Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The American Business Club held a ‘post-fair celebration’ as the occasion to hand out checks totaling over $100,000 to the over 60 business, civic, religious and school organizations which helped with parking and concession at the 2024 Illinois State Fair.

ABC President, Bob Owen, told WTAX News the service organization has been volunteering at the Fair for 70 years and this will be their 20th year handling parking during the run of the fair.

He says they call on the help of many other groups to handle the sizable endeavor.

Owen says because of the success of the fair this year the amount of the checks to the various groups was increased by 20%.

SHG Cheerleading coach, Shannon Harrison, says her 19 girls and their parents helped out and the money gifted will go for uniforms, equipment and training.

State Fair Manager, Rebecca Clark, was on hand and she talked about the vital need for volunteers during the Fair. She says there are only 8 full time employees who put on the multi-million-dollar extravaganza and she says they couldn’t do it without the many volunteers who help out.

Ms. Clark was asked if she planned on staying with the Illinois State Fair and she responded with a resounding YES.

More than 773,000 people attended the 11-day event, the highest number on record.