Rockford Sun

The Illinois State Fair is back on Aug. 10, and promises a ton of fun for attendees, with concerts, carnival rides, and animals galore. Rep. Jeff Keicher shared information on the start of the fair in an Aug. 8 Facebook post.

"The Illinois State Fair kicks off on August 10 and features some big names for the Grandstand line-up this year! I highly recommend it if you've never been!"

Jeff Keicher was first elected to the Illinois House in 2018. A Republican, their legislative experience includes serving on the Appropriations-Higher Education and Immigration & Human Rights Committee. Keicher is a state representative who resides in DeKalb, according to the Illinois House.

The Illinois State Fair runs from Aug. 10-20. There are a variety of events scheduled, from auto races to live entertainment (some free, some ticketed), carnival rides, and a paint night experience. Fair admission is available at a discounted rate of $45 for an 11-admission booklet or $30 for a senior “convenience” admissions booklet with 10 admissions. A seasonal parking permit is $40. You can find information about ticket prices for grandstand concerts with Old Dominion, Alter Bridge, Tim McGraw, and Alanis Morrissette, to name a few, here.

The Illinois State Fair is at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., and the fairgrounds are open from 7 a.m.-midnight for the duration, according to EnjoyIllinois.com. Attractions other than the live music include the traditional Butter Cow (made of 500 pounds of unsalted butter and carved by hand); the Route 66 Experience, which takes you from Chicago to the Chains of Rocks Bridge, as well as the Neon Sign Park; and Thrillville, which offers death-defying stunts, and a jetpack show. Not all the entertainment will cost you your hard-earned cash – with music, Zoo Lady Face Painting, and a variety of other exhibits happening free of charge.

For individuals who need a fair experience with a little less chaos, the Sensory Friendly Fair Initiative is back. The Illinois State Fair has two new initiatives to bring accessibility and inclusivity for those who need support to attend due to sensory processing disorders. The first is a step-by-step guide called “A Day at the Illinois State Fair, A Social Story (find that link here). These efforts go beyond helping attendees to plan their visit. There are sensory-friendly zones, and events, like the silent dance party from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the Grand Central Stage, as well as amusement rides available for those with special needs at the Carnival Midway and Adventure Village.