August 29, 2013

Media Advisory – Food and Wine Products Show

The 2013 Illinois Food and Wine Products Show at the Du Quoin State Fair presents several opportunities for media coverage.

Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the ribbon cutting, the show and the live cooking demonstrations.  The show is sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center/International Trade Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the Illinois Department of Agriculture. 

Located in the air-conditioned Exposition Hall, the show allows fairgoers to view, sample and buy a variety of Illinois foods, wines and products, as well as see guest chefs present live cooking demonstrations using local foods and wines.  The show will feature about 30 food and distillery products, along with wines from participating Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners wineries. 

Ceremonies to officially open the food and drink show will be at 11:45 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 31. Robert F. Flider, Illinois Department of Agriculture director, along with local dignitaries, are expected to attend.  The products show runs from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1. 

Members of the media are welcome to visit the show during those hours, or to cover or conduct live remotes from the cooking demonstrations that started earlier in the week, in conjunction with the full weekend show. The live cooking demonstrations all take place on the Exposition Hall stage, and are:

  • Thursday, Aug. 29 -- 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Aug. 30 -- 5 and 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 31 -- Noon and 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 1 -- 1 and 6 p.m.

Located at SIU Carbondale, the Illinois Small Business Development Center/International Trade Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

For more information about the Entrepreneurship and Business Development unit and programs the Illinois Small Business Development Center/International Trade Center offers, call 618/536-2424, or visit www.siusbdc.com.