News

Illinois State Fair breaks attendance record for second consecutive year

More than 700,000 people attended the 2023 Illinois State Fair, breaking the record set in 2022 by more than 71,000 people.

Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello tells Brownfield nice weather, new promotions and infrastructure improvements were contributing factors.

“We had about 600 more exhibitors this year than we had last, especially junior livestock exhibitors. That is probably my favorite part of the fair, getting to be around the 4-H and FFA members and talking to the next generation of ag in our state.”

He says despite a morning storm, Agriculture Day attendance was up significantly after being moved to the first Friday of the fair.

“Most schools in Illinois were starting around the 14^th and 15^th of August, so having Ag Day on the first Friday enabled families to be out at the fair without kids having to take off school.”

47,555 people attended Ag Day on Tuesday in 2022 and 62,918 attended Ag Day on Friday this year. He says he expected more pushback regarding the switch, but most of the feedback was in favor of permanently moving Agriculture Day.

Other noteworthy numbers from the event include:

• $89,800 in scholarships awarded to youth exhibitors
• More than 600 first-time exhibitors
• Record breaking carnival revenue at $1.58 million
• An 86% increase over 2021 ticket sales for the multipurpose arena which was under construction in 2022

Costello says with $80 million earmarked for fairground infrastructure improvements, construction will continue ahead of the 2024 fair. Slated projects include:

• Phase 2 renovations of the Colosseum including the addition of elevators, new seating and restrooms and an HVAC system to make it a year-round facility.
• $9.5 million: Road construction along 8th Street between the IDOA building and the IDNR building and along the backstretch on the northwest corner of the fairgrounds; provides funding to make structural improvements to the south pedestrian tunnel leading into the fairgrounds from Gate 6/infield parking
• $4.57 million: Roof replacements on the Junior Livestock Building, Sheep Barn, Hobbies Arts and Crafts Building, and at least three barns along the backstretch
• $11.9 million: HVAC replacements on the Orr Building, Illinois Building, Junior Livestock Building, Artisans Building, Hobbies Arts and Crafts Building, and Grandstand
• $2.99 million: Tuckpoint work in the Grandstand, Artisans, Hobbies Arts and Crafts, Emmerson and Block (IDOA headquarters) buildings.

The 2024 Illinois State Fair is scheduled for August 8-18^th.