Springfield
Illinois
Illinois State Fair
About
The Illinois State Fair has been celebrated nearly every year since 1953 as a showcase for Illinois agriculture. Today, the Illinois State Fair is one of the largest agricultural fairs in the country. In addition to livestock shows and auctions, the Illinois State Fair also features free entertainment stages, exciting harness races, thrilling carnival rides, great food, and much more!
Recent News
Illinois State Fair 2023
The 2023 Illinois State Fair. The Fairgrounds are open from 7 a.m. to Midnight for the duration of the Fair. The Fair Administration Office is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the fair. August 10, 2023 County Fair and Horse Racing Day This is…
Read More »Illinois State Fair 2023
The 2023 Illinois State Fair. The Fairgrounds are open from 7 a.m. to Midnight for the duration of the Fair. The Fair Administration Office is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the fair. August 10, 2023 County Fair and Horse Racing Day This is…
Read More »Old Dominion Returns to the Illinois State Fair as Agriculture Day Headliner
Special Guest to be Announced SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Fair is excited to announce Old Dominion will headline the Illinois Lottery stage on Friday, August 11th. The 5X CMA and 5X ACM Award winning band is coming off a…
Read More »Alter Bridge with Mammoth WVH to Rock the Illinois State Fair Grandstand Stage on Governor’s Day
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Fair will welcome rock groups Alter Bridge and Mammoth WVH on Wednesday, August 16 on the Illinois Lottery Grandstand stage. Alter Bridge has steadily climbed to the forefront of rock worldwide. The band is…
Read More »Illinois Product Expo Returns First Weekend in March
Springfield, IL – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) will host the 24th Illinois Product Expo, March 4th and 5th in the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The Illinois Product Expo has brought Illinois food companies…
Read More »Illinois State Fair Announces 2023 Theme Days
Agriculture Day Moves to First Friday Springfield, IL – The Illinois State Fair is excited to announce new theme and discount days for 2023. Changes have been made from theme days in years past. County Fairs and Horse Racing Day will start it…
Read More »Illinois Natives REO Speedwagon Return to the Illinois State Fair Grandstand Stage
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Lottery Grandstand will be rocking when REO Speedwagon returns to the Illinois State Fair on Tuesday, August 15.The group, which was loosely formed in the late 1960’s at the University of Illinois, has been…
Read More »Illinois State Fair Announces Grammy Award Winning Artist Maren Morris Will Headline Illinois Lottery Grandstand
Springfield, IL – The Illinois State Fair is proud to announce Grammy winning, Platinum-certified and CMA award-winning artist Maren Morris will headline the Illinois Lottery Grandstand at the 2023 Illinois State Fair on Saturday, August 19,…
Read More »Illinois State Fair Mega and Jumbo Pass Holiday Sale Begins
Springfield, IL -- The Illinois State Fair is kicking off the holiday season with the annual Mega and Jumbo Pass holiday sale. For a limited time, you can save $30 off the purchase price. The Illinois State Fair will be offering a Holiday Special…
Read More »2022 Illinois State Fair Attendance Sets All-Time Record
Highest Grandstand Revenue of All-Time SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Fair has released estimated attendance totals for 2022. Over 636,700 visitors walked through the gates this year making it the highest attended fair since…
Read More »The 2022 Illinois State Fair Featured More Than Great Weather
Official Attendance Numbers in the Coming Weeks SPRINGFIELD, IL – The bow has been tied on the 2022 Illinois State Fair. While it will be a few weeks before official audited attendance numbers will be available, there are several factors…
Read More »Tech Prairie STEAM Expo to Exhibit Illinois Innovators
Illinois State Fair attraction opens Aug. 17 in Orr Building SPRINGFIELD – The second annual Tech Prairie STEAM Expo is set to open on Wednesday, Aug. 17 in the Orr Building showcasing interactive exhibits and events highlighting the use…
Read More »Free COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing, Oral Health Exams for Kids and Other Healthcare Services Available at State Fair
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging the public to get up-to date with free COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots while visiting the Illinois State Fair August 12-21. IDPH is partnering with health care…
Read More »Illinois EPA State Fair Exhibit Promotes Water Quality Educationand Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John J. Kim announced the Agency’s participation in the 2022 Illinois State Fair exhibits. This year’s Illinois EPA exhibit is themed “Now Streaming –…
Read More »Big Cars Return to Illinois State Fair for 89th Time
Springfield, IL - Auto Racing is the traditional day time entertainment of the last weekend of the Illinois State Fair, starting with the 89th scheduled appearance of the open wheel championship machines now known as the Silver Crown Cars of the…
Read More »County Fairs and Horse Racing Day Highlights Illinois Horses and Giveaways at State Fair Harness Races
All Races Will Feature Illinois Horses SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Fair Grandstand hosted harness racing to kick off the 2022 grandstand calendar on Thursday, August 11. Whether you’re a horse racing enthusiast or…
Read More »2022 Illinois State Fair Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
WHAT: Governor JB Pritzker, Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II and other state and local dignitaries, come together to celebrate the opening of the 2022 Illinois State Fair on Thursday, August 11 at 3:00pm. Following the…
