State Fair wraps up successful run

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The bow has been tied on the 2022 Illinois State Fair. While it will be a few weeks before official audited attendance numbers will be available, there are several factors that point to a successful year.

From the Orr Building to the Coliseum and everything in between, youth projects were on full display in 2022.

Overall, nearly 4,500 youth exhibitors participated in showing livestock, 4-H projects and hobby arts and crafts projects gaining invaluable experience during the 11-day event.

Topping off the livestock competitions, the Governor’s Sale of Champions raised over $220,000 for youth livestock exhibitors, 4-H and FFA organizations.

“Youth exhibitors are what make the Illinois State Fair what it is,” said Illinois State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark. “To see the pride on young exhibitors’ faces when they show a project after a year’s work is priceless.”

Ten great nights of entertainment were featured on the Illinois Lottery Grandstand stage, highlighted by Brooks & Dunn, who drew 10,142 concertgoers on the first Sunday of the fair.

Over 36,000 vehicles were parked on the grounds thanks to the help of nearly 60 local charities that volunteered more than 15,000 services hours for the assignment.

The American Business Club of Springfield has provided this service at the Illinois State Fair since 2004, giving back more than $1.6 million to volunteer groups since the project’s inception.

Longstanding fair vendors saw increases in sales. Cullers’ French Fries even reported historic revenue numbers.

“We have been in business for 77 years, a vendor at the Illinois State Fair for 75 years, and have never seen numbers like we did in 2022,” said Jim and Darcie Cullers, owners of Cullers’ French Fries.

“The first Saturday of the fair was the highest grossing day for Cullers’ ever at any fair. That record didn’t last long though the very next day we topped those numbers.”

Several fair vendors reported record-breaking numbers of supplies used including:

• Illinois Specialty Growers sold 3,459 apple cider slushies, or 445 gallons of cider; 4,210 peaches, or 125 half bushels; and 2,141 cuts of watermelon, or 425 whole watermelons.

• New vendor MiaBella’s Wood Fired Pizza went through 81 gallons of dill pickles, which were used to serve up its Golden Abe award winning Dilly Dilly Pizza.

• Schneider’s Elephant Ears, which normally goes through 30 boxes of dough, went through 44 boxes, with each box making 100 elephant ears.