SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois State Fair takes place through Aug. 20 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.  At the Media Day event held Aug. 3,  Mike Hall was present with his 1963 Allis Chamers D15 to take media around on Ag Tours after the briefing. Hall explained this year a bevy of antique tractors would be on display at Happy Hollow.  “The Antique Ag Expo will be in Happy Hollow, we haven’t been there for several years,” Hall said. We are excited about tractors coming and want to promote Farmall’s 100th anniversary.”

Hall’s antique Allis Chalmers will also be providing ag tour rides for visitors to the fair.  “We will be doing tours twice a day.” 

At the media day event, Jerry Costello, the Director of the Department of Agriculture shared the 2023 theme “Harvest the Fair”.  “There are lots of items that have been revitalized at the fair, and now we are harvesting the hard work.”

Some of the highlights of the infrastructure investments and capital improvements that have been done at the Illinois State Fair include the renovated train station for kids entertainment in Adventure Village, electrical upgrades in the camping area, updates of the sprinkler system in barn stalls and more.  They are moving into Phase II at the historic Coliseum which now has more ADA accessibility. One of the biggest investments was $8.6 million to provide a new canopy and structural repair of the foundation and terraced walls at the newly opened multi-Purpose Arena.

The Illinois State Fair Queen Clay County Fair Queen Paige Van Dyke was at the media day.  Paige is the daughter of Jon and Katrina Van Dyke of Louisville, Illinois. A student at Oklahoma State University majoring in ag communications, she is the first Clay County Queen to win this title. “The first time I attended the Illinois State Fair, I was seven months old” she said. “I haven’t missed a fair since.”

She said if she isn’t out and about at the fair that she will be in the livestock area trading high heels for boots!

Rebecca Clark, the Illinois State Fair Manager, shared one of the new initiatives this year is a Sensory Station located in Kid’s Corner. On Aug. 12 it will offer “sunflower hours” with reduced noise and bustle to accommodate those with sensory overload issues. 

Natalie Phelps Finnie, the Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources welcomed visitors to come to Conservation World.  Director Finne has farm roots. She shared that along with her position as Director, that she and her family also raise cattle. “We invite you to come to conservation world, a 300-acre park,” she shared.

She also added that this year there will be opportunities to try what was formerly known as Asian Carp. The name of the invasive fish has been hanged to “Copi” and is said to be a delicious tasting fish that will be offered at the fair.  Using fish as a food option also is a great way to remove it from the waterways. 

To close out the media day prior to offering opportunities for the ag tour, Kendra Anderson, of the Midwest Dairy Association unveiled the new ice cream flavor for this year’s fair, cookies and cream. 

 For more information about the Illinois State Fair, check out their website at Illinois State Fair.