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The 2021 Illinois State Fair saw over 472,000 visitors walk through the gates making it the second highest attended fair since the department began tracking formal attendance numbers in 2014. Attendance at this year’s fair was surpassed only by the historic records set in 2019. The first weekend of the 2021 fair also saw attendance numbers increase by over 15,000 people compared to 2019.
“The record attendance at this year’s state fair marks not only a successful return to the fairgrounds but a return to treasured traditions, community competition, and family fun after a difficult year,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Most importantly, the Department of Agriculture and the organizers of this year’s fair were able to welcome us back safely with strong COVID protocols in place – making sure the health of fairgoers came first as we enjoyed all the fair has to offer.”
“We were happy to be able to hold the 2021 Illinois State Fair after it was canceled in 2020 and now seeing how many people came out to enjoy it with us is really special,” said Illinois State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon. “Obviously this being the first fair after 2019’s near record setting year for attendance, the bar was set pretty high. I think being able to overcome the challenges brought on by the pandemic and safely bring back so many families to the fairgrounds is a great accomplishment.”
Grandstand ticket sales and revenue saw over 44,500 tickets, generating over $1.5 million in revenue. Overall revenue numbers are not final, but the 2021 Illinois State Fair is estimating an overall revenue slightly over $5 million, ranking ninth for total revenue out of the last 20 years.
Lot of optimistic spin in that release.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:28 pm
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With many schools starting the school year earlier, perhaps the state fair should be moved a week or two earlier. I know several families with kids unable to travel to Springfield for the fair because of this.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:40 pm
Anyone who was actually at the Fair and witnessed the “crowds” there will find this claim to be, um, suspect.
Comment by fs Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:40 pm
The first weekend the attendance seemed about “normal”, but the second weekend was not so good. On Friday night at 6, when the place should have been packed, it looked like a Tuesday morning.
Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 1:04 pm
The 2019 fair was boosted by a tremendous grandstand line up. Look at the last weekend of the fair numbers in 2019 and 2021 for the evidence in what a big show will do for attendance.
And I was at the fair for 8 of the 11 days. And I don’t find the numbers suspect.
The first Friday, Saturday and Sunday were huge. Ask the vendors, they will tell you.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 1:38 pm
With the kids back in school that week, the only day time weekday visitors not exhibiting were retirees and the unemployed. Fair says it’s too hard logistically to push it back a week because change is bothersome.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 1:39 pm
We usually go for 3 or 4 days each year. For our kids, school started the first Friday of the Fair, so weekdays were going to be tough. We went the first Sunday. Looks like they had a different vendor for the rides. Our kids and a lot their friends complained that most of their favorite rides were not there this year. Seemed like a few of the regular food vendors were also missing. Most of the fun activities in Conservation World were missing because of Covid, BB gun range, archery, giant canoe rides, etc. First year I can remember where our kids were not begging to go back all week. When we asked if they wanted to go back the second weekend, they gave us a thumbs down. It’s all anecdotal, but a lot of our friends/neighbors had similar stories. I wonder if the drop in attendance was from fellow locals that just weren’t impressed by what was out there this year. Having the Twilight Parade/opening day get rained out probably didn’t help either.
Comment by NoMoreMC Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 2:02 pm
I went several days. Attendence was sparse. I have a real problem believing those numbers.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 2:46 pm
Do you have figures for the DuQuoin Fair?
Comment by The Old Man Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 2:50 pm
I know of two unrelated cases of friends catching COVID there. Am I the only one?
Comment by JLW Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 3:55 pm
I had the misfortune of being at the fair several days. I claim BS
Comment by Lurker Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 6:32 pm
Half the vendors, half the attendance, half the Fair. I can’t believe those numbers even if I had 12 fingers. Too late in the month as you lose the kids. Go back to the drawing board. Why can Minnesota get 2 million visitors (as does Texas) and Iowa over a million? They invested in their fairground facilities, which Illinois has just realized it has to do before it crumbles into dust. A few corporate logos on buildings could do wonders in terms of financial support.
Comment by Joe Schmoe Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 8:06 pm
Joe - So first off the Minnesota State Fair had 1.3 million attend - NOT 2 million. Secondly the metro population where the fair is held is 3.69 million people. Third - the fair is 12 days long.
The Texas State Fair is situated in the 4th largest metro population in the country. Des Moines metro population is 552,000 people.
If the Illinois State Fair was held in Arlington Heights or Rosemont or the City of Chicago, I bet more than a 1 million people would show up.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:30 pm