The Du Quoin State Fair gets underway today in Du Quoin. The Moo Moo Classic serves as the unofficial opening of the Fair.

Local celebrities will compete for the title of Milking Champion of the state fair on Thursday. The 3 p.m. event will be at the C Bar Land and Cattle Pavilion.

Each contestant has three minutes to extract as much milk as possible from a reluctant dairy cow. It requires skill and trust on the part of the animal.

Parking and admission are free Thursday. Visitors may stop by the Grandstand to purchase a reduced-price carnival armband for one day of unlimited rides. The $20 armband increases to $25 on Friday when the fair opens.

The fairgrounds will be open from 2 p.m. to Midnight. The carnival will be open from 4 to 10 p.m.

The ribbon cutting ceremony to open the fair begins at 5:30 with the Twilight Parade getting underway at 6 entirely inside the fairgrounds.

The fair will have lots of events going on for everyone to enjoy now through Labor Day. To find out more, go to duquoinstatefair.net.