Illinois State Fair announces record-breaking attendance for 2024

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The numbers from last month’s Illinois State Fair are out — and several records were broken at the Fairgrounds.

More than 773,000 were in attendance over 11 days at the state fair, which broke 2023’s record by more than 66,000 . State leaders were not surprised given all the options and offerings of entertainment and food.

“Each year, the hardworking team at the Illinois Department of Agriculture manages to improve the Illinois State Fair with innovative new offerings, bigger and more diverse entertainment options, and an unwavering commitment to spotlighting Illinois agriculture,” Governor J.B. Pritzker said. “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.”

Officials with the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory at University of Illinois calculated the estimated local/regional economic impact of the fair was more than $86 million, and the sales tax revenue was $2.6 million.

Another highlight was the record-breaking sales for the Governor’s Sale of Champions, where the Grand Champion Steer sold for a combined $110,000, and the Land of Lincoln Grand Champion Steer sold for $65,000.

Other attractions like horse and auto races, truck and tractor pulls, a circus, rodeo and demolition derby drew crowds to the fair this year, in addition to the fair’s first naturalization ceremony . Officials also saw a significant increase in carnival revenue compared to 2023.

“The numbers are proof that the Illinois State Fair is a summer destination for families and second to none in the nation,” IDOA Director Jerry Costello II said.

Officials are now in the early stages for planning the 2025 Illinois State Fair from Aug. 7-17.

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