.”