Quincy Reporter

Country band Confederate Railroad has been pulled from the list of performers at the Du Quoin State Fair on Aug. 27 for its name and use of the Confederate flag.

The decision was first made public through a statement by Du Quoin State Fair manager Josh Gross that was published in the Du Quoin Weekly, though it was originally reported by the Southern Illinoisan.

“The Illinois Department of Agriculture has removed Confederate Railroad from our 2019 Du Quoin State Fair grandstand lineup,” Gross said in the statement. “While every artist has a right to expression, we believe this decision is in the best interest of serving all of the people in our state.”

Many Du Quoin citizens were outraged with the fair organizers’ action. A Facebook group titled #boycottduquoinstatefair was created following the announcement and currently holds more than 5,400 members. 

Travel House of Quincy owner Mecki Kosin blamed the issue on an oversensitivity about the use of the Confederate flag.

“I think political correctness has gone too far," Kosin told the Quincy Reporter. "They are a good country band and should be able to play any fair. We really need to start getting off the ‘I’m so offended’ train. How about thinking before speaking, treating others with respect and having some common sense?”

Kosin believes preventing the band from playing could cause the fair significant financial loss. 

Confederate Railroad originally formed in 1987 in Atlanta. None of the members have yet to make any comment on the cancellation.