In Illinois we have two state fairs ... one in our capitol Springfield and a second one in Southern Illinois called the DuQuoin Stere Fair. This year, my daughter Nicole and I attended the Springfield State Fair to accept an award from State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka. She recognized folks who have worked in agritourism and our culinary destination project was a winner! It's hard to take a serious picture with Ms. Topinka ... she's a blast and we all love her for her efforts ... and her sense of humor! Just look at our picture in the sidebar! We'll attend the DuQuoin State Fair, too ... for several events including a Willie Nelson concert!
Here's a cute tablescape I set to celebrate state fair time! The whole table theme focused on a set of place mats and a table runner that I have used for 15 years! I get them out at least once a year! Look closely at these cuties .. all the elements of a perfect fair!
I wanted the centerpiece to pick up the colors in the placemats ... especially the cluster of balloons, so pink was a must! I surrounded the silk flower basket with other key elements of the fair ... the animals ... and the only blue ribbon I've ever won at the state fair! It was for a centerpiece that had a ceramic pig in it! My sister made me the cut out pig with her basket of apples .. .several years ago .. .but she finds her way to many tablescapes!
My dinnerware ... and especially the napkin .. mimic the fair foods ... pink cotton candy and lemon shake-ups! I don't eat cotton candy anymore, but still have at least one shake-up ... then I'm on a sugar high for three days! The dinnerware is Home Trends from JCPenny.
Now for the stars of the tablescape ... and of the state fairs in the Midwest ... Watkins, the extracts and seasonings folks ... and now they sell all kinds of cosmetic products, too! I have a collection of Watkins Kids plates ... and they are adorable. You'll see more of them this year at Halloween time .. but for now, take a look at these sweet little salad/dessert plates. They were made in 1991 ... and I love to use them!
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