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* I truly enjoyed the Illinois State Fair this year. Obviously one reason was the perfect weather. But the entertainment was solid, the horse shows were fun as always, there were enough new food booths to keep me coming back for more and the fair’s fun quirkiness was ever present. So, I’m glad to see attendance was up…

Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the recently concluded Illinois State Fair reported its highest attendance in more than ten years. A total of 961,142 fairgoers passed through the gates this year, an increase of five percent – or 42,707 visitors – compared to a year ago, when attendance was 918,435. The figure is the fair’s highest attendance since 2002, when an estimated 1.2 million people visited the fair. […]

Several records were set during the 11-day run of the fair as well.

The Grandstand entertainment was the highest-grossing line-up in State Fair history with ticket sales of $2.03 million. The sales figure eclipsed the previous record of $1.57 million set just last year. Grandstand attendance totaled 53,287, the most since 2000, when 54,345 tickets were sold.

Toby Keith was the biggest draw - his concert sold 9,367 tickets, 144 more than the Styx and REO Speedwagon concert (9,223). Governor Quinn is one of Toby Keith’s biggest fans and attended his concert, where he declared “Toby Keith Day” in Illinois. […]

The increased spending at the fair boosts purchasing at local businesses, which in turn stimulates economic growth in the area. The Illinois Department of Revenue collected a record $257,584 in sales taxes from Illinois State Fair vendors. That’s seven percent more than was collected a year ago. With the sales tax rate in Sangamon County at 6.25 percent, that figure means fairgoers spent $4.1 million on corn dogs, lemon shake-ups, and assorted trinkets this year. Gate and parking revenue was $1,530,676, breaking the previous record set in 2012 of $1,513,884. North American Midway Entertainment, the fair’s carnival contractor, reported record gross receipts of $1.4 million, surpassing the $1.29 million it collected a year ago.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 22, 13 @ 10:19 am

Comments

Good. Maybe hardworking folks have a little more time and money to spend having fun, than the last few years.

Comment by walkinfool Thursday, Aug 22, 13 @ 10:32 am
I had a great time at the Fair. (But it broke my heart to see so many people squandering a beautiful day at this “attraction”: http://goo.gl/pscDxc )

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Thursday, Aug 22, 13 @ 10:38 am
Almost a million people and they only spent around $4.25 apiece? And when you take into account how many beers and corndogs Rich himself paid for himself that would skew the figures even lower per person. Revenues seem kind of low especially since the attendance figures don’t count the participants who are also spending money on lemon shakeups.

Comment by Been There Thursday, Aug 22, 13 @ 10:42 am
Awesome. Good clean fun and a grand tradition. Would like to see Willie make another appearance before he’s all done.

I’d also like to see some of our corporate “civic leaders” step up with sponsorships.

There are some mighty conspicuous absences on the list below. You feeling me, CME and CBOE? You’re in the ag business — how are those state tax breaks working out for you?

And how in the heck can John Deere not own the Illinois State Fair? The old man invented the self-scouring steel plow in Ogle County, for crying out loud.

http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/sponsor/

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 22, 13 @ 10:44 am
Amen to Wordslinger once again!

And how about Monsanto? They dominate our corn and bean production, and make piles of money in Illinois.

Comment by walkinfool Thursday, Aug 22, 13 @ 11:16 am
How about some love for the upcoming DuQuoin State fair. I know its the red headed step child of the state fairs, but us country folk here in Southern Illinois would appreciate some Capitol Fax Attention too. Just saying.

Comment by John A Logan Thursday, Aug 22, 13 @ 11:18 am
–How about some love for the upcoming DuQuoin State fair. I know its the red headed step child of the state fairs,–

Personally, I’m tired of the overwhelming influence DuQoin has on Illinois affairs. I mean, they’re own state fair? Is the state capitol in DuQoin or Springfield?

There is a state of Illinois north of I-64, you know.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 22, 13 @ 11:26 am
Was there with two adult kids and 6 grandkids ages seven and under for about six hours. Gkids had a lot of fun and surprisingly enough, weren’t too demanding or whiny. The lack of golf carts (and trams) in the busy areas is a great improvement; hope they keep it up.
I did help with the trams one day, and the new route will take you to within a block of two of most of the attractions-a great bargain for 4 bucks.

Comment by downstate commissioner Thursday, Aug 22, 13 @ 12:11 pm
- Word -

Chief DuQuoin would be displeased with your spelling. I need to come visit Chicugo sometime.

Comment by John A Logan Thursday, Aug 22, 13 @ 1:18 pm
Getting easier to set new grandstand high gross ticket sales records when a track ticket that use to cost $5.00 is now in the $50 range….just sayin’

Comment by Ready To Get Out Thursday, Aug 22, 13 @ 1:55 pm
Can we assume finally the attendance numbers are accurate? During previous governors- Ryan- it always claimed much higher numbers than actually attended. If so, good for Amy, and good for Downstate

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 22, 13 @ 2:16 pm
Anon 2:16….Don’t assume that, let’s just say the numbers are more accurate than in the past. As you say, they have previously been suspect but are getting closer to being accurate.

Comment by Ready To Get Out Thursday, Aug 22, 13 @ 2:47 pm
Not that it matters, but I have wondered why DuQuoin rated its own State Fair. I do not know the full history, but once read that Governor Len Small had a hand in building up the DuQuoin State Fair. Apparently, the old embezzler from Kankakee had a talent for staging fairs and picnics.

While I was happy to learn that the State Fair was prosperous this summer, I did wonder how many of the visitors opted to go to Springfield because it was too expensive to vacation out of state in these tough economic times?

Comment by None of the Above Thursday, Aug 22, 13 @ 3:50 pm
State fair is always a great time. Fun to try something new every year, and swinging by the butter cow is a must-do. Maybe next year they can even get some entertainment for Republican Day.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Aug 22, 13 @ 6:46 pm