Adams County Fair
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    • Exhibitors Pricing
    • General Rules
    • Ethics
    • Animal Health Requirements and Guidelines
    • Department A - Beef Cattle >
      • Department AA - Junior Beef
      • Pee Wee Calf Show
    • Department B - Dairy Cattle >
      • Department BB - Junior Dairy
    • Department F - Sheep >
      • Department FF - Junior Sheep
    • Department G - Swine >
      • Department GG - Junior Swine
    • Department I - Rabbits
    • Department J - Agriculture
    • Department K - Horticulture
    • Department L - Flowers
    • Department M - Textiles and Arts
    • Department N - Education
    • Department O - Culinary
    • Department Q - Truck and Tractor Pull
    • Department R - Horse Shows >
      • 12 & Under Pee Wee Horse Show
      • PONY PULL
      • Society and Open Horse Show
      • Speed Horse Show
      • Open Western Horse Show
      • Team Sorting
      • Team Roping
      • Ranch Hand Rodeo
      • 3 Head Sort N Pen
      • Horse Event Sponsors
    • Department U - Goats
    • Department Z - Rodeo
  • Schedule
    • FULL Fair Schedule of Events
    • Fair Schedule by interest
    • 2023 Grandstand Schedule
    • Thursday, July 27
    • Friday, July 28 >
      • Brandt Carmichael
    • Saturday, July 29 >
      • 2023 Concert Performers
    • Sunday, July 30
    • Monday, July 31
    • Tuesday, August 1
    • 4-H Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Map of Fair Grounds
  • Events for YOU!
    • The Grace Race 5K
    • Volleyball Tournament >
      • Youth Volleyball Brackets
    • Sweetheart of Adams County
    • Corn Hole Tournament
    • Little Miss and Mr >
      • Gifts for Little Miss and Mr
      • Be Like Grace Award
    • Kids Day Contests
    • Miss Adams County Fair Pageant >
      • Gifts for the Miss Adams County Fair
      • Miss Adams County Fair Eligibility
    • Junior Miss Adams County >
      • Meet Junior Miss Adams County
      • Gifts for Junior MIss Adams County
    • Miss Teen Adams County >
      • Meet Miss Teen Adams County
      • Gifts for Miss Teen Adams County
    • Karaoke Contest
    • Demolition Derby
    • 4-H Fight to the Finish
    • Baby Contest
    • Coloring Contest
  • Vendors
  • Tickets
  • Adams County Fair Memorial
  • Olde Tyme Area
  • Fair in Photos
    • 2019 Photos
    • 2018 Photos
    • 2017 Photos
    • 2016 Fair Photos >
      • About the Cover
      • 2016 Frozen Tea Party Photos
    • 2015 Fair Photos >
      • 2015 Pics - Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - Pageant Night
      • 2015 Pics - Thursday, July 30th
      • 2015 Pics - Friday, July 31st 2015
      • 2015 Pics - Saturday, August 1 2015 >
        • 2015 Pics - Monday, August 3, 2015
        • 2015 Pics - Tuesday, August 4, 2015 >
          • 2015 Pics - More video
          • 2015 Frozen Tea party
    • 2014 Adams County Fair Photos
  • Digital Billboard
  • One Room School House Raffle
  • About Our Fair
  • Contact Us
  • Camping
  • Fairground Rental
  • 2023 Fair Book ONLINE

The Adams County Fair Remembers Leslie and Mary Phillips

Leslie, the son of Kyle and Geneva Phillips, purchased his first registered jersey, Fauvic Fairy Cherry Blossom, from Funk Jerseys in 1932.  He was only 10 years old.  Ninety years later, her genetics are still present in his daughter’s herd.
Picture
Leslie Phillips, age 10 with Fauvic Fairy Cherry Blossom
After serving in the Pacific during World War II, Leslie returned home to his wife Mary and the family farm in Pike County. In 1957, the family moved to Clayton, Ill.  That year, they began showing at the Adams County Fair and the family has not missed a year since except for the Covid-19 cancellation.  All his children (Duane, Donald, Dennis, and Donna) showed as did his grandchildren.  Leslie showed every year until his death in 2013. At every fair until her death in 2008, Mary sat in the bleachers watching and supporting her family.  Though never showing herself, she was always there sometime even with a pitchfork in her hand.  2023 will be the 66th year at least one member of the family has shown Jerseys at the Adams County Fair.
