Podcasts about Illinois State Fair

What is more nostalgic than the memory of an American road trip: the sense of freedom and exploration, adventure and an open road, connection and memories, simplicity and escape? In The Great American Retro Road Trip: A Celebration of Roadside Americana (Artisan; hardcover; June 24, 2025), join journalist Rolando Pujol on a coast-to-coast celebration of the nostalgic pleasures of America's vintage signs, quirky roadside attractions, and offbeat fast-food relics.A taste of the 1000 iconic locations listed includes:The 21-foot Buck Atom, a Muffler Man space cowboy deposited by aliens at an old gas station on Route 66 near Tulsa, Oklahoma. The 13-foot Smiling Peanut, inspired by President Jimmy Carter's famous smile and constructed during his 1976 campaign, now sitting in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. The Sinclair Oil dinosaur Octane in Heber City, Utah, to see how local schoolteacher Christine Chappell has outfitted him (Octane has been dressed up as everything from a Utah Jazz player to Barbie to the Statue of Liberty and has promoted school fundraisers, political candidates, and helped celebrate holidays). The 9,370-pound World's Largest Popcorn Ball, made from real, locally grown popcorn kernels in Sac City, IowaA corn dog at the Cozy Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, whose founder sensationalized the 1946 Illinois State Fair when he debuted his hot dog on a stick. A hamburger and midcentury ambience at The Red Rooster in Brewster, New York in a 1963 A-frame decorated with candy- stripes and an ice-cream-cone cupola. Burger Chef, founded in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1954, was once neck-and-neck with Burger King in the race to catch up with McDonald's. The chain faded away by the 1980s, but one of the finest remaining former Burger Chefs is in Rialto, California, is so authentic looking it appeared in Mad Men.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.

It's David Foster Wallace's article “Ticket to the Fair” on this week's episode of the Torg Stories Podcast.  Wallace’s article tells the story of his August, 1993 visit to the Illinois State Fair, and Anne and I use the article to remember some of the fairs of our youth.  As for what I was doing … Continue reading "David Foster Wallace’s “Ticket to the Fair” and County Fair Memories on the Torg Stories Podcast"

An ag education update from FCAE District 2 Program Advisor Jenny Wold.  Illinois Soybean Association Director of Agronomy Abigail Peterson discusses ISA's role at next week's Farm Progress Show. Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo recaps the numbers from the Illinois Specialty Growers Association Farm Stand at the Illinois Department of Agriculture Tent during the Illinois State Fair.  

The guys recap the Illinois State Fair including Randy calling with a horticulture update, and Tom calls with an update on his loaner vehicle and the quality of gasoline. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The guys continue their recap of the Illinois State Fair and hear from callers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(The Center Square) − Illinois Democrats say their party will win across the United States in 2026, with the Land of Lincoln serving as the blueprint. Gov. J.B. Pritzker spoke at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs' Association brunch Wednesday morning before hosting Governor's Day on the Lawn at the Illinois State Fair in the afternoon. Pritzker said Democrats will win in 2026, and the rest of the country will live out what Illinois is experiencing. “And what I'll say to those who are wondering what's next for the Democratic Party is this: She's alive and well and stronger than ever, living right here in the great state of Illinois,” Pritzker said.

The Illinois State Fair is a chance for the parties to rally and for candidates to see where they stand.

We take listeners to Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair. Plus, an interview with Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello.

As we continue our coverage of the Illinois State Fair, we're going to take a moment to take a look at the state of agriculture in Illinois. 

In today’s deep dive, it's the second year in a row in which there was a naturalization ceremony at the Illinois State Fair. We'll talk to some of the nearly 400 new Americans.

The final day at the gazebo at the Illinois State Fair presented by the Illinois Beef Association includes fair exploits from Sam, Greg, Mark Kelly and Steve Brown. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Illinois State Fair's final weekend begins with the final show of the event from the gazebo thanks to the Illinois Beef Association as vendors drop by to visit with Sam and Greg and guests Steve Brown and Mark Kelly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois Beef Association presents the show from the gazebo at the Illinois State Fair as Sam and Greg are joined by Mark Kelly, Steve Brown, vendor Mickey Venegas and Illinois Wine's Lisa Ellis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Illinois State Fair marked the unofficial launch of the 2026 election cycle. Democrats and Republicans brought major names to the stage to help showcase their candidates and fire up their supporters. Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowicki and Ben Szalinksi share their impressions of the events and discuss what it all signals about the campaigns ahead.

Greg Bishop shares highlights from Governor's Day at the Illinois State Fair where Democrats rallied the party faithful. There were also questions about congressional maps and energy prices.

For the second year in a row, there was a naturalization ceremony during the Illinois State Fair-welcoming immigrants. This comes at a time when the Trump administration is doing everything it can to discourage people from coming to America. Brian Mackey spoke to some of the 400 new Americans at the ceremony, who shared a little bit about their background and why they chose to immigrate to the U.S.

Democrats are doing great in Illinois. However, nationally, the party has been struggling with very little power in the U.S. House and Senate. Brian Mackey visits the fair to hear from party leaders in Illinois and from activists and organizers from around the state about how to do better in 2026 elections. 

Celebrating the Illinois State Fair with Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello and Deputy Director Kristi Jones. Catching up with Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Johnna Fulcher.  Logan Karcher with the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition highlights September Grazing School events.Monthly update from Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine. 

Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair continues at the gazebo courtesy of the Illinois Beef Association with State Rep. Mike Coffey and 13th District Congressional candidate Jeff Wilson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair features guests Senate Minority Leader John Curran, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie and guest hosts Griffin and Dayna Kopecky, all presented by Illinois Beef Association.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois Beef Association presents the Illinois State Fair editions of the show from the gazebo as Republican Day guests include Springfield Ward 7 Ald. Brad Carlson, Sangamon County Treasurer Joe Aiello and Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The suburban Chicago lawmaker discusses the state GOP with Sam at the gazebo during Republican Day of the Illinois State Fair. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Champaign County resident discusses his candidacy with Sam in the gazebo on Republican Day of the Illinois State Fair.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois Beef Association presents the show from the gazebo at the Illinois State Fair on Governor's Day as guest host Jodi Ogilvy joins Sam and Greg along with PM Springfield host Patrick Pfingsten and Illinois Beef Association chief Josh St. Peters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor's Day at the Illinois State Fair finds Sam, Greg and guest host Jodi Ogilvy at the gazebo with guests Patrick Pfingsten of PM Springfield and the annual fair visit from U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, all presented by Illinois Beef Association with title sponsor Selvaggio Steel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois State Fair shows from the gazebo are courtesy of the Illinois Beef Association as Selvaggio Steel presents AM Springfield with guest host Jodi Ogilvy and conversations with Kevin Lust of the American Business Club and Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Springfield Democrat makes his annual Governor's Day visit to the gazebo at the Illinois State Fair. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 3 on Twosday at the Illinois State Fair presented by Illinois Beef Association features Chris from Zakopane Polish food stand with Sam, Greg and guest host Paris Ervin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam, Greg and guest host Paris Ervin continue Twosday at the Illinois State Fair thanks to the Illinois Beef Association as Ken Liss stops by to preview the Illinois State Fair Chili Cook-off.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois Beef Association presents the show from the gazebo at the Illinois State Fair on Twosday with guest host Paris Ervin, as Illinois State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark stops by.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day 5 of the Illinois State Fair features Sam and guest host Kim Staff courtesy of Illinois Beef Association, and Bill Peterman of Peterman Financial Group stops by the gazebo for this week's Money Talk Monday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois Beef Association presents the show at the gazebo at the Illinois State Fair as Clydesdale handler Dave Thomas talks about the famous horses with Sam and guest host Kim Staff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois State Fair coverage continues at the gazebo courtesy of the Illinois Beef Association with guest host Kim Staff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democratic Texas lawmakers fled their statehouse in Austin this week, and many of them sheltered in Illinois as part of a tactic to delay voting on a Republican-backed congressional redistricting plan. The political drama is drawing national attention as both political parties in Illinois are gearing up for their big days at the Illinois State Fair. Peter Hancock and Ben Szalinski analyze what has been happening and what it may mean for the 2026 elections.

The first show from the gazebo at the Illinois State Fair courtesy of the Illinois Beef Association features representatives from Compeer Financial discussing large contributions to the Illinois State Fair Foundation, and more banter with Sam and guest hosts Beni Harmony and Mark Kelly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois Beef Association hosts the show at the gazebo as the Illinois State Fair enters Agriculture Day with Green Hyundai's Mike Quimby, Brian Manci of American Business Club, Lou Bart of the YMCA, and Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day 2 of the Illinois State Fair finds the show in the gazebo on Agriculture Day thanks to the Illinois Beef Association as its director, Josh St. Peters, talks about the New York Strip on a Stick at the Ribeye Corral and guest hosts Beni Harmony and Mark Kelly liven up the early morning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Illinois State Fair is more than fun and funnel cakes — it's a celebration of agriculture, youth leadership, and investment in our state's #1 industry. Senator Doris Turner and Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello talk about upgrades to the fairgrounds, diversity in ag, and what the future holds for FFA, 4-H, and more.

Dr. Bianca Pruitt of Will County is a recipient of the Illinois Farm Bureau Nurse Practitioner Scholarship.University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson provides information on wasps.  Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza highlights her presence at the Illinois State Fair. Timothy Thompson from Valent discusses progress and condition of the corn crop. 

The Illinois State Fair is underway as the guys are live on the sidewalk across the street at American Legion Post 32 with Matt Brewer of Stephen Kelly Law Office, Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher and Tom Shafer all with fair memories.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Illinois State Fair kicks off as the guys are live from American Legion Post 32 across the street with guests Lisa Ellis of Illinois Wine, Robert Mack of Cigars for Aficianados, Michael Kusterin of Northtown Vacuum, Brad Mills of Frontiers International, Sangamon County Clerk Joe Aiello, Jerome Mayor Mike Lopez and the return of Tom Shafer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American Legion Post 32's sidewalk hosts the show on opening day of the Illinois State Fair as Mark Selvaggio of title sponsor Selvaggio Steel, Illinois State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark, Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II and Illinois County Fair Queen Johnna Fulcher visit with Sam. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The annual Illinois State Fair opens Thursday at noon and runs through August 17.The main organizer behind the fair gives a rundown of what visitors can expect this year.  

The guys look at rest of the week, including the Illinois State Fair, and discuss electric vehicles followed by Wellness Wednesday with Dr. Sean McCaffrey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The guys catch up on local notes, continue the buildup to the Illinois State Fair, and hear from Tom about reluctance to utilize self-driving cars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam shares Illinois State Fair memories and Nathan Boyle of Peterman Financial Group hosts this week's Money Talk Monday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam and Greg recap the weekend with some help from Tom as he calls in, and look ahead to the Illinois State Fair forecast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mayor discusses a variety of city topics, including personnel, downtown and the upcoming Illinois State Fair. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders Excellence in Agriculture award winner Kate Huffman from Henry County. Talking county fair traditions with Terry Leitschuh with the Madison County Fair. Illinois Ag in the Classroom's Kevin Daugherty highlights two Illinois authors who will have a presence at the Illinois State Fair.  

Journalist and media personality Candace Jordan joins Rick Kogan to recap the 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race and talk about the possibility of its return to the streets of Chicago in 2027. Candace also previews the Illinois State Fair starting August 7th.