Rascal Flatts performed at last year’s Illinois State Fair. This year, Little Big Town is booked.
Despite a state budget stalemate last July and the $1.59 million still owed to 2015 fair vendors, it will be business as usual for this year’s Illinois State Fair, scheduled for Aug. 12-21 in Springfield.
The fair’s new manager, Kevin Gordon will oversee operations at both the Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair as well as the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of County Fairs and Horse Racing, and Bureau of Business Services, which handles all the non-fair events at the Illinois and DuQuoin State Fairgrounds.
Gordon formerly served as the fair’s operations manager and has worked alongside multiple fair managers with the planning and execution of the events since 2000.
“Kevin has been instrumental in the planning and execution of every Illinois State Fair since 2000,” said Rebecca Clark, communications manager for the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair. “His experience relating to the inner workings of the fair, including his working relationship with vendors and agricultural commodity groups, enhances his ability to run both the Illinois and DuQuoin State Fairs.”
According to Gordon, the state’s budget impasse has not resulted in a fund reduction for the state fairs.
The fair as a whole is paid for using money from the Illinois State Fair Fund, which is fed by revenue from the previous year’s fair. The gate and parking revenue for the 2015 Illinois State Fair totaled more than $1.35 million. It has been reported that the 2015 fair vendors are still owed about $1.59 million.
“The amount appropriated for the fairs has been unchanged for the last three fiscal years,” said Gordon. “All vendors from the 2015 fairs have been approached regarding a possible payment solution.”
New at this year’s Illinois State Fair is a statewide karaoke contest. Following eight regional karaoke competitions held throughout the state this summer, the top two winners from each region will compete at the Illinois State Fair Saturday, Aug. 20. The overall winner will perform two songs on the grandstand stage as an opening act for the Little Big Town concert that day, and also as an opening act for a concert at Illinois’ Du Quoin State Fair.
Along with Little Big Town, the 2016 grandstand concert lineup includes Pat Benatar and Melissa Ethridge Aug. 12; Meghan Trainor Aug. 13; Dierks Bentley Aug. 16; and KISS Aug. 17. Ticket prices range from $20 to $74.
Carnival operator North American Midway Entertainment will offer $70 per person Mega Passes for unlimited carnival rides during the fair, including Preview Night Aug. 11.
Catering at the Illinois State Fair is offered for events held on the Director’s Lawn and for backstage personnel. These services are awarded through a competitive bid contract following state procurement rules. A local, Sangamon County catering company, Poe’s Catering, currently holds the contract for the Director’s Lawn, while Arena Food Service holds the contract for Backstage.
Major sponsors include Budweiser; County Market; the Illinois State Lottery; Comcast; USAA; Miller Lite; Corona Extra: Humana; Chevrolet; CAT and Home City Ice.
Admission to the fair is $10 for adults over 12, with $5 admission days Aug. 11 and Aug. 21. Children 12 and under are free and seniors 60 and over are $3, or $2 Aug. 11 and Aug. 21, with free admission Aug. 15. Veterans are admitted free Aug. 15. A coupon book with 11 admissions is available for $60. Parking is $10 Fridays and Saturdays and $5 all other days.
Planning also is underway for Illinois’ DuQuoin State Fair, which is scheduled for Aug. 26-Sept. 5. Admission prices and schedules had not been determined at press time.
The concert lineup includes country music singer Jamey Johngon on Sept. 2 and the 5th annual Summerland Tour Sept. 5 with Sugar Ray, Everlast, Lit and Sponge. Ticket prices range from $15 to $24.
Miller Spectacular Shows will provide DuQuoin State Fair’s carnival.
Interviewed for this article: Rebecca Clark, (217) 558-1546; Kevin Gordon, (217) 558-1546