SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Fans of the Illinois State Fair and the DuQuoin State Fair will have to wait until next year to get their fix.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an executive order on June 12 canceling both of the Illinois state fairs for 2020.
“The Illinois and DuQuoin State Fairs have been some of my favorite opportunities to celebrate our agricultural communities and the residents who make Illinois so exceptional. 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,” said Pritzker in his statement.
“We are obviously disappointed that we will not be able to hold the 2020 Illinois State Fair. Our staff has been working hard to top what we did last year, and we feel like we were on track to do so. With that being said, we also understand that this is an unprecedented event,” said Kevin Gordon, manager of the Illinois State Fair.
The two Illinois state fairs join a list of state fair cancellations, including the Iowa, Indiana and Wisconsin state fairs.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced it will conduct a junior livestock expo in Springfield in September for exhibitors ages 8 to 21 to show their animals. Details on that expo will be released later.
The 4-H general project show will take place online, and IDOA will distribute premiums and ribbons.
“These kids work all year to prepare for their livestock and projects, so we are determined to still provide them an event that showcases their hard work and perseverance through a very difficult year,” said Jerry Costello II, acting director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.