IAAF convention this weekend

SPRINGFIELD – Springfield’s Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center will be full of visitors this weekend during the annual convention of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs.

The convention gives fair volunteers from throughout the state the chance to learn something new, book an act and enjoy the queen and talent competitions. A record number of guests are expected for the Illinois County Fair Queen pageant.

“We have almost 1,400 people coming to watch our new queen, whoever that may be, and 71 contestants compete to be Miss Illinois County Fair,” said Charlyn Fargo-Ware, secretary/treasurer for the IAAF.

Former national FFA president Mark Mayfield will be the keynote speaker during the Saturday morning breakfast. The motivational speaker has an ag background, according to Fargo-Ware.

“I’m so excited to have him be there and speak and just share his thoughts about how we in agriculture can share that with the rest of the world.”

New Illinois agriculture director John Sullivan is also expected to attend the Saturday breakfast and help crown the new queen Sunday night.

More information on the IAAF can be found online at: www.illinoiscountyfairs.org or by e-mailing: charfarg@aol.com.