DU QUOIN — On Monday afternoon, employees of North American Midway Entertainment worked hard to prepare for the opening of the carnival at 5 p.m. They cleaned the rides, wet the rock walkway to keep the dust down and set up the play booths.
Midway through the Du Quoin State Fair has received praise from fairgoers for its variety of rides and games, as well as cleanliness. Midway is being operated by North American Midway Entertainment this year.
Byron Hetzler
Pat Repp, manager of North American Midway Entertainment, said they work really hard to make sure they provide an enjoyable and safe carnival. Their priorities are providing good customer service and a good experience while keeping everyone safe.
In addition to the rides, Repp said the more than 100 people who are working the carnival and games are also safe. No employee goes to work for them until they undergo a background check and a drug test.
“If we can give people a good carnival experience and people feel safe, we’re successful,” Repp said.
A safety inspector has been on site at the fair since it opened.
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According to some fairgoers, the employees who run the games at the Du Quoin State Fair midway have been accommodating to younger children who want to test their skills.
Byron Hetzler
After the Du Quoin State Fair opened Friday night, people started posting on social media about the fairgrounds.
One post said it was the cleanest midway ever at the fair. Another talked about how friendly the carnival workers were.
A mother of a child on the autism spectrum wrote a long post about their experience at the Children’s Midway Carnival. The cabin operator allowed the child to push the floating toys into the water without charging the mother or scolding the child. That made the Du Quoin State Fair the ultimate family carnival experience, she said.
Fairgoers ride the Vertigo at the Du Quoin State Fair Midway Monday in Du Quoin.
Byron Hetzler
Repp also saw the Facebook post.
“Comments like this make me happy to know we’ve made someone’s day,” said Repp.
Repp said the employee will be given a pen and a monetary award. The employer worked over the weekend in Du Quoin and is leaving for another location Monday evening.
The Midway at the Du Quoin State Fair is being operated by North America Midway Entertainment this year and features new rides and games to entertain fairgoers.
Byron Hetzler
Repp said this is a good example of what a carnival can do for its visitors. No matter what is going on at home or on other days, the carnival is a place to have a good time and forget about those other matters. It makes a difference in the lives of people of all ages.
He said the company does the same for people at HerrinFesta Italiana, another local carnival hosted by North American Midway Entertainment.
The 100th annual Du Quoin State Fair has officially begun
People don’t realize how a carnival benefits their communities, Repp said. Their employees shop at local stores like Walmart and eat at local restaurants.
The carnival also purchases food and food service items. He said Fair Foods, which is located in Du Quoin, is one of the largest food providers in the country.
As a new vendor for the fair, Repp came to visit the fair in June.
“The fair is a great partner. Josh (Gross) does a great job,” Repp said. “They have a heck of a fair.
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