The Marching Salukis will be among the participants at the Du Quoin State Fair Twilight Parade. (SIU Carbondale photo)
August 14, 2025
SIU to showcase programs, offerings at Du Quoin State Fair
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The full force of Saluki maroon will be everywhere starting next week as Southern Illinois University Carbondale showcases its programs and services to the region and beyond at the 2025 Du Quoin State Fair.
From the Aug. 22 Twilight Parade, the SIU Day/Coal Heritage Day on Aug. 30 and a new feature throughout the 10-day fair — Saluki Central — the roundhouse in front of the main grandstand, fairgoers will quickly know that they are in Saluki country.
The fair runs Aug. 22 through Labor Day, Sept. 1. The fairgrounds are open from noon to midnight.
“The Du Quoin State Fair is a great opportunity to share the excitement of what’s happening on our campus with people in our own backyard,” said Sarah VanVooren, director of Events and Outreach.
This year’s SIU attractions are:
Aug. 22 Twilight Parade
Chancellor Austin Lane, the 175-member Marching Salukis, Saluki Spirit teams, Dawg Pound members and WSIU will all be a part of the Twilight Parade that begins at 6 p.m. inside the fairgrounds. Former SIU System President Glenn Poshard will serve as grand marshal.
Saluki Central at the Fair
Adorned with Saluki maroon flags and banners, Saluki Central will be the place to go for information about SIU Carbondale. The SIU Alumni Association will provide information and swag, University Bookstore will have all Saluki apparel and gifts, Saluki Athletics will feature ticket promotions and sales and information on upcoming seasons, and WSIU and the Daily Egyptian student-run newspaper will have giveaways. Other campus units and departments in the roundhouse at various times will include the Office of Innovation and Economic Development, STEM Education Research Center and University Communications and Marketing.
The STEM Education Research Center will also host Spaceship Earth, located next to the roundhouse, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 23, 24 and 30, and from 4-9 p.m. Aug. 29.
Aug. 30 SIU Day
SIU activities will be from noon to 3 p.m. in the air-conditioned Second Heat building, located on Midway Drive across from the walk-in plaza (Gates 5-6) and an adjacent outdoor area.
Parking is free for all SIU students, faculty and staff with valid ID. Everyone is encouraged to have fun and wear maroon.
Activities will include:
- Jim and Vicki Blair of Energy and their saluki dogs will be available for a meet-and-greet and photos.
- Agricultural Systems and Education will demonstrate a UV fresh solar cooler.
- Center for Wildlife Sustainability Research will feature a wildlife station showing mammal pelts, skulls and information about wildlife in Southern Illinois, along with program information.
- College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences will feature its forestry and horticulture
- Daily Egyptian will have information about the university’s student-run newspaper.
- Electrical and Computer Engineering will showcase research funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that explores the use of artificial intelligence techniques to detect and classify the wilting levels of soybean plants in response to climate change.
- Office of Information and Economic Development will present information on the various programs it offers.
- School of Agricultural Sciences and School of Earth Systems and Sustainability will have hands-on geology and agriculture activities.
- School of Physics and Applied Physics will have hands-on physics activities, including a solar telescope.
- School of Psychological and Behavioral Sciences will have information on current faculty research, a few neuroscience and behavior demonstrations, and program information.
- SIU Alumni Association will have giveaways.
- SIU Equestrian Team, a registered student organization, will share information about the team and have informational material and team merchandise.
- SIU School Medicine-Family and Community Medicine will have an information table.
- Social Cognitive Development Lab will have brochures and pamphlets and indoor activities, including a ball tossing game.
- STEM Education Research Center will have outdoor samples of interactive school and community engagement programs.
- Student Affairs will have giveaways, informational handouts and campus representatives.
- Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center will have yard games.
- Undergraduate Admissions will have an information table.
- University Honors Program will have an information table to reflect the enhanced Saluki experience.
- WSIU will offer PBS Kids giveaways and host games outside the building.
- Additional information is available on SIU Carbondale’s Events and Outreach website.