Don’t Miss the Final Days of the Illinois State Fair

The Illinois State Fair enters its final weekend Saturday with two full days of entertainment, competitions, carnival rides, fair food and special events still ahead before the 2026 fair comes to a close Sunday night.

Saturday, Aug. 22, is Park District Conservation Day, with members of more than 45 park districts from across Illinois scheduled to entertain fairgoers and host activities in Conservation World.

Saturday will also feature a busy entertainment lineup. The Chicks, with Calder Allen, will take the Grandstand stage at 7 p.m., while the USAC Silver Crown Series auto races are also scheduled during the day.

At the Multi-Purpose Arena, Power Wheels competition begins at 5 p.m., followed by the Demolition Derby at 6 p.m.

The fair wraps up Sunday, Aug. 23, with Family Day, giving families one final opportunity to visit the midway, exhibits, livestock areas and other attractions. The final day will also include ARCA racing and a Grandstand concert featuring Shinedown with From Ashes to New at 8 p.m.

The closing weekend comes after an already memorable 2026 Illinois State Fair, including a new Grandstand attendance record.

Country star Lainey Wilson drew 15,533 fans to the Grandstand on Saturday, Aug. 15, setting a new Illinois State Fair concert attendance record. The crowd topped the previous record of 15,532, set by Megan Moroney in 2025, by just one person.

Another highlight came during the Miles of Smiles Parade, where organizations, marching bands and floats from Springfield and communities across Illinois were recognized.

HOPE of Springfield received the Governor's Award. Established in 1957, HOPE is a nonprofit agency serving individuals with disabilities and their families across six states. Through educational, residential and clinical services, the organization says its programming impacts more than 6,000 individuals annually.

Normal Marching Band captured first place in the marching band competition, followed by the Rochester High School Marching Rockets in second and the Golden Wave Marching Band from Farmington Central High School in third. The Mighty Marching Machine from Rich Township High School served as the Honor Band after winning in 2025.

The Sunroom Tanning of Springfield won the commercial float competition, followed by Bank of Springfield and Illinois National Bank.

America's Eagle of Georgetown took first place in the non-commercial float competition, with HSHS St. John's Hospital placing second and the Springfield Youth Hockey Association third.

Lanphier High School Cheer and Lionettes won the specialty unit competition, followed by Visit Springfield and the Cool Cruisers Car Club of Edinburg.

After more than a week of events and a record-setting year at the Grandstand, fairgoers have just Saturday and Sunday left to experience the 2026 Illinois State Fair before the gates close for another year.