DECATUR — The 2024 Macon County Fair Queen Layla Hackert understands the anxiety a girl might have just before she walks on stage in front of many people.
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1985: In the first heat of the first race at the Decatur-Macon County Fair Monday night, pacers JT Message and Mystic Rainbow dueled for position and went down round the turn. Horses and drivers Pete Leu and John Hacker escaped injury, and the race continued as the sulkies were removed. Winner was Janitor Jac, owned by Jack Butts.
- Herald & Review file photo
1985: Good Nitie, owned by Rick Pearson of Willowbrook and being driven by Chuck Pearson, crosses the finish line a half-length winner over West Point Sue, owned and driven by Steve Morrison of Attica, Ind., in the second division pace for non-winners of $1,500 at the Decatur-Macon County Fair.
- Herald & Review file photo
1960: Out of the wilderness into Macon County came Abe Lincoln and his family in 1830. Shown is part of the procession depicting Lincoln's move from Spencer County, Ind. A few household furnishings may be seen in the wagon which is passing in front of an indian wigwam. This is part of the second scene of the Golden Prairie Pageant. A choir sings "Old Abe Lincoln Came Out of the Wilderness."
- Herald & Review file photo
1975: The new beef, dairy and hog barn at the Macon County Fairgrounds, named after Warren E. Myers, former Macon County senior extension adviser, agricultuer, had plenty of customers last week. Myers was responsible for starting the 4-H foundation in Macon County, the first in Illinois.
- Herald & Review file photo
1968: Hube Elliott, Decatur auctioneer and Superintendent of Speed for the Illinois State Fair harness races, jogs his filly Dayola in preparation for the Big Ten Colt stakes for 2-year-old trotters Sunday at the Decatur-Macon County Fair.
- Herald & Review file photo
1973: The half-mile dirt race track is the focal point of this aerial view of the Decatur-Macon County Fairground. The fair, which opened last Thursday closes Wednesday. The track is used for harness racing and various grandstand attractions. The carnival midway and other centers of entertainment are located south of the grandstand. This year the fair association is paying tribute to Melvin J. Nicol, retierd vocational-agriculture teacher at the Maroa-Forsyth Community Unit High School.
- Herald & Review file photo
1983: The eyes of the competitors, including Mark Cannedy of Pawnee, front right, are on the judge at a critical moment in a Hereford class at the Decatur-Macon County Fair on Saturday. The judge, left, is Ralph Danner of Muscatine Iowa.
- Herald & Review file photo
1983: Women at the track usually watch. Diana Beasley of Olney has a different view. Before the race, she ponders what it will take to win. Then she takes the lead in the first division of the Big Ten 2-year-old trot at the Decatur-Macon County Fair Saturday with Star Josie. She won by a head in 2:17 2/5 minutes. Star Josie previously won at Newton and at Albion. In addition to being the driver, Beasley is the part=owner (along with her father Doyle McKinney) and the trainer of Star Josie, top filly in the Egyptian Colt Stakes.
- Herald & Review file photo
1981: The Stolalrds take a break to have lunch in a barn at the fair. From left are William Stollard, sitting on the locker, his wife Pam, and children Matt, 7, and Adam, 5, along with friends J.C. Childress, 15, and Brent Spence. On the locker at right are John Walton and Jim Rade, both of Mount Zion.
- Herald & Review file photo
1980: Overly large animals will be featured as the Decatur-Macon County Fair opens its week-long run today. The animals are from the Star Farm in Lark, Wis., and are shown at many fairs during the summer season. The steer is a Holstein and weighs 3,500 lbs. The Belgium horse tips the scales at a hefty 2,700 pounds.
- Herald & Review file photo
1984: Eight-year-old Terra Edwards of Warrensburg of the Hickory Point Ag 4-H Club appears a bit bashful prior to her performance Monday in the 4-H Princess and Prince and Queen and King Contests at the Decatur-Macon County Fair.
- Herald & Review file photo
84 photos of the Macon County Fair from 1924 to today
Take a look back at the Macon County Fair.
1985: In the first heat of the first race at the Decatur-Macon County Fair Monday night, pacers JT Message and Mystic Rainbow dueled for position and went down round the turn. Horses and drivers Pete Leu and John Hacker escaped injury, and the race continued as the sulkies were removed. Winner was Janitor Jac, owned by Jack Butts.
- Herald & Review file photo
1985: Good Nitie, owned by Rick Pearson of Willowbrook and being driven by Chuck Pearson, crosses the finish line a half-length winner over West Point Sue, owned and driven by Steve Morrison of Attica, Ind., in the second division pace for non-winners of $1,500 at the Decatur-Macon County Fair.
- Herald & Review file photo
1960: Out of the wilderness into Macon County came Abe Lincoln and his family in 1830. Shown is part of the procession depicting Lincoln's move from Spencer County, Ind. A few household furnishings may be seen in the wagon which is passing in front of an indian wigwam. This is part of the second scene of the Golden Prairie Pageant. A choir sings "Old Abe Lincoln Came Out of the Wilderness."
- Herald & Review file photo
1975: The new beef, dairy and hog barn at the Macon County Fairgrounds, named after Warren E. Myers, former Macon County senior extension adviser, agricultuer, had plenty of customers last week. Myers was responsible for starting the 4-H foundation in Macon County, the first in Illinois.
- Herald & Review file photo
1973: The half-mile dirt race track is the focal point of this aerial view of the Decatur-Macon County Fairground. The fair, which opened last Thursday closes Wednesday. The track is used for harness racing and various grandstand attractions. The carnival midway and other centers of entertainment are located south of the grandstand. This year the fair association is paying tribute to Melvin J. Nicol, retierd vocational-agriculture teacher at the Maroa-Forsyth Community Unit High School.
- Herald & Review file photo
1983: Women at the track usually watch. Diana Beasley of Olney has a different view. Before the race, she ponders what it will take to win. Then she takes the lead in the first division of the Big Ten 2-year-old trot at the Decatur-Macon County Fair Saturday with Star Josie. She won by a head in 2:17 2/5 minutes. Star Josie previously won at Newton and at Albion. In addition to being the driver, Beasley is the part=owner (along with her father Doyle McKinney) and the trainer of Star Josie, top filly in the Egyptian Colt Stakes.
- Herald & Review file photo
1981: The Stolalrds take a break to have lunch in a barn at the fair. From left are William Stollard, sitting on the locker, his wife Pam, and children Matt, 7, and Adam, 5, along with friends J.C. Childress, 15, and Brent Spence. On the locker at right are John Walton and Jim Rade, both of Mount Zion.
- Herald & Review file photo
1980: Overly large animals will be featured as the Decatur-Macon County Fair opens its week-long run today. The animals are from the Star Farm in Lark, Wis., and are shown at many fairs during the summer season. The steer is a Holstein and weighs 3,500 lbs. The Belgium horse tips the scales at a hefty 2,700 pounds.
- Herald & Review file photo
Hackert
Donnette BeckettContact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR
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Do you know a person or group that exemplifies the best of the Decatur area? Contact Donnette Beckett at 217-421-6983 or dbeckett@herald-review.com.
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Donnette Beckett
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