Kevin Gordon says he can’t come out of retirement for baseball, but he sure can for the Illinois State Fair. Says the former professional baseball player — and former Illinois State Fair manager, “The only thing my right shoulder’s good for now is telling me when it’s gonna rain or snow!”

What Gordon does have today is a wealth of experience at the Illinois State Fair, where he worked from 2000 to 2017, serving in procurement, personnel, grandstand contracts, advertising, events and more. He was named manager of the 2016 and 2017 state fairs before retiring in December 2017. That experience was exactly what Illinois Department of Agriculture Director John Sullivan needed.

“I’m the one person at the department that has the least amount of experience in putting on the fair,” Sullivan says. “And I really thought it was important to get someone who understood the fair and had some knowledge of it.”

Sullivan talked to everyone he could find, from staff to previous state fair managers. When he asked what a good state fair manager did right, Gordon’s name kept coming up. “I heard it over and over: Kevin understood this, Kevin did that, Kevin had the institutional knowledge.”

Sullivan says he realized it could be helpful to get one state fair under his belt before locking in a long-term manager — and decided Gordon was the man to get the department through its first state fair. With the governor’s blessing, Sullivan ultimately offered Gordon a six-month contract to manage the 2019 Illinois State Fair. He started last week, launching into back-to-back meetings and decisions.

“Reaction has been extremely positive from within the fair division, and as word has gotten out across the state, it’s been equally positive,” Sullivan says. 

Reinvest and resurge

Back on the fairgrounds again, Gordon sees what every other visitor will see: a resurgence.

“When I left, the fairgrounds was crumbling around me,” he says, pointing to the Coliseum, the roofs, the multipurpose arena, the roads and more.

“With the influx of monies out here, now I have the opportunity to look out the window 20 times a day and smile when I look at the Coliseum. There’s a resurgence at the fairgrounds, and I’m really excited to be part of that.”

Gordon grew up in Morris, Ill., working on farms for summer jobs. He attended Joliet Junior College and Eastern Illinois University before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he played for five years. He met his wife at EIU and they settled in her hometown of Springfield, Ill., where he then went to work for the state. Since his retirement in December 2017, he and his wife have traveled, enjoyed family and welcomed their first grandchild. “And I learned three chords on the guitar and did about 15 years of yard work!” he says, laughing.

New in 2019?

Sullivan doesn’t expect to make many changes at the 2019 state fair. He wants to highlight renovations and reinvestment on the grounds, and will incorporate that idea into this year’s fair theme. He also wants to recognize the agricultural portion of the fair while expanding attendance in other areas.

“We want individuals from all walks of life to find something they enjoy and can experience,” he says. “The ag sector is important to me, but we need to broaden our audience for the longevity and success of the fair.”

Sullivan does not plan to change testing or sale procedures for junior livestock champions this year. Two Sale of Champions animals were disqualified following the 2018 state fair after urine analysis showed the presence of drugs not approved for their species of market animals.

“It’s not a perfect system. Some think the requirements are too stiff, some think they could be stiffer. Everybody has an opinion,” Sullivan reflects, adding that he’ll likely revisit the guidelines in the fall.  

Meet Du Quoin’s new manager

Further south, the Du Quoin State Fair also has a new manager. Sullivan named Josh Gross, who was twice elected as Perry County clerk, to manage the fair.

“I look forward to continuing to serve the community and surrounding region in this role and showcasing what the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds has to offer,” Gross says.

“Josh is quite impressive and has a lot of business experience there, and a lot of experience as county clerk,” Sullivan says of Gross, who has a background as a financial adviser and business store manager, thus bringing both public and private sector experience.

“We’re going to have some capital money resources there to do some work on the fairgrounds,” Sullivan adds. “I think we have some tremendous opportunities to grow that fair.”