In this Aug. 2, 2018 photo, Illinois State Fair Manager Luke Sailer previews coming attractions in the 2018 Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Ill. The state fair runs from Aug. 9-19 at the state fairgrounds in Springfield.(AP Photo by John O'Connor)
The Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The 160th Illinois State Fair kicks off with concerts, carnival rides, livestock competitions and free entertainment.
The fair runs Aug. 9-19 with the Prairie State's Bicentennial celebration as its backdrop. Illinois-born country singer Brett Eldredge leads a Grandstand lineup that also features Boy George, Halestorm, Luke Combs, Ludacris, Foreigner and more.
The deteriorating fairgrounds got a $30 million state-funding boost this year. Roads have been repaved. Agriculture Director Raymond Poe says it will pay to re-roof most buildings and restore the 117-year-old Coliseum for the 2019 fair. It's been closed because of its unsafe condition.
Smokey Bear will welcome visitors to the ever-popular Conservation World. The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show will return as will an expanded house to publicize the dwindling monarch butterfly population.
In this Aug. 2, 2018 photo, the first of the carnival rides await assembly for the midway of the Illinois State Fair, scheduled to run Aug. 9-19 at the state fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill. They include the "Crazy Mouse," the first roller-coaster ever offered at the state fair, according to fair manager Luke Sailer. (AP Photo by John O'Connor)
The Associated Press
In this Aug. 2, 2018 photo, the first of the carnival rides await assembly for the midway of the Illinois State Fair, scheduled to run Aug. 9-19 at the state fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill. They include the "Crazy Mouse," the first roller-coaster ever offered at the state fair, according to fair manager Luke Sailer. (AP Photo by John O'Connor)
The Associated Press
In this Aug. 2, 2018 photo, in Springfield, Ill. Samantha Bisby, demonstrates "Record Art" by coloring a paper plate placed on an old-style record turntable at the state fairgrounds in Springfield Ill. Record Art will be among the free activities offered at the tent sponsored by the Illinois Association of Park Districts at the Illinois State Fair, scheduled to run Aug. 9-19 in Springfield. (AP Photo by John O'Connor)
The Associated Press