The Illinois State Fair kicks off Aug. 10, and this year’s 11-day celebration of all the state has to offer seeks to provide something for everyone, with a new focus on inclusivity and accessibility for fairgoers.
The Illinois State Fair is the most affordable state fair in the Midwest with $5 parking, $5-$10 admission, various discount days and free admission for kids 12 and under every day. Even so, Illinois State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark emphasized finding ways for families to afford the festivities with two new promotions: Double the Fun, and a new theme-day dubbed Twosday.
The Double the Fun promotion means that anyone who pays for parking on the fairgrounds on Thursday, Aug. 10, for County Fairs and Horse Racing Day will receive a free parking voucher that can be redeemed Tuesday, Aug. 15 through Thursday, Aug. 17.
“Our goal is to offer an affordable way for families to attend the Illinois State Fair,” said Clark. “While this voucher can be used to return to the fair on any one of the three days, this promotion offers significant savings on Twosday.”
Indeed, the Twosday theme-day on Tuesday, Aug. 15, will feature $2 admission as well as discounted carnival rides at $2 each.
Clark also highlighted two initiatives to ensure accessibility to those fairgoers who suffer from sensory-processing disorders and sensitivities, such as autism or anxiety. These include the creation of The Sensory Station in the Emmerson Building, which will serve as a designated quiet space with trained staff available to help overwhelmed individuals regroup, as well as new Sunflower Hours on Aug. 12 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
During Sunflower Hours, the fair will make adjustments to select programming to create a softer, more calm environment. Many amusement rides will be operating without the bright lights and loud sounds, and a silent dance party hosted by 99.7 The Mix will allow fairgoers the chance to bust a move at their own pace and preferred volume.
“A variety of free entertainment will be available to enable families with special needs to explore and experience the fair,” said Clark. “This is the same programming we offer all 11 days of the fair, with the only difference being that we won’t be using large sound systems or loud music to make a quieter, calmer environment for these fairgoers.”
Other new attractions this year include weekend character brunches featuring your child’s favorite princesses and superheroes, a mullet competition, a paint night experience and more.
Perhaps one of the most visually striking additions to the fairgrounds is the addition of the new Route 66 Experience. The outdoor exhibit features a fun miniature walk-through of Route 66, complete with a drive-in theater and wireframe models of vintage vehicles. Billboards with vintage advertising and iconic neon signs adorn the area, and a new shimmering Route 66-themed sign welcomes visitors entering from Gate 2.
“We’re one of the very few state fairgrounds actually located on Route 66, which makes it the perfect place for that experience,” said Clark. “The neon signs have entirely changed the landscape of the fairgrounds. When you’re at that intersection, it looks completely different. And now we have complemented it with the new welcome sign right outside the gate through a great partnership with Sangamon County.”
The 2023 Illinois State Fair theme is “Harvest the Fun,” and Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello said that it’s an appropriate reflection of the work and resources that have gone into revitalizing the fairgrounds – efforts that Illinoisians will soon be able to “harvest” the benefits from.
“Similarly, in agriculture, progress is incremental. The work and dedication that goes into the planting season is followed by a bountiful harvest,” said Costello. “If you look around at the fairgrounds, there are a lot of things that have been revitalized over the last four years. We’re now at the point where we are harvesting a lot of the hard work that has taken place.”
Among those revitalization efforts is the reopening of the Multi-Purpose Arena after an $8.6 million overhaul to make necessary repairs and renovations of the space. The MPA was closed during last year’s fair due to construction, but its reopening will bring the Monsters of Destruction monster truck thrill show on Aug.10, a rodeo on Aug. 12, tractor pulls Aug.14-16 and a demolition derby on Aug. 19.
Similarly, the historic Coliseum has entered Phase 2 of its renovations, with improved ADA accessibility, new seating, HVAC, concessions and updated bathrooms.
Grandstand acts include Old Dominion (Aug. 11), The Doobie Brothers (Aug. 12), Alanis Morissette (Aug. 13), REO Speedwagon (Aug. 15), Tim McGraw (Aug. 17), Maren Morris (Aug. 19) and Nelly (Aug. 20). There will also be plenty of free entertainment stages throughout the grounds, as well as all the usual beloved food vendors.
Annie Fulgenzi is a freelance writer from the Springfield area and a law student at the University of Illinois College of law.
This article appears in Fair music.
