Love or hate them, we all have that home town that we grew up in. Some people may continue their future there, while others will leave and claim to never look back. However, there are individual items, landmarks, traditions, and ideas that will remind us all of where we came from. It is like the song, "Dirt," by Florida Georgia Line -- different events and memories will stay close to your heart forever and make you think back to the land or dirt that you grew up on and all the traditions you created with your friends that others may give you a crazy look when you tell them stories that only others from that region can relate to.Therefore, if you are from central Illinois, you will relate to the entirety of this article. Otherwise, you will give me that crazy look whenever you have no idea what I'm talking about. But, hey, it is worth the laugh!
1. Horseshoes! No, not the one on the bottom of a horse's foot.
Whenever you Google "horseshoe" this image will not appear, of course. However, if you put "hamburger horseshoe" this delicious image will appear. Numerous time I had to explain to "outsiders" what this meal even is. Bread and meat (not always hamburger) with fries and melted cheese drizzled on top. Very famous and Darcy's Pint in Springfield is well known for this concoction.
2. Mmm, the smell of Decatur, Ill.
As soon as you arrive into Decatur, you will get a whiff of a stench that some people say smells like stale fries. Delicious, right? Yep, this smell is produced by the factory of ADM. And, yes, whenever you work there the stench will follow you home!
3. Corn, corn -- hey! More corn!
Sorry, guys; not all of the United States can consist of beaches and palm trees and not all of Illinois is Chicago, which is filled with skyscrapers. Around here, corn fields (occasionally, bean) surround you left and right. The view on the highway is beautiful and quite entertaining with all of that corn! Even the majority of teenager's first jobs include detasseling corn.
4. Loud noises and smoke during the county fair is not unusual.
Some of you may get the hint, however I know some may be utterly confused, right now. The highlight of county fairs in Central Illinois tends to be demolition derbies and tractor pulls. Sounds thrilling, right? Which tractor can pull the most weight, and which car can keep running the longest after continuously crashing into each other? However, I am even guilty of attending these events.
5. Rivalries are at an all time high during baseball season.
Are you a Cardinals or Cubs fan? That is the ultimate question. I'm a die hard Cardinals fan, but we won't go there or into my obsession with Yadier Molina. However the rivalry gets even more heated than the hottest summer days in Illinois. Cardinals vs. Cubs games are the most wanted go to event, however at a high cost. Out of all rivalries, Cardinals and Cubs fans may be one of the most known throughout Illinois.
6. Our own names for games.
Most people would call this game bags. Nope, it is corn hole around here.
Ladder golf? That's too obvious. We call the game pictured hillbilly golf. Do not ask me why.
7. Sadly, tractors do not go the speed limit.
Tractors are every where, considering my previous point about the fields being every where you look. Therefore, you often get stuck behind a not so speedy tractor while driving. Yes, tractors even drive on the highways around here and no they do not even go near fifty-five.
8. Lol, deer, you can't see me.
Yes, camo.. However, camouflage is not only worn when hunting. Some people even wear it daily. My high school even had a "camo day" during homecoming spirit week. Furthermore, we probably all know that person who owns a camo recliner that happens to be insanely comfortable.
9. Snow is not always just for the winter.
It is not rare that spring season sports get cancelled due to snow. Half of the season the players are wearing layers of Under Armour in order to stay warm during the games. Fortunately, many of these sports have indoor teams.
10. We may not have skyscrapers, but we have farms. 
Hours away from Chicago, the skyscrapers tend to diminish. The tallest buildings in central Illinois are grain elevators around the local farm houses and barns.
11. "Hole in the Wall" restaurants.
These places may look like a dive, but you will not regret stopping in for a burger or a milkshake. In Taylorville, a little diner style restaurant called Bill's Toasty lays on the outskirts of the city square. This place is open 24 hours and is a must have. Similarly, a little drive away in Pawnee, Illinois is a similar restaurant right when you enter town called Kreckles. You will not regret giving them a shot!
12. Where did you say you're from?
Yes, I am from Illinois. No, I am not from Chicago. Where are you from is a dreaded question. Especially when you're from a small town that cities have no clue even exist. A go-to answer is "near Springfield." It works every time, trust me.
Even though, this article is full of jokes, Central Illinois is where I have lived my entire life. There may not be as much said excitement that a big city contains, but Central Illinois creates homes and unforgettable memories. You may move or venture out to the city or outside of Illinois one day, but your hometown will forever have a place in your heart and life.
