By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ two state fairs likely will never make money, but fair leaders hope a new private foundation will help the fairs in Springfield and Du Quoin at least lose less money.
The Illinois State Fair in Springfield got close to breaking even last year. Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Raymond Poe said the Grandstand concerts might have even made a few bucks.
But it costs a lot of money to put on two fairs, about $9.5 million in all.
That’s why Poe has high hopes for the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation that is looking to sell naming rights and take donations to help pay for maintenance at the two fairgrounds.
“We’ve got to hook up with some of these corporate sponsors who want to adopt buildings,” Poe said. “Someone told me that Iowa saw $120-something million run through their foundation. That’d be our goal.”
But Poe points out that the Illinois state fairs are about Illinois agriculture and showcasing the hard work of young people from across the state.
“We’re promoting the No. 1 industry in Illinois, agriculture,” Poe said. “And that will always be foremost.”
As for why two state fairs? Fair Manager Kevin Gordon said a decades-old law requires two.
“By statute, we have to have two state fairs,” Gordon said. “That was Gov. Jim Thompson’s deal.”
Gordon added that the Du Quoin fair is a showcase and an economic shot in the arm for southern Illinois to the tune of about $9 million a year.
The State Fair in Springfield runs until Aug. 20. In Du Quoin, the fair begins Aug. 25.
