CLINTON COUNTY, Ill. — Floats, bands, and tractors…but why?
Because Carlyle, Illinois has a rich history in farming! That’s where the Clinton County Fair Parade took place on Monday night.
Before the parade even started, all across town people were lining up chairs like these to claim a front-row seat!
One spectator says his wife claimed their spot at 7:00 am when she set up their seats before work.
Watching with friends and family, Clinton County resident Rodney Rodawald says, “This is a big deal for a little town. There’s no doubt about it. There’s not much that goes on in rural America. This is one thing that we love to partake in, our parades.”
The Clinton County Fair Parade has been an annual tradition since 1951. The parade is just one element of the Clinton County Fair, which includes a week full of events celebrating the agricultural roots of the community.
Each year a queen is chosen at the Miss Clinton County Fair pageant to represent her community throughout the year of her reign. The 2023 Miss Clinton County Fair Queen, Audrey Moran, has been a part of the fair and parade since she was a little girl, and she will crown the 2024 Queen on Saturday.
“My sister was also a County Fair Queen. So, this is really a surreal moment, and now I get to share it with everyone else. I’m so excited for someone else to experience this,” Moran says.
On Wednesday at the fairgrounds, attendees can enjoy a new petting farm made possible by grant funding from Great Expectations and the Clinton County Farm Bureau.
“On Wednesday we have our Family Fun Night. It is free parking. That’s at 6:30 pm. We have our Ninja Course which is really fun for all ages, and there is always a grand prize of a bike for girls and boys. Then, we also have our Petting Farm, and we have Touch A Truck,” Moran says.
Back at the parade, tractors rolled down Fairfax Street as thousands turned out in the heart of town to catch the show!
But tractors were not the only thing on the parade route! The 5+ Bus and Scott Credit Union’s wrapped Hummer joined the fun!
Scott Credit Union’s Breese, Illinois Branch Manager, Shauna Berry, and her family, are members of the Clinton County community.
“It’s really an amazing small-town community. Everybody supports everybody, and SCU is all about their communities. Supporting the schools, supporting the businesses. I just love that about both,” Berry says.
Clinton County, thanks for having us!
The Clinton County Fair continues through Saturday, July 20, 2024. The Fairgrounds are located at 1899 Methodist St, Carlyle, IL 622311899 Methodist St, Carlyle, IL 62231.
For more information on the event click here.
For more information about Scott Credit Union click here.
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THIS ARTICLE INVOLVES COMMERCIAL CONTENT SPONSORED BY SCOTT CREDIT UNION. THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FEATURED APPEAR AS PAID ADVERTISING. FOR MORE INFORMATION, EMAIL US AT SMSL@KSDK.COM.
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