SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Just hours after announcing that three-time Grammy Award-winning entertainer, author, and actor Tim McGraw would headline the Illinois State Fair (ISF) Grandstand on Thursday, August 17, fair manager Rebecca Clark was still ecstatic about the news.

“Tickets went on sale on Friday, May 19, and we are very excited about this,” Clark told Farm World. “We now have six concerts on sale and more to be added, and it’s fun to see the buzz the announcement of adding Tim McGraw has created.” 

The six confirmed grandstand acts include McGraw, Old Dominion (Friday, Aug. 11), REO Speedwagon (Tuesday, Aug. 15), Alter Bridge with Mammoth WVH (Wednesday, Aug. 16), Maren Morris (Saturday, Aug. 19) and Nelly with Ashanti and Ja Rule (Sunday, Aug. 20).

Tickets for all announced ISF Grandstand shows are on sale via Ticketmaster. 

The 2023 ISF will run from Thursday, Aug. 10 through Sunday, Aug. 20. 

Ag Day moved up in schedule

Of particular note to longtime attendees of the ISF: the fair’s popular Agriculture Day is on the move. Clark explained that Ag Day, normally held on a Tuesday, will be moved in 2023 to an earlier day in order to allow more families with school-age children to attend and participate. Moving Ag Day up in the schedule will also mean more livestock, poultry and other show animals will still be present on the fairgrounds for attendees to see and learn from.

“Ag Day has been moved to Friday, August 11. It’s a great way to really celebrate agriculture and the people who make the state agriculture industry so special, and there were several reasons for moving it up in the schedule,” Clark said. 

“Previously when we had Ag Day on Tuesday a lot of the ag exhibitors and animals on the ground were missing. Champions had already been named the Saturday before, and a lot of families wound up leaving. Even if we wanted to introduce the general public to agriculture, it wasn’t as good of an opportunity as it will be on this first Friday when all of our youth exhibitors and families are on the grounds.

“Another reason is that many school districts, like here in the Sangamon district, had returned to classes before Ag Day. This move will allow more non-farming families to attend and experience Ag Day at the state fair.”

In addition to the Ag Day move, County Fairs and Horse Racing Day will now be featured on the first day of the ISF (Thursday, August 10). “We are striving to improve our harness racing, and there will now be five full days of harness racing including a double card on that first Thursday,” Clark said. 

Multi-Purpose Arena back in business 

Closed for renovations in 2022, the fairgrounds’ Multi-Purpose Arena (MPA) is ready to host a full fair’s worth of events this summer. An appropriation from the Rebuild Illinois capital program helped fund an $8.6 million overhaul of the MPA. The overhaul included a seating expansion, new sidewalks, stairways, electrical work and installation of a new canopy.

“The re-opening of the MPA is just a reminder of the $58.1 million investment the (Ill. Gov.  JB) Pritzker administration has made to improve our historic fairgrounds,” said Jerry Costello, IDOA director. “Fairgoers will be able to see firsthand the commitment this administration has made to enhance our fairgoers experience and restore our fairground’s history.”

The entertainment schedule for the MPA (admission is separate from the ISF entrance fee) includes the Monsters of Destruction truck show (Thursday, Aug. 10), ISF Bares, Broncs and Bulls Rodeo (Saturday, Aug. 12), three nights of ITPA Truck and Tractor Pulls (Monday, Aug. 14 through Wednesday, Aug. 16) hosted by the Illinois Soybean Association, and Championship Demolition Derby (Saturday, Aug. 19). 

Tickets for MPA events are available through the ISF ticket office.

“One of the things we’ve missed at the fair was the programming at the MPA. It’ll be great to have fairgoers exploring that part of the fairgrounds again this year. There are many things to see and experience on that side of the fairgrounds,” Clark said. 

Ag Tent, specialty growers booth

returning

One fixture that won’t be changing at the 2023 ISF will be the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Ag Tent, where Illinois Specialty Growers Association (ISGA) members and volunteers offer up apple cider slushies, watermelon slices and many more delicious Illinois food products. The Ag Tent is also where fairgoers can sign up for a trolley “Ag Tour” of the fairgrounds that includes visits to livestock and equine barns. 

“The Ag Tent is one of my favorite spots to hit on the fairgrounds,” said Clark. “Every day at around 5pm you can find me with an apple cider slushie in my hand under the Ag Tent.”

The IDOA Ag Tent, located at the corner of Main Street and Central Avenue, is open from 10am to 8pm every day of the fair (closes at 6pm on the final Sunday). In addition to the ISGA booth, the Ag Tent features the Illinois Farm Bureau stage (entertainment schedule not set as of press time) and the Hy Vee Illinois Products Store, which offers an array of Illinois food products and more. 

More theme days changed

In addition to changes to the traditional dates for Ag Day and County Fairs-Horse Racing Day, a few other changes to traditional theme days — and a few new additions— were recently announced. 

The Governor’s Sale of Champions is making a move to Governor’s Day, which will be Wednesday, Aug. 16. All fairgoers are encouraged and welcome to visit the Hall of Champions throughout the fair to visit with youth exhibitors and learn more about their prize-winning animals, according to Clark.

A new theme day for 2023, “Twosday,” will feature $2 admission for adults on Tuesday, Aug. 15. To enhance this family-friendly promotion, North American Midway, the fair’s carnival operator, will also offer all rides at $2 each. This is in addition to honoring all Mega Passes and Jumbo Passes sold before and during the fair.

“We took a look at our theme days and saw a couple of ways we could enhance our fairgoers’ experience,” said Clark. “From opening our gates earlier for a full day of horse racing, to exposing more Illinoisians to our state’s number one industry and offering affordable ways for families to enjoy the Illinois State Fair, our newly enhanced theme days will have something for everyone.”

Here is the complete list of the 2023 Illinois State Fair theme and discount days:

Thursday, Aug. 10- County Fairs & Horse Racing Day

Friday, Aug. 11- Agriculture Day

Saturday, Aug. 12– Kids Day

Sunday, Aug. 13- Veterans Day (Free admission for veterans and their families)

Monday, Aug. 14- Senior & Scout Day (Free Admission for seniors and scouts)

Tuesday, Aug. 15– Twosday ($2 Admission for seniors and adults)

Wednesday, Aug. 16– Governor’s Day

Thursday, Aug. 17- Republican Day

Friday, Aug. 18- First Responders & Healthcare Heroes Day (Free Admission for first responders and healthcare workers w/ID)

Saturday, Aug. 19- Park District Conservation Day

Sunday, Aug. 20– Family Day

The 2023 Illinois State Fair runs from August 10th through August 20th. The Fairgrounds are open from 7am to Midnight for the duration of the Fair. The Fair Administration Office is open from 8am to 6pm during the fair. Visit the ISF website (www.statefair.illinois.gov) for more information, including admission prices and daily schedule.