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Participants of "Fitness Is Leading The Way "
battled stormy weather to march in the Illinois
State Fair twilight parade. Two teams of
athletes traveled more than 500 miles carrying the ceremonial scissors used by Governor
Edgar to open the fair. The purpose of the
event is to encourage people of all ages to
make staying mentally and physically fit an
important part of their lives and to promote
the State Fair as Illinois' largest special recreational event.
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IAPD President Don Jessen addressed the
audience gathered during the State Fair opening ceremonies. On behalf of "Fitness Is
Leading The Way", Jessen presented the ceremonial scissors to Governor Edgar along
with a commemorative tee shirt. In addition to
the Governor, dignitaries included Senator
Karen Hasara, Agriculture Director Becky
Doyle, State Fair Manager Bud Hall and 1993
Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Nikki Bauman.
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Following the State Fair opening ceremonies,
IPRA President Steve Persinger(far left), IAPD
President Don Jessen (2nd from right) and
IAPD Immediate Past President Ron Lehman
(far right) had an opportunity to meet with
Governor Edgar.
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This year's Local Officials Day drew a record-breaking crowd, despite the heat. Park district board members joined other elected officials at a special luncheon held on the
Director's lawn at the fairgrounds. IAPD
Executive Director Ted Flickinger (left) and
IAPD President Don Jessen (right) discussed
issues with Illinois Secretary of State George
Ryan.
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Two fun-filled days of "Walk Illinois" were
featured during the first weekend of the State
Fair. Members of the IAPD/IPRA Joint Public
Awareness Committee conducted a walk and
distributed information at a special booth in
Conservation World. Above, chair Denise
Will took a moment to visit with special guests
Smokey Bear and Woodsy the Owl. Springfield radio station WMAY cosponsored the
event.
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More than one thousand people visited the
"Walk Illinois " booth during the State Fair.
Above, participants register for a 1K walk in
Conservation World. The first 250 individuals completing the walk each day received a
"Walk Illinois " water bottle. All registrants
were eligible for a drawing for either a weekend package at the Inn at Eagle Creek or an
autographed poster of parks and recreation
spokesman Mike Singletary.
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