August 10, 2004
Saluki fans, exhibits, demonstrations featured
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale will be putting on the "dawg" during the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, which opens its 10-day run on Friday, Aug. 13.
The immensely popular handheld Saluki fans return for a fourth consecutive year. Collectors will want to get their hands on the new version, which features the visage of a brindle Saluki named Ronnie, owned by Ellie Case of Decatur.
And be sure to bring the family and friends by for an instant digital photo alongside our two-legged, life-size Saluki mascot in full graduation regalia. Photos will be available between 1 and 5 p.m. every day of the fair.As an added treat, Ronnie will greet fairgoers on the afternoon of Sunday, Aug. 22, in the SIU tent, which is across the street from the Illinois Fire Services Museum and next to the Emmerson Building.
Giveaways will run the gamut from colorful paw print tattoos, chip clips and window clings to jar grippers, tote bags and more. There will be a drawing for an autographed Saluki basketball at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20, and a drawing for an autographed Saluki football at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21.
Special daily presentations, most between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., will feature different SIUC programs and people.
- Friday, Aug. 13: Faculty from both the aviation and automotive technology programs will greet visitors and talk about the future of their respective industries. Also, get a rare, up-close peek at an airplane cockpit and automotive gear. Free balsa wood gliders and other freebies for the kids. Staffed by faculty from the Aviation Management, Technology and Flight Department, and the Automotive Technology program, both in the College of Applied Sciences and Art.
- Saturday, Aug. 14: Formula One race team captain, student Jennie Rivers, and members of her team will showcase their single-driver, open-wheeled auto, which competes annually in Michigan. Check out the team's race gear and learn about programs within the sponsoring College of Engineering.
- Sunday, Aug. 15: SIUC recycling coordinator Andilee Warner, with SIUC Plant and Service Operations, will introduce visitors to the magic of recycling leftover foods through composting. Kids will delight seeing Warner's bucket of partners, real earthworms.
- Monday, Aug. 16: Staff from the School of Dental Medicine will provide free dental screenings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Also, University Museum curator Lorilee Huffman will help youngsters "Name that Artifact," a hands-on activity featuring a variety of collectables. Sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts.
- Tuesday, Aug. 17: Meet Charles Ruffner, faculty sponsor, and members of the Saluki Fire Dawgs, a student fire fighting team that specializes in controlling and eradicating forest fires. Also, check out their limber, nozzle-equipped ATV and get your own Fire Dawg team patch and sticker. Sponsored by the College of Agricultural Sciences and its forestry department.
- Wednesday, Aug. 18: Guard your health with free health care screenings and information, courtesy of faculty and staff from the School of Medicine.
- Thursday, Aug. 19: See a robot designed by students in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts' Information Management Systems. Kids 12-18 may register to win their very own robotics kit, to be given away later in the day through a drawing.
- Friday, Aug. 20: Jon Davey, an associate professor of architecture and interior design, brings assemble-on-the-spot geodesic dome kits and provides assistance to those who need it. Also, register for your chance to win an autographed Saluki basketball, to be given away in a 5 p.m. drawing.
- Saturday, Aug. 21: Young artists will transform lumps of wet clay into vessels and pots on a portable, electric potters wheel. Courtesy of the College of Liberal Arts' School of Art & Design. Also, register for your chance to win an autographed Saluki football, to be given away in a 5 p.m. drawing.
- Sunday, Aug. 22: Meet the Saluki, Ronnie, pictured on this year's fans, from 2 to 4 p.m.