The Illinois State Fair—Your Beer Ticket To Stardom

By Sam Bakken in News on Mar 30, 2005 9:51PM

If serenading sows or crooning to cows sounds to you like a sweet summer gig, Illinois State Fair organizers want to talk to you. But sorry sellouts, they can't pay you.

They're offering these unpaid gigs instead of the usual Illinois State Fair Battle of the Bands. Partly because past winners, and we quote, "Didn't get no million dollars." In the past the prizes for the battle were trophies and a press release. In other words a killer promotions deal. But apparently winning the battle isn't quite the artist-launching success you may think. Last year's winner was the band REDSHIRT from Chicago whom we'd never heard of. Eliminating the promotional package prize probably won't disappoint too many people.

But organizers aren't only looking for music acts. We talked to one particularly helpful lady who said they really are looking for anything. Just send in a packet with your contact info and a demo to Illinois State Fair, Attn: Pati Kohlbecker, P.O. Box 19427, Springfield, IL 62794-9427. She also said that they're not quite sure how scheduling will work since they're still seeking submissions, but the music acts will most likely play the "One Particular Harbor" stage.

We're not sure we'll make the trek to Springfield in August, but if you're sick and tired of the open mike circuit, this could be your chance to hit the big time. Well, that is, if your idea of the big time includes dunk-tanks, fried anything and champion black breasted red cocks.