SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — This year’s Illinois State Fair focused on youth. The Illinois State Fair took place from August 8-18 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.  Illinois Governor JB Pritzker selected the Illinois 4-H to serve as Grand Marshals for the annual Twilight Parade that kicked off the fair at 5:30 leaving Lincoln Park they headed down Sangamon Avenue and led the way into Main Street onto Illinois Avenue. 

Jerry Costello II, the Illinois Department of Agriculture Director said, “4-H captures the spirit of agriculture in Illinois.  I couldn’t be happier to watch ag education programs continue to grow in both rural and urban communities, expanding opportunities through hands-on-experience and exposure to the industry.”

4H is alive and well in Illinois with more than 6,100 youth that participate in the state fair each year through various projects supported by their families, 4-H staff and volunteers. Visitors to the Illinois State Fair may notice the 4-H Master Gardeners which was one of the stops on the tram service that returned to the fair this year. The garden is just one of the stops set on the fairgrounds 366 acres. 

Besides the busy 4-H youth competing in various ways the FFA also had a large presence at the fair as well.  A big draw for kids of all ages is the Illinois FFA Barnyard. Visitors got a chance to experience baby pigs, calves and other barnyard animals. 

Carver Anderson, an FFA youth greeted visitors wanting to check out some of the cattle on display.  Kaydance Wooten, who is in her 4th year of the Illinois Association of FFA shared about the youth working in the Illinois FFA Barnyard. “We are part of the State team and part of the State Association.  Five of us are state officers.” 

Kaydance hails from Weldon, Illinois.  Overseeing the activities was John Edgar.  He works at the Illinois FFA Center that represents FFA leaders and Agriculture teachers. 

While many think that FFA is only for farm kids, that image and reality has changed over the years.  On the Illinois FFA Center website, they share who FFA is for. “FFA is not just for students who want to be production farmers; FFA also welcomes members who aspire to careers as teachers, doctors, scientists, business owners and more. Illinois FFA members are future chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers and premier professionals in many career fields.  FFA is an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership.”

Both 4-H, and FFA students could be seen all over the Illinois State Fairgrounds.  The FFA youth were easy to identify in their FFA t-shirts. 

For those unable to attend the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Illinois, there is still a chance to enjoy the DuQuoin State Fair that runs through Sept. 2 at the DuQuoin, Illinois fairgrounds. This 102-year-old fair is located on over 1200 acres.  With two opportunities to visit an Illinois State Fair, 4H and FFA youth have multiple opportunities to shine in the Prairie State.