Definitely a newer category only available since the coming of the ubiquitous cellphones and those equally ubiquitous selfies (IT’s BoS has been around a long time), this one is puzzling in that if you can take a selfie almost anywhere, why does the Illinois State Fair come out on top as the best of all? Our guess says it’s all the different places and interesting oddities on the grounds including a young, gigantic, axe-wielding Abe statue, buildings called Illinois, Artisan, Coliseum and Exposition, a truly gargantuan giant slide, a gazebo and a grandstand, all there without the fair even going on.
So add in the actual stuff happening during the annual big event and you have your choice of a selfie with whatever breed of livestock you prefer or catching yourself chomping down on something to eat, either on a stick or deep-fried or both. Plus, there’s picturing yourself having a whale of a time at the many live music shows or experiencing entertaining Conservation World spectacles, and who could dare forget selfies on all those rides there are to ride on or the superb vantage point from above on the cable cars.
We must also make a mention of and give thanks for the recent renovations and restorations along with the ongoing general improvements made on the grounds as a big bonus in making the Illinois State Fair the best place to take a selfie in 2026.
This article appears in October 29-November 4, 2026.
