Illinois State Fair Sets Attendance Records

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has announced record-breaking attendance figures for the 2024 Illinois State Fair. More than 773,000 people attended the 11-day event, marking the highest attendance on record.

The Illinois State Fair also saw major successes in other areas, including a record-breaking Grandstand performance. Grandstand artists such as the Jonas Brothers, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, and Lil Wayne, who set a new Grandstand attendance record with over 15,000 tickets sold, contributed to the fair's popularity. This year's carnival revenue also saw a significant increase over 2023.

The 2024 Fair generated an estimated economic impact of over $86 million and $2.6 million in sales tax revenue. State agencies were also provided an avenue to offer community services, including public access to issuing driver's licenses, REAL IDs, and permits from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Planning is now underway for the 2025 Illinois State Fair, which is scheduled to run August 7-17.