PEORIA, Ill. — The Heart of Illinois (HOI) Fair, part of summer in central Illinois since 1949, has undergone many transitions over the years. Beginning as a small agricultural fair located at what then was the city of Peoria’s far northwest fringe, by the early 1960s the HOI Fair had become a top Midwest summer destination due to the quality of its grandstand shows. Bob Hope, Marty Robbins and Kenny Rogers are but just a few of the major entertainers to grace the fair’s grandstand stage during its heyday.

The double whammy of the early 1980s farm crisis and a grueling, 205 day strike in 1982-83 by United Auto Workers employed by Caterpillar — which until recent years was headquartered in Peoria — served to shut the area down economically and crush fair attendance. Grandstand shows featuring nationally touring acts were eventually eliminated, and the fair began a decades-long spiral in terms of attendance, vendors and public perception. 

However, a change in fair management in 2016 has helped breathe new life into the fair. New fair director Roxy Baker understood that the fair’s halcyon days began in the 1950s when relatively few entertainment options were available to local residents. Today, a thriving Peoria riverfront, movie theaters, smartphones, computer games and wifi-based television all stand in competition for consumer dollars.  

Baker encouraged Heart of Illinois Fair directors to reduce the number of days of the fair from nine to five. Baker told news sources at the time that cost was a consideration, especially when the fair relies on donations and sponsorships while receiving little state and government funding. 

Baker also helped institute other small changes to the HOI Fair, including adjusting some showtimes for animal and craft competitions to later in the day so more fairgoers would have an opportunity to be present. A Celebrity Swine Showmanship Exhibition was added, providing opportunities for local first responders, elected officials and media personalities to lead a showpig through its paces. In response to the changes, crowds began to return to the fairgrounds, which is still located at Exposition Gardens on Northmoor Road in Peoria.

The 2022 HOI Fair ran from Tuesday, July 19 through Saturday, July 23. A visit on opening day showed that along with the obligatory Midway carnival and rows of concession trailers, two new attractions, The Rock-n-Circus and Aussie Kingdom Animal Adventures, were making their debuts. Various local food trucks also were sprinkled throughout the fairgrounds. 

Returning were The Show Me Swine Pig Races and the Petting Zoo. Members of the Peoria Magicians Assembly were performing in the Youth Building, and the Unique Twist Balloon Artist was on site.  The Highway J Band performed following the fair’s Hero Award ceremony, which honored outstanding Peoria city and county law enforcement and firefighters. 

In addition, The Dog House in the Exhibit Building held UKC All-Breed dog shows including tiny and giant breeds competing for championship points and Best of Show. Puppies also competed for Best Puppy in Show. The 2022 Miss Heart of Illinois Fair Queen, Jr. Miss Heart of Illinois Fair Queen and Little Miss Heart of Illinois Fair Queen were on hand. 

Motorsports competitions included tractor pulls, a stock semi-truck pull and demo derbie. Livestock competitions included beef, dairy, sheep, swine and junior swine. Home arts competitions were held  in garden and ag products, floriculture, textiles, photography, food and hobbies. 

For more information on the HOI fair visit ExplorePeoria.com and the fair’s website, www.heartofillinoisfair.com.