Emma Eathington, a member of the Fairview Huskies 4-H Club in Fulton County, had a very unique experience this year before and during the Illinois State Fair. Emma is the daughter of Kevin and Patricia Eathington of rural Avon, and is a senior at Spoon River Valley High School. She has been a member of University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H Program for 10 years.
In October 2018, she entered a contest to re-name the Illinois State Fair Coliseum. The Coliseum had been unused for the last two summers, as it had been closed after the 2016 State Fair. Renovations were underway to make it safe to be used again as of 2019.
She thought about the contest for about a day, then decided on "Coliseum of Champions" as her submission for the new name. She recalled that before the Coliseum was condemned, the champion market animals were selected under that roof, which is where she got the idea for the name.
The day it was announced that she won the contest happened to be a snow day from school. She was washing heifers for their upcoming family sale. She came inside to get lunch and saw that she had over 30 notifications on her phone. Emma dropped her phone, she was so shocked and excited to see that she got to name a building that has so much meaning and symbolism to the Illinois State Fair. Two other young people from other parts of Illinois happened to submit the same idea, so there were three winners. As a prize, each one received a metal platter with their name and an engraving of the coliseum on it. They also received 10 free passes to get on and off the fairgrounds, as well as a mega pass for enjoying the rides.
At the State Fair in August there was a grand reopening. Emma was acknowledged and got to meet many of the people responsible for the Coliseum being renovated and reopened. She met the man who came up with the contest; the committee that selected the name; John Sullivan, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture; and Governor J.B. Pritzker. They were present at the ribbon-cutting, and people clapped and cheered. As soon as the ribbon-cutting ceremony was finished, she had to sprint back to the Junior Cattle barn in order to show her heifer. Throughout the day many people came up to her, congratulating her on this achievement. Some told her that she even made an appearance on several news station broadcasts. Later that afternoon, she received a call from John Sullivan's assistant, asking her to come meet them in the open Angus cattle barns. She and her Mom went to meet with them. They talked about her future goals, and he even complimented her on her favorite sunflower button-up shirt. Emma said this was an extremely cool and unforgettable experience.
Getting ready to begin her senior year in high school, she wanted to get her senior pictures taken in the Coliseum, so she took her heifer up to the arena and got some pictures in order to celebrate this accomplishment. She was excited to walk into the newly renovated Coliseum and see a banner that said "The Coliseum of Champions" in really big letters. That gave her a realization that she helped to name this building that many showmen strive to exhibit their livestock in someday. She made sure to watch the selection of champion market animals, and it did not disappoint. All of the junior exhibitors exhibiting in the Coliseum were just as proud to be there as Emma was to be watching the selection. Emma said that this past summer had many great memories, but the 2019 Illinois State Fair is sure one to remember.
For information on 4-H in Fulton County, call University of Illinois Extension at 309-547-3711.