Picture
Leslie and Wheaties Supreme and Grand Champion
But, more than showing, the family has also mentored many 4-H children through showing and care of cattle.  Leslie was a 4-H leader for over 25 years where he helped numerous 4-H children exhibit various projects as well as encouraging and teaching his own children.
Picture
Leslie with Erin (granddaughter) and children Donna, Denny, Donald and Duane with their Champion Display
Currently, Duane breeds, raises calves, and shows at Adams County and Illinois State Fairs while Donna has a registered Jersey farm in Wisconsin where half the herd can trace their origins back to that farm in Clayton including several that trace back to that first 4-H calf.  The registered herd that began in 1932 grew to have several champions, production awards, and there have been 8 bulls placed in stud.
Picture
Mary and Leslie Phillips on September 13, 1997 at Donna and Dan’s wedding.
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  • Home
  • Sponsors
  • Carnival
  • Family Fun Zone
  • Deals
  • Exhibitors
    • Exhibitors Pricing
    • General Rules
    • Ethics
    • Animal Health Requirements and Guidelines
    • Department A - Beef Cattle >
      • Department AA - Junior Beef
      • Pee Wee Calf Show
    • Department B - Dairy Cattle >
      • Department BB - Junior Dairy
    • Department F - Sheep >
      • Department FF - Junior Sheep
    • Department G - Swine >
      • Department GG - Junior Swine
    • Department I - Rabbits
    • Department J - Agriculture
    • Department K - Horticulture
    • Department L - Flowers
    • Department M - Textiles and Arts
    • Department N - Education
    • Department O - Culinary
    • Department Q - Truck and Tractor Pull
    • Department R - Horse Shows >
      • 12 & Under Pee Wee Horse Show
      • PONY PULL
      • Society and Open Horse Show
      • Speed Horse Show
      • Open Western Horse Show
      • Team Sorting
      • Team Roping
      • Ranch Hand Rodeo
      • 3 Head Sort N Pen
      • Horse Event Sponsors
    • Department U - Goats
    • Department Z - Rodeo
  • Schedule
    • FULL Fair Schedule of Events
    • Fair Schedule by interest
    • 2023 Grandstand Schedule
    • Thursday, July 27
    • Friday, July 28 >
      • Brandt Carmichael
    • Saturday, July 29 >
      • 2023 Concert Performers
    • Sunday, July 30
    • Monday, July 31
    • Tuesday, August 1
    • 4-H Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Map of Fair Grounds
  • Events for YOU!
    • The Grace Race 5K
    • Volleyball Tournament >
      • Youth Volleyball Brackets
    • Sweetheart of Adams County
    • Corn Hole Tournament
    • Little Miss and Mr >
      • Gifts for Little Miss and Mr
      • Be Like Grace Award
    • Kids Day Contests
    • Miss Adams County Fair Pageant >
      • Gifts for the Miss Adams County Fair
      • Miss Adams County Fair Eligibility
    • Junior Miss Adams County >
      • Meet Junior Miss Adams County
      • Gifts for Junior MIss Adams County
    • Miss Teen Adams County >
      • Meet Miss Teen Adams County
      • Gifts for Miss Teen Adams County
    • Karaoke Contest
    • Demolition Derby
    • 4-H Fight to the Finish
    • Baby Contest
    • Coloring Contest
  • Vendors
  • Tickets
  • Adams County Fair Memorial
  • Olde Tyme Area
  • Fair in Photos
    • 2019 Photos
    • 2018 Photos
    • 2017 Photos
    • 2016 Fair Photos >
      • About the Cover
      • 2016 Frozen Tea Party Photos
    • 2015 Fair Photos >
      • 2015 Pics - Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - Pageant Night
      • 2015 Pics - Thursday, July 30th
      • 2015 Pics - Friday, July 31st 2015
      • 2015 Pics - Saturday, August 1 2015 >
        • 2015 Pics - Monday, August 3, 2015
        • 2015 Pics - Tuesday, August 4, 2015 >
          • 2015 Pics - More video
          • 2015 Frozen Tea party
    • 2014 Adams County Fair Photos
  • Digital Billboard
  • One Room School House Raffle
  • About Our Fair
  • Contact Us
  • Camping
  • Fairground Rental
  • 2023 Fair Book ONLINE