Illinois and Du Quoin State Fairs canceled due to COVID-19

Posted on June 12, 2020
Illinois State Fairgrounds
The State Fair was previously canceled from 1942-1945 due to World War II. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Illinois State Fair)

 

By Neil Doyle

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois and Du Quoin State Fairs have been canceled this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“The Illinois and Du Quoin State Fairs have been some of my favorite opportunities to celebrate our agricultural communities and the residents who make Illinois so exceptional,” said Gov. JB Pritzker in a prepared statement. “But it’s because the fairs are such a treasure to so many thousands of people that my administration, like those of our neighboring Midwestern states, must make the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 State Fairs in light of the risk posed by COVID-19.”

Due to the cancellations of the fairs, the Illinois Department of Agriculture will host a Junior Livestock Expo in Springfield in September, for Illinois exhibitors ages 8-21 to show their animals. The 4-H General Project Show will take place virtually, with premiums and ribbons to be distributed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Details regarding entry and operations are forthcoming.

The State Fair was previously canceled from 1942-1945 due to World War II, as the fairgrounds were used as a U.S. Army Airforce supply depot. The Fair was also cancelled in 1862 due to the Civil War and was replaced in 1893 by the World’s Columbia Expo in Chicago.

Last year, the Illinois State Fair in Springfield set records for the grandstand and near record numbers for attendance.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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