New attractions join old favorites at the Illinois State Fair this year, kicking off Aug. 11 and running through Aug. 21. Life-size animatronic dinosaurs in Happy Hollow and the Route 66 Experience near Gate 2 are just a couple of the additions to this year’s fair. Our special fair-focused issue also looks at some of the history of the fairgrounds and potential future uses, as The Next 10 works to develop a comprehensive plan to utilize the fairgrounds year-round as a center for social and economic activity. -Michelle Ownbey, publisher