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Illinois State Fair celebrates more than 170 years of history

• agriculture
• Illinois
• State Fair

Long before the Ferris wheel, corn dogs and concerts became staples of Springfield, the Illinois State Fair was already bringing people together.

The first Illinois State Fair was held in Springfield in 1853, when the city was a small capital and Abraham Lincoln was serving his final year in the Illinois General Assembly. The fair was designed primarily to show off agriculture, livestock, industry, education and the arts. Admission cost 25 cents, and as many as 20,000 people attended its third day.

The following year, the fair became an unlikely stage for Illinois politics. U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas spoke at the 1854 fair, with Lincoln delivering a rebuttal the next day.

Springfield did not remain the fair’s permanent home immediately. The event traveled to 12 different Illinois communities over the years including Chicago, Peoria, Quincy, Decatur and Centralia. It eventually returned to Springfield for good, with the first permanently located fair opening Sept. 24, 1894.

Much of the fairgrounds history remains visible today. The exposition building, constructed in 1894, is the oldest building on the grounds. The fairgrounds also acquired the Dome building from the 1893 World’s Colombian Exposition in Chicago. The massive structure was reassembled in Springfield for the 1895 fair, but was destroyed by a fire in 1917.

Today, the fair covers 366 acres, and has grown into an 11-day event. It features a wide variety of events, staying true to its roots featuring livestock and agriculture, but also modernizing with things like concerts and unconventional food.

More than 170 years after the first fair, the Illinois State Fair remains a staple in Springfield. It connects the past of Lincoln and Douglas to the present of how we see Illinois today.

Illinois Department of Agriculture to host first Illinois Product Expo in Chicago

• Chicago
• agriculture

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is hosting the first-ever Illinois Product Expo in Chicago on Friday, Oct. 16 from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum at the University of Illinois Chicago, located at 725 W Roosevelt Rd.

The event aims to connect consumers with a diverse range of Illinois-made products while highlighting farmers, entrepreneurs and small businesses.  

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Serving up tradition at the Burgoo Festival

• Festival
• Utica

Ditch the crockpot and head to downtown Utica to enjoy a fresh bowl of traditional burgoo stew and community festivities from Oct. 10-11 at the 56^th Annual Burgoo Festival hosted by the LaSalle County Historical Society.

The event’s signature dish, burgoo stew, dates back to the 19^th century when early settlers used this meal to feed large groups. The ingredients for this stew include beef, carrots, potatoes, hominy, celery, tomatoes, cabbage, onions, peppers and other vegetables blended with spices and herbs.

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Step back in time at ‘Shadows of the Blue and Gray’

History will come to life in Princeton this October as one of Illinois’ unique fall traditions returns for its 30th year.

Shadows of the Blue and Gray will take over City-County Park in Princeton Oct. 10-11, offering visitors the chance to experience Civil War-era life through living history demonstrations, reenactments and educational activities.

Rather than simply reading about the past, visitors can walk through Civil War camps and speak with reenactors portraying soldiers and civilians from the 1860s. Reenactors will share what everyday life was like during the Civil War era, giving guests a closer look at the experiences of those who lived through one of the most consequential periods in American history.

One of the highlights of the weekend will be a narrated mock battle held on both Saturday and Sunday. The demonstrations will feature infantry, cavalry and artillery, while smaller skirmishes may also break out across the grounds throughout the day.

Younger visitors can get involved, too. Children will have the opportunity to complete a scavenger hunt while exploring the event, with a prize waiting for those who finish.

The weekend also continues its educational mission with a free School Day on Friday, Oct. 9. Local public, private and homeschool groups can attend by appointment, giving students an opportunity to experience history outside of the classroom.

Admission for the public is $5 per person, while children 3 and younger can attend for free. Food will be available on site, and visitors are also welcome to bring their own.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply looking for a different way to spend a fall weekend in Illinois, Shadows of the Blue and Gray offers a chance to step into the past and see history from a new perspective.

Learn more and plan your visit through the Shadows of the Blue and Gray website.