Illinois State Fair facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Illinois State Fair |
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| Genre | State fair |
| Date(s) | every August |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location(s) | Springfield, Illinois |
| Years active | 1853-1860; 1865-1892; 1894–1916; 1919–1941; 1946–2019; 2021– |
| Inaugurated | 1853 |
| Attendance | 509,000 (2019) |
| Sponsor | State of Illinois |
The Illinois State Fair is a big yearly party in Springfield, the capital city of Illinois. It's all about celebrating agriculture, which means farming and everything that comes from it. This fun event has happened almost every year since 1853! Today, the fair takes place for 11 days in the middle of August at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. In 2019, over 500,000 people visited the fair.
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History of the Illinois State Fair
The very first Illinois State Fair happened in 1853 in Springfield. Back then, it only cost 25 cents to get in! The fair moved around a lot in its early years. Farmers created these fairs to share ideas and learn from each other. They wanted to find the best ways to grow crops and raise animals.
Growing and Changing Farms
After the American Civil War, rules for judging farm products became more standard. Farmers started showing off their best crops and purebred animals. This was a way to share knowledge and improve farming.
Later, new machines with internal combustion engines changed farming forever. Companies loved to show off their latest tractors and equipment at the fair. This helped farmers work faster and produce more food.
Fair Locations and Pauses
For its first 40 years, the Illinois State Fair moved to different cities. It was held in places like Freeport and Du Quoin. But in 1894, the fair found a permanent home. The State of Illinois bought land in Springfield, which became the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
Sometimes the fair had to take a break. For example, in 1893, a huge event called the World's Columbian Exposition was happening in Chicago. It had a giant display of farm products, so the State Fair decided to skip that year. The fair also paused during World War I (1917-1918) and World War II (1942-1945). During World War II, the fairgrounds were even used by the U.S. Army Air Force!
The Dome Building Story
In 1895, a special building called the Dome Building was built at the fairgrounds. It had a huge glass dome, which was the second largest unsupported dome in the world! This dome was actually part of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. It was bought for $69,000, taken apart, and then rebuilt in Springfield.
The Dome Building was massive, big enough for 10,000 people. It held beautiful plant displays and offices for the National Guard. In 1917, about 1,500 soldiers stayed there before going to war. Sadly, on August 17, 1917, the building caught fire. Within 30 minutes, the giant glass dome crashed down. The building was destroyed and later torn down. Luckily, no soldiers were hurt.
The Illinois State Fair Today
After World War II, fewer people worked on farms because machines made farming more efficient. So, state fairs like Illinois's began to change. They became less about just showing farm products and more about entertainment for everyone.
Fun and Entertainment
The State Fair Grandstand, which was originally for horse racing, is now a popular place for concerts. Many famous musicians, especially country music stars, perform there. Even bands like The Who played at the Grandstand way back in 1968!
While farming competitions still happen, many visitors come for the fun. They enjoy parades, exciting rides, live music, and trying different foods. The fairgrounds have over 100 permanent buildings, plus many temporary tents and stands during the fair.
Purpose and Other Events
The Illinois Department of Agriculture runs the Illinois State Fair. They say the fair's goal is to "showcase Illinois agriculture and offer wholesome family entertainment." This means it's a place to learn about farming and have a great time with your family.
The fairgrounds are busy all year long. They host other cool events like motorcycle and car races, horse shows, and rodeos.
Recent Attendance
The number of people visiting the fair changes each year. In 2019, 509,000 people attended, which was a big increase from previous years. Famous performers like Snoop Dogg and Reba McEntire entertained the crowds that year.
In 2020, the fair was much smaller due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois. Most of the big shows were canceled. It was the first time the main fair was canceled since World War II. However, some farming and racing events still took place later that year.
