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Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The attendance numbers are in, and the Illinois State Fair and the Du Quoin State Fair saw over a million visitors this year.
Springfield saw 723,079 visitors to the Illinois State Fair, making it the second largest turnout in history.
The Du Quoin State Fair saw 282,202 visitors, breaking the previous year’s record.
“Illinois is fortunate to have state fairs that bring people together, creating a shared space for celebrating food, family fun, and Illinois agriculture,” Jerry Costello ll, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture in a press release. “Our team has worked hard to preserve the traditions people expect while innovating our offerings to continue engaging families every year.”
In Springfield, Grandstand sales saw record crowds and sales were also up in admission booklets, Mega passes & Jumbo passes. Camping saw quite the increase as well.
“This year’s attendance figures are proof of the enduring value of state fairs as over 1 million attendees from across Illinois and throughout the nation joined in celebration of our state’s proud agricultural heritage.” Govenor JB Pritzker stated in a press release.
The Govenor’s Sale of Champions, the Grand Steer and the Land of Lincoln Grand Champion Steer livestock combined, sold for a total of nearly $294,000.
A strong grandstand line-up in Du Quoin helped their ticket sales and carnival vendors logged 245,000 rides. Du Quoin also issued 625 camping permits.
Next year’s Illinois State Fair runs August 13–23 followed by the Du Quoin State Fair August 28–September 7.