CONSERVATION WORLD ADDS AN HOUR OF FUN AND
FAMILY-ORIENTED ACTIVITIES FOR THE 2003 ILLINOIS STATE FAIR

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. - Conservation World will remain open an hour later each evening during the 2003 Illinois State Fair, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Joel Brunsvold announced today. The new hours of operation at Conservation World are
10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily during the fair, Aug. 8-17.

"An extra hour will allow more state fair visitors to enjoy the beautiful setting and family-oriented activities of Conservation World," Brunsvold said. "Whether they’re planning a dinner of world champion barbeque from southern Illinois’ famous 17th Street Barbeque or simply looking for a relaxing spot to kick back as the sun sets, this extra hour will allow more people to experience Conservation World."

The extra hour each evening allows for adjusting the schedule of entertainment and activities in Conservation World to educate and entertain visitors until 8 p.m. Interactive displays, informative exhibits, seminars and entertainment in Conservation World provide an up-close look at the state's diverse natural resources, conservation programs and outdoor recreation opportunities.

The famous Scheers' Lumberjack Show anchors Conservation World’s entertainment area with world champion log-rolling, hand ax throwing, chainsaw racing, cross-cut sawing, chopping and pole climbing three times a day at noon, 3:15 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.

Mother Goose and Friends breathe new life into everyone’s favorite childhood stories in an energetic show of brightly colored costumes, props and decorations four times daily at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The Raptor Project's Birds of Prey program features eagles, falcons, hawks and owls in a unique, free-flying wildlife presentation emphasizing conservation, rehabilitation and propagation of birds of prey at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. daily.

The Hawg Trough, a 5,000-gallon, temperature-controlled water tank stocked with bass, bluegill, walleye and a variety of other Illinois fish features expert tips on proper baits, casting and other fishing techniques four times daily at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m.

During select shows, sign language interpreters will provide services in Conservation World for those with special needs: the lumberjack shows at noon and 6:30 p.m.; birds of prey shows at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Mother Goose shows at 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; and, the Hawg Trough fishing demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. In addition, a second sign language interpreter is available upon request on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Sangamon Valley Woodcarvers’ demonstrations are featured daily from 10 a.m.-
4 p.m. Carvers will answer questions and share tips, plus have many hand-made carvings available for purchase.

Chainsaw artists Tim and Karen Barker will dazzle visitors with their unique wood carving skills every day of the fair, turning six-foot logs into a wide variety of detailed figures, many of which will be auctioned throughout the year at Illinois Conservation Foundation events to benefit youth hunting and fishing events and promotions throughout the state.

Thanks to the generosity of the artists and the Illinois Conservation Foundation, one lucky Conservation World visitor will win one of the beautiful carvings. Registration is in the carvers’ area in Conservation World with the drawing to be held after the fair ends on Sunday, Aug. 17. The winner need not be present to win, but will be responsible for picking up and transporting the carving at a later date.

Activities for youngsters in Conservation World include a free 3-D archery range and a BB gun range. Youngsters can also learn to fish at a specially designed pond. The six daily free fishing clinics are at 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. and feature a half-hour of expert instruction and a half-hour of catch-and-release fishing.

Field dog demonstrations will be conducted on the bank of one of the Conservation World ponds Aug. 8-10 at 4 p.m. featuring pointers, retrievers and springer spaniels with both professional and amateur handlers from several sporting dog organizations.

Individuals who subscribe to or renew a subscription to Outdoor Illinois magazine during a visit to Conservation World will be entered to win a special outdoor adventure prize package. (Only those 18 years of age or older who subscribe in person during the Illinois State Fair are eligible for the drawing). The $10 subscription includes 12 issues of Outdoor Illinois magazine with monthly features about state parks, fishing, camping, hiking, hunting and other outdoor recreation, as well as a free, full-color calendar each December. The drawing will be conducted Aug. 17.

Visitors to Conservation World can also register for a daily drawing to win a one-night stay at Rend Lake and Eagle Creek resorts, the lodges at Giant City, Illinois Beach, Pere Marquette and Starved Rock state parks, the cabins at Cave-n-Rock and White Pines state parks, and the Carlyle Lakefront Cottages at Eldon Hazlet State Park. Drawings will be held each evening at the entertainment area in Conservation World.

Youngsters visiting the Land Management and Education tent will be able to participate in a hunter safety quiz, while school teachers visiting the tent will learn about the ENTICE teacher training institutes and be able to take back to their classrooms educational materials for their students.

Visitors will be able to ask questions about conservation laws and learn about the duties of Conservation Police officers at the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement tent.

The Mines and Minerals tent will include two mineral education trailers, an explosives display, mine safety equipment and will highlight land reclamation efforts in Illinois.

The Discovery Park tent will feature educational exhibits and activities, hosted by experts from the Illinois State Museum, the Illinois Scientific Surveys, the Illinois Waste Management and Research Center and other IDNR offices. One display will feature the Grand Illinois Trail (GIT) Trail Blazers program, a 475-mile ride. The Office of Realty and Environmental Planning will be giving away a children's mountain bike and helmet to one lucky winner between the ages of 5-15. Youngsters will find forms to register for the bike and helmet in the Discovery Park tent. The name of the winner will be drawn on the final day of the fair.

The Forestry Tent will have Smokey Bear on hand at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. every day, and will play the game "Spin to Win" at 11:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. "Ask Your Forester" will be available for fairgoers with tree, insect and disease questions.

The Natural Heritage tent will feature displays on efforts to protect threatened and endangered species, to improve wildlife habitat and to preserve Illinois natural areas.

The Illinois Department of Human Services will host an air-conditioned "mobile nursery" in Conservation World, providing a clean, cool place to nurse babies or change diapers.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will offer children's environmental games and registration for a daily t-shirt give-away. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will have a display celebrating their 100th anniversary.

Many environmental and outdoor recreation organizations and groups will present displays in tents located throughout Conservation World.

Park District Conservation Day at the Illinois State Fair on Saturday, Aug. 16, will feature activities at Conservation World, as well as activities elsewhere on the fairgrounds (outside the Illinois Building, inside the Illinois Building theater and on the Lincoln Stage) involving 20 groups from Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies. Several zoos will have small animals on display during the day.

Clothing, hats, mugs, books and other merchandise from the IDNR and Illinois Conservation Foundation will be available for purchase at the Conservation World log cabin.

Illinois craftspeople will conduct demonstrations and have products available for purchase by visitors. Vendors include 17th Street Barbeque, as well as popular kettle corn, fresh pork rinds, hot river chips, old-fashioned root beer, refreshing strawberry shortcake and shaved ice. Other vendors will be selling dried herbs and fresh spices, Amish jams and jellies and Illinois-grown honey, fossils, rocks and minerals and several different types of wood carvings. Traditional candle making, always popular with children, is a special Conservation World activity remembered fondly by generations of visitors who seek it out each year.

"Conservation World really is a fair within the fair," Brunsvold said. "I hope everyone takes advantage of the wide array of entertainment and activities, and the expanded 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. schedule, to make Conservation World one of their stops during the 2003 Illinois State Fair."

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