PUBLIC AWARENESS PERSPECTIVE

Don't miss this golden opportunity to show off your agency's talents and demonstrate the importance of park districts, conservation and recreation.

Saturday, August 20th, 1994 the Illinois Association of Park Districts, Illinois Park and Recreation Association and the Illinois Department of Conservation will host Park District Conservation Day. What makes this day different from the others? A smorgasbord of statewide park district entertainment — and lots of it! Designed to create an awareness not only for Illinois' outstanding park and recreation opportunities, but also for the vital importance of making the most of leisure time and conserving our natural resources, Park District Conservation Day will showcase fun, interactive and educational programs offered by Illinois' park districts.

Last year, more than 750,000 people attended the State Fair, making it the largest recreational special event in the state. It's only natural that such an event would allow guests to sample a variety of recreational activities offered by park districts all over the state. Guests passing by centrally located Lincoln Stage will enjoy park district tumbling, aerobics, dancing, theater, singing, music and much more during the entire day. Senior groups will also "strut their stuff" on stage in the comfortable, air-conditioned Illinois Building.

Guests of Park District Conservation Day must be warned, however. These aerobics, dance and tumbling performances are so motivating, spectators might feel the need to exercise right then and there! That's why we have planned ahead. When and if that exercise urge hits, usually after a few corn dogs, fries and bags of cotton candy, visitors can take a stroll in the tranquility of Conservation World.

Here, Park District Conservation Day guests can join in Walk Illinois, a statewide program promoting the awareness of health, fitness and the Illinois outdoors. Participants can "work off" their fair food by taking this leisurely 1K walk through Conservation World while enjoying the beautiful scenery and park district performances. One such performance is the Peoria Park District's "Birds of Prey" show, featuring an impressive array of wild birds including an owl, hawk, falcon and golden eagle.

Although visitors may enjoy their peaceful walk through Conservation World, there is one walk loathed by almost every fairgoer — the dreaded walk from distant parking spaces. Once again, we have planned ahead. Already, numerous agencies are preparing to provide their patrons with the best parking spaces available on Park District Conservation Day by scheduling busloads of senior citizens, youth groups and performers to travel to Springfield. Not only will these guests avoid the hassles of finding reasonable places to park and fighting traffic, but they will also receive a discounted admission rate, available only to Illinois park district passengers!

Call IAPD today at (217) 523-4554, or fax (217) 523-4273, to sign up your Park District singers, dancers, tumblers, theater groups, aerobics groups, senior citizen programs, conservation demonstrations and any other unique activities you'd like showcased at this year's Illinois State Fair. However, even if you don't have a special talent to showcase, you can still participate by bringing big groups of people to spend the day enjoying the various fair activities. Just schedule your park district passenger buses with IAPD to receive the exclusive discounted admission.

Don't miss this golden opportunity to show off your agency's talents and demonstrate the importance of park districts, conservation and recreation. Polish up those performances and book those buses for Saturday, August 20th — Park District Conservation Day at the 1994 Illinois State Fair. Let's show the best of our park districts to Illinois!

Bobbie Jo Moore is the Public Relations Coordinator for IAPD.

Illinois Parks & Recreation • March/April 1994 • 37