Read More »2022 Butter Cow Unveiled
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Fair officials unveiled the treasured Butter Cow today in the Dairy Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Using the theme “Grow with Us,” sculptor Sarah Pratt’s creation brings together…
Read More »‘Grow With Us’ at Conservation World at the 2022 Illinois State Fair
IDNR’s popular Conservation World open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, Aug. 12-21 SPRINGFIELD – From 3D archery and butterfly tagging to canoe rides and Copi sampling, families are invited to enjoy the fun and excitement of the outdoors at…
Read More »Visit IDOI at the 2022 Illinois State Fair for Consumer Tips on Insurance
Chicago – The Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) table is in the Lieutenant Governor’s tentat the 2022 Illinois State Fair. IDOI staff will provide information about various types of insurance, from health and homeowners to auto and…
Read More »Treat Your Taste Buds To Food From Around The World With Small Plates, Big Tastes
Feeding Frenzy Food Special Returns for 2022 SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Village of Cultures has become a staple at the Illinois State Fair. It’s a location on the fairgrounds where you can travel the world through your taste buds, but often…
Read More »Veterans and Gold Star Families Day at the 2022 Illinois State Fair
Veterans and Gold Star Families Day at the 2022 Illinois State Fair Free admission for veterans and immediate family on Sunday, August 14 Springfield - The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA), the Illinois Department of…
Read More »Illinois State Fair To Offer Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Charging Station provided through Sunrun Sponsorship SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Fair along with Governor JB Pritzker, announced that an electric vehicle (EV) charging station will be provided for fairgoers courtesy of a sponsorship…
Read More »Ice Cream Social Kick Starts Harness Racing on Opening Day
First 100 Kids Receive a Stick Horse SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Fair Grandstand will host harness racing to kick off the 2022 grandstand calendar on Thursday, August 11. The first post time is set for 12 p.m. noon with an ice cream…
Read More »$2 Tuesday at the Illinois State Fair
Discount Admission Booklets Available For $45 Springfield, IL - The Illinois State Fair is excited to announce $2 Tuesday for the 2022 Illinois State Fair. On Tuesday, August 16 all carnival rides will be just $2 each, making it more…
Read More »Jesse White To Serve As Grand Marshal For State Fair Twilight Parade
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Fair along with Governor JB Pritzker, announced Illinois’ longest serving Secretary of State Jesse White will serve as the Grand Marshall for the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade, Thursday, August…
Read More »Illinois Department on Aging to Host Senior Day at the State Fair on Aug. 15, 2022
Springfield, IL – Adults aged 60 and older will receive free admission to the Illinois State Fair on Monday, Aug. 15, with special events for seniors and their families taking place in the Illinois Building throughout the day. …
Read More »Illinois State Fair 2022
Preview Day will feature the twilight parade, and discounted carnival rides The Twilight Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. from Lincoln Park. Carnival Midway and Adventure Village will be open late Thursday afternoon following a complete ride inspection. …
Read More »Now Hiring Seasonal Employees For Illinois State Fair
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Agriculture is seeking individuals for seasonal employment at the Illinois State Fair. Temporary employees are needed for the following areas: maintenance, customer service, cashier, ticket sales,…
Read More »Illinois State Fair Cancels Live Poultry Shows To Protect From Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
ILLINOIS STATE FAIR AND 4-H COUNTY FAIR POULTRY SHOWS OFFER VIRTUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SPRINGFIELD, IL - The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced on June 21st, both junior and open live shows at the Illinois State Fair will…
Read More »Comedian Trevor Noah Will Headline the Illinois State Fair Lottery Grandstand on August 19, 2022
Springfield, IL – Emmy Award-winning host of the “The Daily Show” Trevor Noah will bring his stand-up comedy to the Illinois Lottery Grandstand stage on Friday, August 19. The South African born comedian has written, produced…
Read More »Now Accepting Press Credential Requests for 2022 Illinois State Fair
Requests should be made on company letterhead and include: 1. The number of parking passes and admission badges that are needed. 2. The signature and title of the person submitting the credentials request. 3. A list of all WORKING…
Read More »Illinois State Fair Box Office Opens Monday, June 13, 2022
Win a Chance for Two Stage-Side Party Tickets SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Fair Box Office is opening for in-person grandstand ticket purchases Monday, June 13. To celebrate the occasion, the box office will open at 6 a.m., with…
Read More »Harness Racing Kicks Off 2022 Grandstand Action
All Races Will Feature Illinois Horses SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Fair Grandstand will host harness racing to kick off the 2022 grandstand calendar on Thursday, August 11. Known as one of the fastest tracks in the world, the…
Read More »15th Annual Illinois Products Farmers’ Market Begins May 19th With Fair Fun and Food From The Illinois State Fair
Grand Prize 2 tickets to every Grandstand Concert at the 2022 Illinois State Fair Springfield, IL – The Illinois Department of Agriculture’s (IDOA) Illinois Products Farmers’ Market will open for the season with "Fair Food…
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