Illinois State Fair

10/14/2026

🎡 BIG FUN. SMALL PRICE TAG. 💰

The Illinois State Fair is making headlines for all the right reasons! 🏆

According to Axios, Illinois' State Fairs are among the MOST AFFORDABLE in the Midwest!

From $3 and $5 food deals to discounted admission, FREE entertainment and budget-friendly family fun, we're proud to make unforgettable fair memories accessible to everyone.

Because the best days of summer shouldn't break the bank! ❤️

📰 Check out the story from Axios!

Illinois delivered some of the best bargains.

10/13/2026

The 2026 Illinois State Fair was about more than rides, food and entertainment — it was also an opportunity to connect fairgoers with services from across Illinois state government.

Through partnerships with state agencies, fairgoers were able to take care of business, access resources and even find money they didn’t know they were missing.

✨Here’s a look at the impact:
➡️ Illinois Secretary of State: 415 driver’s licenses, 47 ID cards, 68 REAL IDs and 375 license plate stickers issued
➡️ Illinois Department of Natural Resources: 262 licenses and permits issued
➡️ Illinois State Treasurer: Nearly $354,000 in I-CASH missing money identified through 465 claims
➡️ Live Auction of Unclaimed Property: More than $397,000 in sales, breaking the previous record set last year

From government services to helping Illinoisans reclaim their own money, the Illinois State Fair continues to be a place where communities connect with their state government in meaningful ways.

09/28/2026

👏 Another year of giving back to the Springfield community!

The American Business Club of Springfield (ABC) presented more than $126,000 to 55 local charities thanks to their work managing gate admissions during the 2026 Illinois State Fair.

Since 2004, ABC and its volunteers have staffed the fair’s admission gates, helping turn their hard work into meaningful support for organizations throughout the Springfield area.

This year’s donations bring ABC’s contributions to the community to more than $5.7 million over the past 40 years — an incredible milestone!

We’re grateful to ABC and to the countless volunteers who make this tradition possible year after year. 💚

09/24/2026

🇺🇸 Honoring Illinois’ Fallen Heroes

This morning we welcomed riders participating in the Gold Star 500 to the Fairgrounds. Gold Star 500 is an annual 500-mile bicycle ride honoring Illinois service members who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Organized by active and retired Illinois National Guard members, the ride raises awareness of the Illinois service members who lost their lives in service to our country.

This year’s ride also included cyclists from Poland, continuing the strong relationship established through Illinois’ State Partnership Program with Poland.

We were honored to welcome the riders to the State Fairgrounds and support their mission to remember, honor and keep the stories of our fallen heroes alive.

08/27/2026

The Pritzker Administration has done so much to make the Illinois State Fair more affordable and accessible — and at the end of the day, the Fair is all about the people who show up. ❤️

To everyone who walked through the gates, rode the rides, tried something new, cheered from the Grandstand, supported our exhibitors, grabbed a corndog (or three), and made memories with us: thank you.

You brought our theme, Miles of Smiles, to life in the best possible way. From the first morning to the final sunset, you filled the Fair with laughter, excitement and plenty of smiles.

Thank you for making the 2026 Illinois State Fair one to remember. We’ll see you down the road! 🎡🌽✨

08/26/2026

👏 The Illinois State Fair extends our thanks to COUNTRY Financial for their support of our Junior Exhibitors during the 2026 shows. COUNTRY provided meal vouchers to the exhibitors on Wednesday, August 12 so exhibitors could grab a quick bite at the 4-H Food Stand and then get back to show prep.

Thank you, COUNTRY. 🤩

08/26/2026

Thank you for helping make the Fair accessible for all!! 💙

08/25/2026

💛💛💛

We’re sad to learn of Dolly Parton’s passing and appreciate the time she spent at our state fairs.

She performed in Springfield at the Illinois State Fair in 1971 as part of the Grand Ole Opry with Jerry Lee Lewis, Porter Wagoner, and Ernest Tubb and again in 1978 as a solo artist.

In 1979, she performed two sold out shows at the DuQuoin State Fair.

08/24/2026

aight imma head out…see you in 2027, besties. 🫶