Springfield, IL – Honest Abe will be lonely this summer without crowds visiting the Illinois State Fairgrounds, but organizers say canceling the events is the right move. Gov. JB Pritzker canceled the annual events in Springfield and Du Quoin through an executive order on Friday. The COVID-19 pandemic comes a year after historic attendance numbers and Grandstand ticket sales.

State leaders spent months debating the safest options for the events. Illinois State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon says canceling will have a drastic impact on farmers, vendors, and exhibitors; but safety is always the top priority.

"We exhausted every single option, and that’s probably why we were one of the last Midwest fairs to cancel," Gordon said.

He adds it would be extremely challenging to hold the fairs in a COVID-19 environment. Gordon explains face coverings and social distancing would be too difficult to enforce with thousands of people each day.

Livestock Expo this fall

While both fairs are major tourist attractions, the cancellation will also impact summer for young farmers. The show rings will be quite different without fans in the stands to see the livestock and competitors. Participants will still be able to show their animals in the Junior Livestock Expo, but Gordon says the animals won’t stay on the fairgrounds this year. They are calling it a "show and go" event this fall.

"We’re gonna do it over two weekends in September. They’ll pull in and bring the animal off the trailer," Gordon said. "They’ll bring them into the show ring. He’ll show, and then they’ll go home and be on their way."

Organizers also expanded the Junior field to allow non-FFA and 4-H members the opportunity to show their livestock. Gordon says the 4-H General Project Show will be held virtually, so teens can still display their hard work.

Planning is already underway for the 2021 State Fair. The event is set for August 12-22. Gordon says people will have plenty to look forward to. "We’re going to add a new exhibit at our Gate 2 area. We’re also going to expand our Agriculture tent. There will be some more options in our carnival and upgrades with the mega pass." His team is already working to find Grandstand performers for next summer.

"It seems that the entertainers and artists are starting to book well in advance and putting their tours together, especially the country people. You got to stay on the ball there and make sure you don’t miss an opportunity down the road."

The 2021 Illinois State Fair is set for August 12-22 and the Du Quoin State Fair will be August 27-September 6.