Illinois State Fair

11/01/2024

🪩🎤 Performers Wanted 🎤 🪩
Are you a musician, magician, juggler, ventriloquist, dance team, band, or any other performer looking for a stage? Well, now’s your chance! Applications for free stage entertainment at the 2025 Illinois State Fair are being accepted now through February 28, 2025.

Apply online at StateFair.Illinois.gov.

10/30/2024

🚨REMINDER🚨
Superintendent application deadline for the 2025 Illinois State Fair is midnight tonight, October 30. Get your applications in now!

We’re looking to fill Superintendent openings for the 2025 Illinois State Fair!

🧣 Textiles Superintendent
🐖 Open Swine Superintendent
🐷 Junior Swine Superintendent

Postings are available until 10/30/24. Visit https://statefair.illinois.gov/info/volunteer.html to apply!

10/24/2024

We’re looking to fill Superintendent openings for the 2025 Illinois State Fair!

🧣 Textiles Superintendent
🐖 Open Swine Superintendent
🐷 Junior Swine Superintendent

Postings are available until 10/30/24. Visit https://statefair.illinois.gov/info/volunteer.html to apply!

10/21/2024

Not only were a bunch of records broken during the 2024 Illinois State Fair, but the economic impact was unmatched.

✅ Estimated local/regional economic impact of more than $86 million*
✅ Sales tax revenue of $2.6 million*
✅ 62 charities volunteered more than 20,000 service hours at the Illinois State Fair
✅ Illinois state agencies partnered to provide community services: The Illinois Secretary of State issued 273 driver’s licenses; 58 ID cards; 17 REAL IDs; 219 license plate stickers. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources issued 440 licenses and permits

2025 brings a multitude of opportunities to continue positively impacting our local and regional economy and we cannot wait!

* Source: Regional Economics Applications Laboratory at University of Illinois

10/15/2024

In the Illinois Department of Agriculture tent, not only did the Illinois Product Artisan Market sales double from $12,000 last year to $24,000 in 2024, but our friends at the Illinois Specialty Growers Association (ISGA) broke multiple records as well!

ISGA served more than 5,890 customers, 3,390 apple cider slushies, 1,560 cuts of watermelon, 1,134 ears of cooked corn, 405 cups of ice cream, 401 bags of popcorn, 648 apple cider floats and 4,460 peaches.

10/07/2024

We sound like a broken record, but that’s because we keep breaking records!

The Governor’s Sale of Champions posted record-breaking sales with the Grand Champion Steer selling for a combined $110,000, and the Land of Lincoln Grand Champion Steer selling for $65,000. In total, $323,775 was raised at Governor’s Sale of Champions to support youth in agriculture.

10/01/2024

Tonight the American Business Club of Springfield (ABC) made donations totaling over $100,000 to Springfield area charities during a special presentation on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The funds were raised through ABC’s volunteer efforts at the 2024 Illinois State Fair managing gate admissions for the eleven days of the Fair.

“Coming in through Gate 11 everyday of the Fair, I’m always greeted by such warmth and happiness,” said Illinois Deputy Director of Agriculture Kristi Jones.

Thank you to the ABC club and volunteers who help make the Illinois State Fair what it is - the best 11 days of summer. We can’t wait for next year!

09/30/2024

Record-breaking ticket sales didn't stop at the Grandstand. Ticket sales for Arena events, like Monsters of Destruction, and the Demo Derby, brought record sales as well - 🎫 9,549 ticket to be exact! Nearly 1,500 more than 2023.

09/24/2024

With artists like the Jonas Brothers, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert and Lil Wayne, the Grandstand line-up was STACKED. Each concert drew big crowds, and we were especially excited to have Lil Wayne break the Grandstand attendance record by selling more than 🎫 15,000 tickets.

09/17/2024

We're sad to hear that REO Speedwagon will no longer be touring after this year. Did you know, they played the Illinois State Fair six times over the years - 2023, 2005, 2000, 1990, 1988, and 1987. Let's keep the Wagon rolling - share your favorite Illinois State Fair/REO Speedwagon memory below.

To our fans: Bruce has intended to be Back On the Road Again by now. If it were up to just him, he’d be back on tour… but it's not up to just him. The consensus opinion was that he had not recovered sufficiently to be able to perform at the level the fans have come to expect. Bruce respected that opinion and is grateful that Matt has been around to keep the Wagon rolling through the summer tour. Bruce never had any intention of retiring or walking away from the band, fans, and crew he has loved for almost 50 years.

