CHAMPAIGN, Ill. Visitors to the Illinois State Fair who stop by the University of Illinois tent can get free Dreamsicles or temporary Illini tattoos and learn how to use the Library Gateway to access materials from the UIs collections.
Other features in the UI tent this year will include the College of Veterinary Medicines Wildlife Clinic, featuring hawks, owls and some of the other animals cared for at the clinic, and “Fishing for Information,” a game sponsored by the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program and designed for children to learn about exotic aquatic species and how they affect the environment.
University faculty, staff, students and alumni will greet fairgoers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Aug. 10-19, in the UI tent, located in the Agri-Expo area, just off Main Street at the Springfield fairgrounds.
Each day during the fair, the UIs Office of International Outreach will give fairgoers a glimpse of the nations the UI has working relationships with Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Tobago and Trinidad. Children can participate in flag painting and quizzes about each nation. Recipes, raffles, quizzes and prizes are among the other features of the Outreach exhibit.
The UI Assembly Hall will have a display of larger-than-life posters of performers and will give fairgoers an opportunity to register to win tickets for performances and to sign up for e-mail information on upcoming shows.
The UIs Building Research Council will have a display highlighting sustainable, accessible and affordable housing.
Fans of UI athletics can stop by the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics display and pick up posters, schedule cards and season-ticket information, as well as register for the chance to win two tickets to a football game. Kids can try on authentic football gear.
People interested in learning about the various non-credit programs and courses the campus offers should stop by the display sponsored by the Office of Continuing Education. Information will be available about a variety of personal and professional enrichment topics, with special emphasis on courses for adults 55 years of age and older, including the Elderhostel program.
At the UI Extension display, visitors can play the Extension Game, with a chance to learn about food safety, pet care and more.
At the WILL-TV display, children will be able to tape video spots for possible inclusion on “ZOOM,” a daily interactive television produced by children for children.
The weekend of Aug. 17 and 18, the UIs Physics Van, a traveling science show for children, will be at the fair. Children who visit the van will be able to see physics demonstrations that make science fun and exciting.
Campus performing groups, including Cutting Edge, Spicy Clamato, 3 Spot and The Girls Next Door, will entertain visitors throughout the fair.
