The Illinois State Fair gets underway today in Springfield, with the gates opening at 7 a.m.
Opening day is being celebrated as County Fair and Horse Racing Day, with more than 70 county fair queens and representatives from 105 county fairs and expositions from across Illinois taking part in the festivities.
Among today’s highlights:
• Harness racing gets underway at the fair’s one-mile dirt track, with the first races scheduled for 11 a.m. The track is billed as one of the fastest dirt tracks in the world.
• The Twilight Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park and makes its way through Springfield.
• $3 carnival rides are available today as part of the opening-day festivities.
• Agriculture and livestock events are also getting underway, including beef cattle and poultry shows and the Society Horse Show.
• Tonight’s free entertainment at the Grand Central Stage is Casey Donahew, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Donahew is a Texas country artist who has built a career as an independent performer and has released 12 albums.
• The Illinois State Fair Rodeo, presented by Wooten Rodeo Company, begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Grandstand area.
The 2026 Illinois State Fair runs through August 23 in Springfield.
For anyone heading to the fair from the Decatur area today, the biggest opening-day attractions include the harness racing, Twilight Parade, carnival rides and tonight’s rodeo and free Casey Donahew concert.
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