Illinois State Fair

Think you've got what it takes to entertain Illinois State Fair crowds? It's YOUR time to shine! 🌟🎤

Applications for performers on the 2027 Illinois State Fair Free Entertainment Stages open November 1! Whether you're a singer, dancer, musician or have another talent to share, this is your chance to be part of the fair fun!

📅 Applications open November 1, 2026, and close January 31, 2027, at midnight.

Mark your calendars and get ready to apply at statefair.illinois.gov once applications open!

🎡 BIG FUN. SMALL PRICE TAG. 💰

The Illinois State Fair is making headlines for all the right reasons! 🏆

According to Axios, Illinois' State Fairs are among the MOST AFFORDABLE in the Midwest!

From $3 and $5 food deals to discounted admission, FREE entertainment and budget-friendly family fun, we're proud to make unforgettable fair memories accessible to everyone.

Because the best days of summer shouldn't break the bank! ❤️

📰 Check out the story from Axios!

Who had the most affordable state fair in the Midwest? Illinois delivered some of the best bargains.

The 2026 Illinois State Fair was about more than rides, food and entertainment — it was also an opportunity to connect fairgoers with services from across Illinois state government.

Through partnerships with state agencies, fairgoers were able to take care of business, access resources and even find money they didn’t know they were missing.

✨Here’s a look at the impact:
➡️ Illinois Secretary of State: 415 driver’s licenses, 47 ID cards, 68 REAL IDs and 375 license plate stickers issued
➡️ Illinois Department of Natural Resources: 262 licenses and permits issued
➡️ Illinois State Treasurer: Nearly $354,000 in I-CASH missing money identified through 465 claims
➡️ Live Auction of Unclaimed Property: More than $397,000 in sales, breaking the previous record set last year

From government services to helping Illinoisans reclaim their own money, the Illinois State Fair continues to be a place where communities connect with their state government in meaningful ways.

👏 Another year of giving back to the Springfield community!

The American Business Club of Springfield (ABC) presented more than $126,000 to 55 local charities thanks to their work managing gate admissions during the 2026 Illinois State Fair.

Since 2004, ABC and its volunteers have staffed the fair’s admission gates, helping turn their hard work into meaningful support for organizations throughout the Springfield area.

This year’s donations bring ABC’s contributions to the community to more than $5.7 million over the past 40 years — an incredible milestone!

We’re grateful to ABC and to the countless volunteers who make this tradition possible year after year. 💚

🇺🇸 Honoring Illinois’ Fallen Heroes

This morning we welcomed riders participating in the Gold Star 500 to the Fairgrounds. Gold Star 500 is an annual 500-mile bicycle ride honoring Illinois service members who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Organized by active and retired Illinois National Guard members, the ride raises awareness of the Illinois service members who lost their lives in service to our country.

This year’s ride also included cyclists from Poland, continuing the strong relationship established through Illinois’ State Partnership Program with Poland.

We were honored to welcome the riders to the State Fairgrounds and support their mission to remember, honor and keep the stories of our fallen heroes alive.

👏 The Illinois State Fair extends our thanks to COUNTRY Financial for their support of our Junior Exhibitors during the 2026 shows. COUNTRY provided meal vouchers to the exhibitors on Wednesday, August 12 so exhibitors could grab a quick bite at the 4-H Food Stand and then get back to show prep.

Thank you, COUNTRY. 🤩

Thank you for helping make the Fair accessible for all!! 💙

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We’re sad to learn of Dolly Parton’s passing and appreciate the time she spent at our state fairs.

She performed in Springfield at the Illinois State Fair in 1971 as part of the Grand Ole Opry with Jerry Lee Lewis, Porter Wagoner, and Ernest Tubb and again in 1978 as a solo artist.

In 1979, she performed two sold out shows at the DuQuoin State Fair.