Prizewinner
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Translation: the Illinois State Fair fund includes revenues from all events held at the fairgrounds throughout the year, from the fair to horse shows to wedding receptions, and makes them available to subsidize the Illinois State Fair. Additionally, the fair receives roughly $500,000 in general revenue funds for contest awards and premiums.

The latest compliance examination, released by the office of Illinois Auditor General William Holland in May 2008, reported that the Illinois State Fair was in the red during the studied two-year period. Expenditures totaled $7.4 million and revenues totaled $3.9 million, yielding a $3.4 million deficit for the 2007 fair. Comparably, expenditures totaled $7.8 million and revenues totaled $4 million, yielding a $3.8 million deficit for the 2006 fair. Figures for the 2008 and 2009 fairs will not be released until 2010. The Illinois State Fair, operating on an estimated $5 million budget this year, will feature special traditions such as harness racing and the butter cow unveiling, but will also add elements to attract new and different crowds.

“An All-American Fair” celebrates both the Bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln and the presidency of Barack Obama. New exhibits include “Looking for Lincoln,” an opportunity for communities to highlight their connection to Honest Abe, and “Illinois Innovations,” an opportunity for colleges to showcase new inventions. Exotic creatures like monkeys and bears join the variety of animal exhibits and a new demolition derby jumpstarts the list of available entertainment.

“It is a good time to celebrate all of the great people who have come from our state, people who have accomplished wonderful things, but more important, good, old-fashioned American values and fun,” Bliefnick says. Due to efforts to be more fiscally responsible, the Illinois State Fair will depend on fewer resources. Bliefnick points out that there is a smaller staff, fewer summer employees and fewer dollars going into Grandstand events.

Organizers have spent nearly $1 million on the 2009 Grandstand lineup, featuring various entertainers such as Kelly Clarkson, Montgomery Gentry and Heart. That’s a 20 percent drop from previous years. According to the Auditor General’s report, $1.2 million was spent on Grandstand shows in both 2006 and 2007. They always hope for regenerated revenue through concert ticket sales, Bliefnick says. “It’s great to have Grandstand concerts at night, because they have a large crowd,” she says. “It really adds to the attendance throughout the daytime and gives people a reason to come to the fair.” The Illinois State Fair historically boasted the cheapest admission rates in the nation: $3 for adults and free for kids 12 and younger.

This year, organizers will increase admission prices for the first time in 19 years. Adults will now pay $5, children ages 5 to 12 pay $2 and kids under 5 get in free. It’s still affordable, Bliefnick says, since the average national state fair admission fee for adults is $8.50 and families can access free entertainment, play and activity areas once they enter the fairgrounds.

“It’s always been a goal of ours to make sure that families can afford to come,” Bliefnick says. “It is an increase, but it’s a modest increase compared to other types of entertainment.”

Bliefnick doesn’t worry about competition. She expects Chicago north-siders to attend the Wisconsin State Fair and southern Illinoisans to attend the Du Quoin State Fair, since they’re closer to home. Bliefnick does wish that she could reach locals who have never been to the fair. “Those are the people I just want to grab and say, ‘Oh please, just come once and try it,’” she says. “If people came to the fair and knew different things that they get to see and experience, I think they would be repeat attendees.”