Showtime! Illinois State Fair has a theme; Twilight Parade will follow usual route

"It's Showtime" for the Illinois State Fair.

That will be the theme permeating the fair's Grandstand performances, livestock shows, circuses, rodeos, diving shows and ice-skating performances, officials announced Monday.

The fair opens on Aug. 8 with a full day of events and entertainment, including harness racing at the Grandstand, Monsters of Destruction at the Arena and a free show by Gin Blossoms on the Grand Central Stage at the south end of the Reisch Pavilion.

The Twilight Parade steps off that day from Lincoln Park at 5:30 p.m. The parade travels onto Sangamon Avenue and enters the fairgrounds through the Main Gate. From there, it proceeds down Main Street to Grandstand Avenue.

There was no immediate word on a parade grand marshal.

Parade entries will be accepted online until July 8. Visit statefair.illinois.gov for more information.

The fair runs through Aug. 18.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.