The Illinois State Fair has been around since 1853, held for the first time in Springfield at a wooded 20-acre site located one mile west of the Old State Capitol.
From there, the State Fair went on to be held at 12 different cities across the state, including Alton, Centralia, Chicago, Decatur, Du Quoin, Freeport, Jacksonville, Olney, Ottawa, Peoria and Quincy.
After 40 years, Springfield was made its permanent home.
The Fair runs eleven days during the month of August and is filled with many attractions and entertainments, bringing in thousands of people from across the state to enjoy music, rides, expositions and other events that make the Illinois State Fair one of the most iconic fairs in the Midwest.