Illinois State Fair // Illinois.gov
August 9, 2023 – The State Fair has announced its full slate of theme days and a list of traffic pattern changes as this year’s event approaches.
County Fairs and Horse Racing Day will kick the fair off tomorrow, Thursday, August 10, with Agriculture Day moving to the following day, Friday, August 11. Fair officials said in a press release they hope this change will allow more livestock exhibitors and young participants to be onsite. Other highlights include a free parking voucher able to be redeemed August 15-17 for anyone who pays for parking tomorrow, $2 admission for adults and seniors with carnival ride fares at the same price on August 15 and several food promotions.
“We took a look at our theme days and saw a couple of ways we could enhance our fairgoers’ experience,” Rebecca Clark, the fair’s manager, said in a press release. “From opening our gates earlier for a full day of horse racing, to exposing more Illinoisians to our state’s number one industry and offering affordable ways for families to enjoy the Illinois State Fair, our newly enhanced theme days will have something for everyone.”
The ribbon cutting for this year’s fair will be held tomorrow at 10 a.m., followed by carnival rides opening, livestock shows and the fair’s full slate of food starting at noon.
2023 Illinois State Fair Theme Days
- Thursday, August 10: County Fairs & Horse Racing Day/Double the Fun
- Friday, August 11: Agriculture Day
- Saturday, August 12: Kids Day
- Sunday, August 13: Veterans Day (free admission for veterans and their families)
- Monday, August 14: Senior & Scout Day (free admission for seniors and scouts)
- Tuesday, August 15: Twosday ($2 admission for adults and seniors)
- Wednesday, August 16: Governor’s Day
- Thursday, August 17: Republican Day
- Friday, August 18: First Responders & Healthcare Heroes Day (free admission for first responders and healthcare workers with ID)
- Saturday, August 19: Park District Conservation Day
- Sunday, August 20: Family Day
In addition, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced several temporary traffic pattern changes around the fair. Beginning 5 a.m. tomorrow, traffic around the fairgrounds will run one-way, counterclockwise. Both eastbound and westbound turn lanes from Veterans Parkway to Eighth Street will be closed. Parking on neighborhood streets south of Sangamon Avenue will also be prohibited. Signs will inform motorists of the changes, and normal traffic patterns will resume by 6 a.m. on Monday, August 21.
Tomorrow’s Twilight Parade will also alter normal traffic. The parade will head north through the park to Sangamon Avenue and then east to the fairgrounds’ main gate. Starting at 4 p.m., the route will close to traffic with detour signs posted along North Grand Avenue and Veterans and J. David Jones Parkways. The route is expected to remain closed until 9 p.m.
For more information about the Illinois State Fair, head to the fair’s website HERE.
