Illinois Governor Jim Edgar cuts the ribbon to officially open the 1991 Illinois State Fair while IAPD President Mike Curtis, left, IPRA President-Elect Terry Schwartz, Sen. John A. Davidson (R), Springfield, Governor Edgar's daughter, Elizabeth, his wife, Brenda, and Rep. Karen Hasara (R), Springfield, assist in the ceremony. After the ribbon was cut, Mike Curtis presented Fitness Is Leading The Way T-Shirts to Gov. and Mrs. Edgar. Schwartz presented a large scroll signed by all participants involved with the Fitness Is Leading The Way awareness campaign. Also on hand for the ceremony was U.S. Senator Paul Simon.

Illinois Parks and Recreation was again recognized in opening ceremonies of the 1991 Illinois State Fair. Governor Jim Edgar commented on the three fitness teams that jogged, walked and cycled to Springfield from Chicago, Carbondale and the Quad Cities carrying the ceremonial scissors and ribbon for the official opening of the Fair.

Fitness Is Leading The Way, an awareness project of the Joint Public Awareness Committee, completed its 11th year as part of the opening event. As the three fitness teams traveled throughout Illinois, many media interviews were held and hundreds of Illinois residents joined the teams as they passed through their towns. The purpose of the Fitness Is Leading The Way campaign is to stress fitness and promote the Illinois State Fair as a family recreational activity.

The following Saturday, Local Officials Day was held on the Director's Lawn at the Fairgrounds. Governor Edgar signed and vetoed selected pieces of legislation in front of more than 500 local officials who attended the annual event. The Governor told the crowd that local governments should "take more control in areas of taxation and assume more responsibility on the local level."

Illinois Parks and Recreation 18 September/October 1991

IAPD President Mike Curtis, left, spends a few minutes with U.S. Senator Paul Simon at the Illinois State Fair. Mike had Senator Simon's daughter in his 8th grade class some years ago in Carbondale, so they had more to talk about than just legislation.
The Fitness Is Leading The Way teams step-off as they "lead the way " to the main gate of the Illinois State Fairgrounds during the parade held the evening befor the official opening) ceremony.

IAPD Executive Director Dr. Ted Flickinger, CAE, second from right, gathers with Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Becky Doyle and other local officials to watch Governor Jim Edgar sign legislation at Local Officials Day held during the Illinois State Fair. IAPD staff members handed out ice cream, compliments of the Association, to local officials who attended.

IAPD President Mike Curtis, left, and IAPD Executive Director Dr. Ted Flickinger, CAE, right, meet with Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs Director Jan Grayson at the Illinois State Fair during Local Officials Day.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 19 September/October 1991