Accessibility

The Department of Agriculture wants every Fairgoer to have the best experience possible. This section contains information about some of the physical spaces on the Fairgrounds, and accessibility and reasonable accommodation.

The Du Quoin State Fairgrounds is 1200 acres and includes steep inclines. Terrain is not always even, and includes paved roadways and sidewalks, grass, and gravel. The Department makes best efforts to safely and properly cover extension cords, and clean roadways and sidewalks regularly, but cords (and their coverings) and livestock-related debris may be present throughout the Fairgrounds. Please feel free to bring to our attention any issues or concerns noted while on the Fairgrounds.

Any Fairgoer with questions about accessibility services not identified below should contact the Department of Agriculture’s ADA Coordinator at Heather.Humphrey@Illinois.gov.

Please see below for further details and links to additional information about accessibility assistance on the Fairgrounds:

• Accessible parking, with a valid placard, can be found in the following locations: Gate 1 (North and South side of fairgrounds), South Gate off Illinois State Route 14.
• Most restrooms and buildings on the fairgrounds are accessible.
• A map of accessible parking locations and restrooms can be found here.
• Motorized wheelchairs are available for rent at the Tru Bilt Walk in Plaza, between Gates 5 and 6 on Bob Green Drive.
• American Sign Language Interpreters American Sign Language Interpreters will be arranged for a Grandstand concert when requested sufficiently in advance. Ticket buyers should notify the Du Quoin State Fair at the time of purchase of the request for an interpreter. All requests should be made by July 31. Best efforts will be made to provide an interpreter if one is requested after that date, but Department cannot guarantee the service after that.

Service Animals

• Pets, emotional support animals, and therapy animals are not permitted on the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds outside of camping areas and State Fair competitions.  The definition of “service animal” is limited to a dog or miniature horse. 
• Service animals are permitted on the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, in compliance with the criteria outlined in this Section.
• Fairgoers bringing service animals to the Fairgrounds are strongly encouraged to contact the Du Quoin State Fair Office at 618-542-1595 prior to arriving at the Fairgrounds, so the Department can provide credentials for the Fairgoer and obtain the required information about the service animal.
• Owners that intend to bring their service animal to the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds must register with the Department. A lanyard with accessibility credentials will be provided to the service animal’s owner/handler at the time of registration.

• Registration requirements:
  • Service dogs must have a current rabies inoculation. Proof must be provided to the Department when obtaining service animal credentials, and handlers should be able to provide proof of such upon request while at the Du Quoin State Fair. If your veterinarian has determined that your service animal cannot have a rabies inoculation, you must provide documentation from your veterinarian to the Department prior to arriving on the Fairgrounds.
  • Service animals must be under the control of their owner/handler at all times and must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered. If you are bringing a service animal to the Du Quoin State Fair and you utilize an alternate method of effective control, that information must be provided to the Department prior to arriving on the Fairgrounds.
  • After the Department has received the required information and confirmed it is current, the Department will make arrangements with the Fairgoer to pick up their accessibility credentials prior to the Fair.
• If you arrive on the Fairgrounds with a service animal and you have not registered in advance, proceed directly to the Central Cash Office, located inside the north end of the Grandstand, after entering the grounds to complete registration.
• Fairgoers with dogs on the Fairgrounds that do not have the accessibility lanyard will be approached to ascertain whether the dog is a service animal or not. If the dog is a service animal, the Fairgoer will be directed to the Central Cash Office to complete registration.

• Service Animals at Ticketed Events on the Fairgrounds
  • If you are attending a ticketed event with your service animal on the Fairgrounds (such as a Grandstand concert) please purchase tickets in the accessible seating areas or general admission/”standing room only” areas.
  • Service animals do not require their own ticket.
  • Due to the stadium seating style and narrow walk ways, service animals are not permitted in bleacher style seating at the Grandstand.

• Service animals that are disruptive and unable to be effectively controlled by their handlers may be required to leave the Fairgrounds.
• Owners/handlers are responsible for taking care of the service animal and all of its needs, including but not limited to food, water, protection from the elements, waste cleanup, and providing all necessary accessories/items for such.
• The Department strongly encourages service animals to wear vests or other highly visible accessories that identify them as service animals.