State fair aims to entertain all

It is that time again — time for the Illinois State Fair, which will be Aug. 7-17 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.

The Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade will step off at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 7, kicking off the 11-day celebration of Illinois agriculture, community and creativity.

This year’s fair theme is “Adventure Awaits.”

“Each year, we preserve time-honored traditions and weave in new things as well,” said Rebecca Clark, Illinois State Fair manager.

Among the new things this year include a craft beer competition, Dill-inois State Fair Pickleball Showdown and the Budweiser Clydesdales on display.

The pickleball competition on Aug. 16 will feature a round-robin doubles tournament for both youth and adult divisions. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch and learn more about this sport.

The Budweiser Clydesdales will be located near Gate 2 of the fairgrounds on the Avenue of the Flags across from the Commerce Pavilion. They will also be featured during the opening day Twilight Parade.

Clark said the Illinois State Fair has more than 165 hours of free entertainment planned. She said that Illinois State Fair has been designated one of the most affordable state fairs in the United States for the last 10 years.

When it comes to musical entertainment, the fair has free entertainment options, as well as grandstand concerts.

Free entertainment by Everclear, Diamante, Head East, Simply Spice (Spice Girls Tribute) and Twista will be offered. The grandstand concerts this year include Jake Owen with Jo Dee Messina, The Black Crowes, Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg, Brad Paisley, and Def Leppard. There will also be harness racing and auto races.

There will be carnival specials Aug. 7 and Aug. 12. On the 7th, all rides will be $3 each and on the 12th all rides will be $2 each.

Each day throughout the fair there is a special designation, with Aug. 7 being County Fair and Horse Racing Day and August 8 being Agriculture Day. Other days are Kids Day, Veterans and Gold Star Families Day, Senior and Scout Day, Twosday, Governor’s Day, Republican Day, Park District Conservation Day and Family Day.

To help people get around the fairgrounds this year, there will be a tram that will run continuously making stops at various places around the 366 acres and the handicapped parking lots.

Clark said the fair staff has worked hard to improve accessibility. One of these ways is through the Sensory Friendly Fair Initiative that is aimed at increasing accessibility and inclusivity. The fair will host Sunflower Hours on Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon. During this time, the fair will make adjustments to select programming to create a more calming environment for children and adults that experience sensory processing sensitivities.

This includes sensory-friendly performances at 10 a.m. by Extreme Dogs Stunt Show in Thrillville, an Am-Tryke Presentation at Grand Central Stage and Sky High Balloon Guy at Adventure Village.

All 11 days of the fair there will be a sensory station open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. inside the Emmerson Building. This will be a dedicated quiet zone staffed by trained volunteers who can aid adults and children who need help processing the sights, smells, noises and crowds at the fair.