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* Gov. Jim Thompson went down the giant slide to open the Illinois State Fair every year. Here are a few photos that my pal John Amdor found online when I came up empty…
* I asked the Department of Agriculture if they had any pics of Thompson on the slide. They sent me these from the State Fair Museum…
Big Jim loved the state fair and he loved that goofy giant slide. And since he passed away during what would’ve been the 2020 Illinois State Fair, there’s some talk among his family and friends of having a celebration of his life during next year’s fair and maybe asking the governor to set aside a special day.
* The Question: Preferred activities during Jim Thompson Day?
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 2:25 pm
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Beat the heat by enjoying an extra large cola.
Comment by The Opinions Bureau Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 2:29 pm
Illinois beer and chilli festival!
Comment by South of Sherman Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 2:29 pm
Get the White Sox to play a home game in Springfield during the Fair.
Comment by Big Mike Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 2:34 pm
The Jim Thompson and Willie Nelson Best Cannabis Contest
Blue Ribbon’s in categories of best traditional, liquid, and edible
Comment by 01grad Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 2:36 pm
Set up giant slide outside Thompson Center and have people slide from the top down over the street and to the other side. Alternate site: set up slide in front of State Capitol building and have people slide down from the dome!
Comment by 32nd Ware Roscoe Village Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 2:42 pm
Well, obviously, free slides for all. What a wonderful goofball.
Comment by notsosure Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 2:45 pm
Buy a beer for a political opponent and sit down and have a friendly conversation with him/her.
Comment by SouthSide Markie Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 2:45 pm
Beer.
You got to have a parade.
Cool antiques
Got to look like you are having fun.
Comment by OneMan Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 2:50 pm
Big Bacon on a stick from the Pork Producers, and a sampler platter from all the Illinois micro brewers.
Comment by zatoichi Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 2:51 pm
Horsehoe contest. Yes, the edible kind. Find the interview from 2014 with his daughter, formal history taking, and it talks about lobster horseshoes and more that he loved. get creative with an Illinois delicacy in honor of the man who did just that.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 2:56 pm
Shuttle bus to the Dana-Thomas House for tours.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 2:57 pm
Contest for best butter sculpture of Big Jim.
Comment by Jake Jacobs Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 3:09 pm
Party at the mansion. Starting at 3 AM. Kind of like an end of session party.
Comment by Langhorne Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 3:13 pm
Big Jim brought the Chicago symphony orchestra to the fair many years. Classy.
Comment by Al Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 3:14 pm
Big Jim Beer chugging contest, of course
Comment by White Dynamite Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 3:14 pm
Three-legged legislative race through an obstacle course. Catch is, you can’t be tied to someone in your own political party.
Comment by Earnest Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 3:15 pm
Arm twisting contests, how long can you hold it there.
With time kept on an unplugged clock.
Comment by OurMagician Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 3:27 pm
Long time listener, first time commenter. In memory of Gov. Thompson, I only have two words for what I would like to drink at the 2021 Illinois State Fair in his memory:
ELECTRIC LEMONADE … (with the Beach Boys jamming away on the stage)
Not really much of a Beach Boys fan, but he was … cheers to you, Guv
Comment by Electric Lemonade Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 3:35 pm
Giant shelf of antiques that patrons can purchase. This time, the proceeds can be donated to charity, and the patrons can keep the antiques.
Comment by Keyrock Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 3:45 pm
If there was a butter sculpture of him standing next to the butter cow, he’d smile.
Comment by R A T Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 3:46 pm
Watching a home game of the Chicago White Sox (who are not residents of St. Petersburg, Florida).
Comment by Rich Hill Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 3:54 pm
The Gov should do the classy thing and set aside a day for Gov Thompson. Not holding my breath though.
Comment by Hmmmmmmmmm Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 3:54 pm
Build a replica of the White Sox ballpark on the fairgrounds at taxpayer expense.
Comment by Curious citizen Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 3:57 pm
Ride the Big Slide in a Payton jersey. I’m looking forward to it.
Comment by Proud Sucker Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 4:12 pm
Willie Nelson at the Grandstand followed by chili at the Mansion. Just like old times….
Comment by Observations Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 4:58 pm
How about a hug-in thing where strangers, one a Repub the other a Dem, share a hug. Two line: Dems on the left, Repubs on the right. Just good fun, smiles required.
Comment by anon Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 6:00 pm
Turn back the clock night to 1988. Free admission to anyone wearing a White Sox jersey.
Comment by Tommydanger Tuesday, Aug 18, 20 @ 7:18 am
I also noted the cameo appearance by Mars Cassidy…another great guy many of us got to meet back then.
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Tuesday, Aug 18, 20 @ 8:37 am
Celebrity giant slide races, politicians, members of the press, famous Illinoisans, White Sox vs. Cubs players, etc.
Comment by MyTwoCents Tuesday, Aug 18, 20 @ 8:55 am
One year at the state fair, I was briefly separated from my parents. Although they were nearby, it was terrifying for a 5 year old. I started crying and Big Jim came over to me and started talking with me until my parents came over. He showed so much kindness to a small child.
Comment by SIUEalum Tuesday, Aug 18, 20 @ 9:13 am
Willie Nelson at the Grandstand, lots of beer, and Giant Slides for everyone
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Aug 18, 20 @ 9:23 am