Leading the State Fair

With Heart and a Sprinkle of Fun

Rebecca Clark originally attended Lake Land College to jumpstart her dream career in TV broadcasting. Now, she’s using those skills to manage one of Illinois’ longest-running traditions: the Illinois State Fair.

CHASING DREAMS

Studying TV broadcasting was always an obvious choice for Rebecca, who as a kid used to host fake TV broadcasts for her family. She began her studies at Lake Land College before transferring to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to complete her degree in Communication and Political Science.

“I got my first peek into the world of radio and broadcasting at Lake Land,” Rebecca said. “Being able to learn in a no-pressure environment and confirm I was on the right path was huge for me.”

NEW BEGINNINGS

After graduating and spending several years working in TV, Rebecca began working with the Illinois Department of Agriculture and eventually became the State Fair Manager in 2022. In this role, she oversees a team of eight who coordinate the daily use of the 366-acre historic fairgrounds, as well as coordinating and operating the annual eleven-day celebration, from carnival rides to concerts to parades.

“I still use a lot of the same skills I did in broadcasting,” Rebecca explained. “The State Fair is an opportunity to tell the story of agriculture in Illinois, with a little fun sprinkled in.”

BREAKING BARRIERS

When Rebecca stood on stage in 2022 for her first ribbon-cutting ceremony, she took a moment to soak it all in. As just the second woman to ever hold the State Fair manager title, she realized how significant the moment was both to herself and to women all across the state.

“I want to be a good role model for my own daughters,” Rebecca explained. “But I also want people to see that you can be a working mom and be great in both roles.”

Photo courtesy of Prairie Farmer.