DU QUOIN – Governor JB Pritzker has announced that Dr. Glenn Poshard will serve as Grand Marshal for the 2025 Du Quoin State Fair Twilight Parade. The parade theme is “Adventure Awaits!”

Dr. Poshard has over 50 years of public service, serving as the President of Southern Illinois University (SIU) from 2006 to 2014. He formerly served as Vice Chancellor for Administration at SIU Carbondale and as chairman of the SIU Board of Trustees. 

A former high school teacher and Carbondale resident, he served more than four-and-a-half years as a state senator in the Illinois General Assembly and 10 years in Congress. In 1999, the White County native founded the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children in southern Illinois. The Foundation has engaged various individuals and agencies to prevent child abuse in 25 downstate communities and has raised over $10 million dollars in support of these children.  

“Glenn Poshard dedicated his life to public service through both elected and volunteer roles,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “His passion for the people of southern Illinois makes him uniquely deserving to serve as Grand Marshal for the annual Twilight Parade.”

“As a fixture in southern Illinois and a friend and mentor to many, Glenn Poshard has left his mark in ways both big and small,” said Jerry Costello II, Illinois Department of Agriculture Director. “Glenn is one of the true treasures of Southern Illinois. It’s an honor to have him serve as Grand Marshal of the Du Quoin State Fair where his roots run deep.”

The 2025 Twilight Parade will step off at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 22 from the south end of Grandstand Avenue and make its way to Main Street. From there, the parade will turn west on Main Street and continue to Pacer Avenue. The parade will turn south onto Pacer and exit Gate 6 back on to Bob Green Avenue.  

The 2025 Du Quoin State Fair will take place August 22 – September 1 in Du Quoin. Parking on the fairgrounds Friday, August 22 is free. Admission is free throughout the fair.