Summary
Daily activities and entertainment pack nearly two weeks of festivities
The Illinois State Fair kicked off on Thursday, initiating an 11-day celebration of the state’s culture. Until after August 18, the fairgrounds shall remain open to the public from 7:00 AM to midnight, featuring food, live entertainment, and numerous activities for people of all ages from all walks of life in the state and beyond.
The first day of fair activities culminated in the annual Twilight Parade. Governor JB Pritzker and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton marched with the parade, which was lead by a column of state first responders, followed thereafter by local schools, entertainers, businesses and major community organizations.
Friday marked Ag Day, with Springfield’s Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski touring Fair activities with farmers and their supporting organizations.
Saturday, August 10 will be Kids Day, featuring activities for children of all ages and free admissions for anyone aged 12 or under.
Sunday the 11th is Veterans & Gold Star Families Day; veterans and their families will be admitted free of charge and enjoy discounted ride passes. A veteran’s parade will commence at 4:00 PM.
Monday August 12 will be Senior & Scout Day, offering free admissions for all visitors age 60 and above.
Many more activities are planned each day for the remainder of the Fair hosted by numerous State agencies and sponsored by local businesses. Among these other activities, on Wednesday August 14 the fairgrounds’ Orr Building will host the naturalization ceremony for 200 new citizens who came to America from 49 different countries, across the world. Live concerts are also planned for each day on the Grandstand and Reisch Pavilion Grand Central Stand, with Keith Urban headlining for Friday night.
The first State Fair was held in Springfield in 1853, and excluding interruptions for the Civil War floated from host to host for several years until the Fair permanently settled in Springfield in 1894, when the initial core of the fairgrounds was first acquired. A few decades later, it expanded, encompassing its current area of 366 acres in 1924.
Governor Pritzker recently stated that enhancing the State Fair was a priority of his administration, highlighted by a recent investment of over $90 million into various aspects of the Fair and the fairgrounds.
“The Illinois State Fair is legendary to Springfield and the State of Illinois,” reads the State’s fair website.
“Roaming through the beauty of the fairgrounds and experiencing the historic essence, visitors will make their own history at the Illinois State Fair.
