Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – This year’s Illinois State Fair was a record breaker. More than 773,000 people attended the 11-day event. Governor JB Pritzker announced it is the highest number on record since industry standards were enacted.

“Grandstand artists like the Jonas Brothers, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert drew big crowds. We were especially excited to have Lil Wayne break the Grandstand attendance record by selling more than 15,000 tickets,” said Pritzker. The 2024 tally is 66,000 more than 2023.

“Some of the credit goes to mother nature for the cool, dry weather, but that’s only part of the story. We worked purposefully to offer something for everyone at the Illinois State Fair. Promotions and discounts made the fair more budget friendly for families with expanded free entertainment options as well,” said Illinois State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark.

Fair officials report carnival revenue was up significantly over 2023, and horse and auto races, truck and tractor pulls, a circus, rodeo and demolition derby contributed to the success of the event. This year’s fair also featured a naturalization ceremony welcoming nearly 200 new citizens.

According to the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory at University of Illinois, this year’s fair had an estimated local/regional economic impact of more than $86 million with sales tax revenue of $2.6 million.

“While it’s gratifying to break attendance records, our real aim is to create an event that highlights all the things that make Illinois special, especially agriculture, our number one industry,” said Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II. “The numbers are proof that the Illinois State Fair is a summer destination for families and second to none in the nation.”

The 2025 Illinois State Fair will run August 7-17.

 

Illinois State Fair: By the Numbers

Source: Illinois State Fair