For Kevin’s part, he too has never had any intention of leaving the band, and the fans and crew mean the world to him, as well.

Due to this complex situation, irreconcilable differences arose between Bruce and Kevin. So, it is with great sadness that we announce REO Speedwagon will cease touring effective January 1, 2025. Neal, Kevin, and Bruce thank their fans for all their years of loyal support and for giving back to the band such wonderful memories that will remain with each of them forever.

09/16/2024

It was a record-breaking year at the 2024 Illinois State Fair - more than 773,000 people attended the 11-day event, the highest number on record. That’s nearly 66,000 more than the previous record set last year. Planning is now underway for the 2025 Illinois State Fair, which will be held August 7 through 17. We can’t wait to see you again!

08/29/2024

Have you binged "Blue Ribbon Baking Championship," the new show on Netflix? A state fair blue-ribbon winner herself, Sandra Lee brought to life a 12-year labor of love with this new cooking challenge series. Watch Season 1, and let us know what you think. Maybe a blue-ribbon baker from Illinois will appear on Season 2!

08/29/2024

Way to go Diana! 2024 must have been a record-breaking year for you too! 😉

08/27/2024

Because of you, it was a record-breaking year at the 2024 Illinois State Fair. Thank you - We can’t wait to see you next year!

08/23/2024

Four of those pork burger were mine! 🤣

Thank you Illinois Pork Producers Association for your partnership all year, but especially during the Fair. Can’t wait for next year!

We moved a lot of pork this year at the State Fair Thank you to everyone that visited the Pork Patio!

08/21/2024

Come back and visit us anytime Lil Wayne, and break more records while you’re at it!

08/19/2024

Goodbye for now. 👋

08/18/2024

Bring out the whole family to enjoy the last day of the Fair on Family day!

💡 Pro tip: Grab a Daily Schedule booklet from information booths located throughout the fairgrounds.

DON'T MISS:
🏃 Abe's Amble
🧱 Lego Competition (Expo Building)
⚡️ Powerlight Music Festival
🐷 P*e Wee Pig Show
🏁 ARCA Auto Racing
🎶 Drew Baldridge - 7:30 pm Grand Central Stage
🎤 Shaboozy @ 8 pm at the Grandstand

08/17/2024

The Illinois Lottery thanks you for playing with them these past 50 years, especially this year at the Illinois State Fair! Keep on gaming!

08/17/2024

ALERT: There’s an F5 of flavor comin atcha. (Glen Powell not included ☹️)

08/17/2024

Beat the heat with Fairytales on Ice in the Orr Building! Today and tomorrow at 11 am and 3 pm! Delight in the spectacular as award-winning skaters bring your favorite fairy tale characters to life through ice skating, singing, and music!

Tickets on sale at Ticketmaster or at the door.

Learn more at https://statefair.illinois.gov/entertainment/fairytales-on-ice.html

08/17/2024

Park District Conservation Day means members from more than 45 Park Districts throughout Illinois will be on the Fairgrounds hosting so many fun events!

💡 Pro tip: Grab a Daily Schedule booklet from information booths located throughout the fairgrounds.

DON'T MISS:
🐖🐐🐑🐄 Swine, Goat, Sheep, Cattle Shows
🌳 Park District Pentathlon
🏁USAC Auto Racing
🎶 Taylor Made @ 4 pm on the Grand Central Stage
🎵 Feeling This @ 7:30 pm on the Grand Central Stage
🔨 Demolition Derby @ 5 pm in the Arena
🎤 Miranda Lambert @ 8 pm on the Grandstand

08/16/2024

The people have chosen... The Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich from Heaterz is the People’s Choice Golden Abe Winner. Congratulations to Heaterz for their well-deserved win! You still have time to stop by and try it for yourself. The Illinois State runs through Sunday, Aug. 18.

08/16/2024

Thank you for your service, Police Officers. Visit the Illinois Lottery on Illinois Avenue between Oldani Lane and Corn Dog Lane on August 16th from 11AM to 8PM! Be sure to show proof of service to receive a FREE $1 Instant Ticket!

08/16/2024

Welcome to the weekend! All police officers, firefighters, EMTs and Healthcare Workers who show their badge at the gate will be admitted to the Fair for FREE today.

💡 Pro tip: Grab a Daily Schedule booklet from information booths located throughout the fairgrounds.

DON'T MISS:
🐑🐖🐄 Sheep, Swine & Cattle Shows
🧁 Cupcake Contest
🎶 Vandoliers @ 7 pm on the Grand Central Stage
🎤 The Smashing Pumpkins @ 8 pm at the Grandstands