South Central Reporter

The Illinois State Fair in Springfield recorded 723,079 attendees this August, marking its second-highest turnout on record. When combined with the Du Quoin State Fair's attendance of 282,202—a new record for that event—the total number of visitors to both state fairs surpassed one million.

Grandstand ticket sales at the Springfield fair saw a significant boost, particularly from Megan Moroney’s concert, which drew 15,532 ticket holders and set a new all-time attendance record for a single show. Other revenue streams such as admission booklets, Mega and Jumbo passes, and camping permits also increased compared to last year.

Agriculture remained a central focus at both fairs. The Governor’s Sale of Champions featured notable results: the Grand Champion Steer sold for $105,000 while the Land of Lincoln Grand Champion Steer achieved a record sale price of $70,000. Total livestock and commodities sales approached $294,000.

In Du Quoin, performances by acts including Little River Band, TESLA, and Tucker Wetmore contributed to strong Grandstand sales. Carnival vendors reported 245,000 rides during the event. The Illinois Product Expo also expanded its impact by generating more than $25,000 in revenue—an increase of $5,000 over last year.

A study conducted by the International Association of Fairs and Expos found that fairs in Illinois and neighboring states generate $2.7 billion in regional economic activity annually. It also reported that nearly three out of ten Americans attend a fair each year (https://www.fairsandexpos.com/).

Looking ahead, organizers have already scheduled next year's Illinois State Fair for August 13–23 in Springfield.

"Plummer, a Republican, was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 2023 to represent the state's 55th Senate District, replacing previous state senator Darren Bailey."