Agencies
Services
About FREE Entertainment / Shows
2025 FREE Entertainment
BrowTine Blades – Blacksmith Demonstration … Ryan Pierce will be doing knife smithing and light blacksmithing demonstrations. He will be located on Grandstand west. His blacksmithing skills are some of the finest you will ever see. Along with his demonstrations, he will also have knives, leather tooling, and a lot more available for purchase. He will be located at the corner of Grandstand/Midway throughout the Fair.
Bubble Bus … will be here two days spreading joy and bubbles to people of all ages. The Bubble Bus is the only mobile business of its kind with its interactive bubble-making magic. It provides a continuous sea of bubbles filling the air while playing pre-recorded music. Make sure to “pop” over to check it out on Saturday, August 23 and Saturday, August 30. It will be in action both days from 1 – 6 pm at the Southern Illinoisan Free Entertainment Tent.
DockDogs®… an organized canine aquatic dock diving show. This fun-filled event for dogs and their handlers includes the disciplines of Big Air – a long jump for Dogs, Speed Retrieve® – an Olympic-like sprint, swim, retrieve, for dogs, and Extreme Vertical® – a high jump for dogs, along with other events. This event will be held east of the Expo Drive. There will be competition and performances each day. See times for these events in the DSF Pocket Guide booklet.
… will be benefiting Region K Special Olympics athletes on Sunday, August 31. Each duck adoption purchased helps people with disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their potential in sports and in life. Their programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourages family and community support. This all-day event will begin at
1:00 pm on race day so come join in the family fun. A dump truck filled with rubber ducks will be on display. At 3:00 pm, a minimum of 5,000 duckies
splash into the pond and waddle their way to the finish line at the Expo Hall Lake.
Don’t forget to adopt your ducky!!
Helping Hands…is an agricultural education exhibit for kids located just outside the Expo Hall. Children (ages 3-10) become farm hands at this free, hands-on exhibit as they are provided the opportunity to experience the agricultural process, beginning at the farm and ending at the market. The children and their families don their work apron and fire up their imaginations to help with farm chores, collect goods to sell at the farmer’s market, and then spend their “earnings” on real products made from the farm at the grocery store.
Illinois Products Show … will be here three days only – Friday, August 29, 5 – 9 pm; Saturday, August 30, 11 – 8 pm; and Sunday, August 31, 11 – 5 pm. More than 15 vendors will be bringing free food samples, as well as kettle corn, soaps, lip balm, essential oil products, birdhouses, wood & gourd crafts, honey, jelly, salsa, seasonings, coffee, herbal tea and much more. Plus, there will be several Illinois wineries on board for wine tasting. Check out these vendors at the Expo Hall.
It's Showtime Folks! Car Show … Sunday, August 31 – inside Gate 1 on Main Street and Hayes Avenue. Registration 9 am – 1 pm. Show time at 2 pm. It’s always a great experience to view these classic cars while listening to music of the good ole days.
Luca Chainsaw Carving … specializes in chainsaw art carvings and a wide range of services. He does custom carvings, signs and on-site art which is his favorite. Luca can create stunning chainsaw signs to catch the attention of passersby and add a touch of rustic charm to any setting. Opening around 11 am with ongoing demonstrations each day at the corner of Midway/Hayes Avenue near the Walk-in Plaza.
Nathan’s Spray Monay… is an award-winning and recognized spray paint artist. Nathan Bassett is known as the “Spray Monay – Rattle Can Ninja of the Midwest.” How fast can you paint a picture? In just five minutes he will entertain and wow you with his live performance art. He will be located on Grandstand west providing 6 daily performances with a free painting to be given away at each performance. Come experience this August 22 at 5 pm. Check out the Du Quoin State Fair Pocket Guide for a more detailed schedule.
Polka Dot Entertainment … features Penelope Fratelli and Peter Brunette who are professional, stupendous strolling experts while on stilts!! You can see them participating in the parade on August 22. They will also be providing strolling entertainment throughout the fair. You won’t want to miss their “Don’t Try This at Home Show” – a comedy magic and escape show. In addition, each is an accomplished solo performer. They work together to make each other better. Each will be forming their own solo shows on Main Street north (on the Asphalt Pad). See the DSF Pocket Guide for a more detailed time schedule.
Peter’s One-Man Danger Circus Spectacular … Polka Dot Entertainer, Peter Brunette, provides a family-friendly memorable experience. He creates a high energy comedy juggling and stunt show on a tight rope! Providing a variety of thrilling acts, his audiences will be captivated throughout the performance. See his unique entertainment on Main Street north (on the asphalt pad). Check out the DSF Pocket Guide for daily times.
Poppin Penelope … Polka Dot Entertainer, Penelope Fratelli, is a world-famous balloon artist, and an incredible magician & escape artist. Her hilarious magic show is sure to entertain both children and adults. There will be scheduled times for her shows, face painting, giant bubbles, and much more on Main Street north (on the asphalt pad). More detailed time schedules can be found in the DSF Pocket Guide
The Rusty Truck Vintage Market … consists of a group of local small businesses that will have their unique items available for purchase. Craft boutiques, handmade signs, tumblers, food, freeze-dried candy, soaps and candles, just to name a few, will be available for your viewing. The “vintage market” will be located at the 1st and 2nd Heat buildings on Friday, August 22 from 5 – 10 pm; Saturday, August 23 from 12 – 10 pm; and Sunday, August 24 from 12 – 8 pm. Don’t miss out on these 3 days to help support local small businesses. You never know what treasure you might find!
Scronce Art … is a local caricature artist. Erin Scronce uses her Facebook page to showcase her art and projects done for others. She will be creating quick 10-minute drawings during the Fair. Stop by and check out her artwork and you could become her next project. She will be located across the street from the Grandstand. A more detailed schedule is in the Du Quoin State Fair Pocket guide.
Show-Me Safari’s Petting Zoo … is family-owned and provides the public with an opportunity to interact with a variety of animals in a safe, educational environment. The interactive area allows you to meet some wonderful farm animals. Feed is available to purchase. Pony rides are also available for our youngest fairgoers to enjoy. This complete petting zoo is fun for the entire family. Show-Me Safari is located on Expo Drive and will open at 4:00 pm on August 22 and 11am the rest of the fair.
Wander Community Arts … is a free interactive art display located at the SIU Dome on Main Street north. Kids, as well as adults, can create, learn and express your creativity through art. It will be open on Monday – Friday: 5 – 9 pm; Saturday – Sunday 11 am – 10 pm; and Labor Day 11 am – 8 pm.
Footer
Be the First to Know
Click here to sign up to receive emails with concert announcements, events, competitions and DSF news.
