Fair Season Continues in Du Quoin

With the Illinois State Fair in Springfield now over, Sangamon County residents who did not get enough fair food, rides and entertainment can head south as the 2026 Du Quoin State Fair gets underway for an 11-day run through Labor Day.

The fair runs Friday, Aug. 28, through Monday, Sept. 7, at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in southern Illinois. The fairgrounds open at 8 a.m. each day, while the fair operates from 11 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, 10 a.m. to midnight on weekends and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Labor Day.

Admission is free for adults and children throughout the fair. Daily parking costs $10 at the South Gate and Gate 4 lots or $15 at the Gate 1 lot. Parking fees must be paid in cash.

The trip gives central Illinois residents an opportunity to experience a different state fair atmosphere, with carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, food vendors, free family entertainment, horse events and racing spread across the Du Quoin fairgrounds.

Grandstand entertainment begins Saturday, Aug. 29, with rapper Wiz Khalifa. Country artists Kameron Marlowe and Ashley Cooke will perform Sunday, Aug. 30, followed by Tyler Hubbard on Thursday, Sept. 3, Night Ranger on Friday, Sept. 4, Russell Dickerson on Saturday, Sept. 5, and Randy Houser on Labor Day. All six concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.

Concert tickets range from $25 to $60, depending on the performance and seating level. Parking is not included with a Grandstand ticket, and children ages 3 and older must have a ticket to attend a concert.

Motorsports are also a major part of the Du Quoin State Fair. The fairgrounds’ Magic Mile Track is scheduled to host ARCA and USAC Silver Crown racing, while harness racing is among the fair’s traditional attractions.

The Half Mile Track will host an Illinois Tractor Pullers Association tractor pull at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31. A demolition derby is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5. Tickets for each event are $10 for adults and $5 for children, with children younger than 3 admitted free.

Visitors can also attend horse pulls, horse and mule shows, barrel racing and other activities at the Open-Air Horse Show Arena. Admission to events held at the arena is free.

The North American Midway Carnival will operate throughout the fair. Unlimited-ride wristbands cost $35 on weekends, opening day and Labor Day and $30 on weekdays. Individual ride tickets are also available.

The Illinois Product Expo will offer Illinois-made and Illinois-grown products, including jams, honey, seasonings, coffee, baked goods, candles and other merchandise. Illinois wine will also be featured, and qualifying food items can be purchased using LINK benefits.

Several theme days are planned during the fair, including Veterans Day on Aug. 30, Agriculture Day on Aug. 31, Senior Day on Sept. 2, Illinois Tourism Day on Sept. 4, Coal Heritage and SIU Day on Sept. 5, First Responder Day on Sept. 6 and Labor Day on Sept. 7.

Camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis at the fairgrounds for $25 per night. The campground includes more than 1,000 sites with electric and water service, along with primitive camping areas, bathhouses and access to a fishing lake.

Complete daily schedules, ticket information and additional details are available on the Du Quoin State Fair website.