SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The head of the Illinois State Fair says attendance was good this year, despite the fair getting off to a stormy start, and despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kevin Gordon, State Fair Manager, says after last year’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic, as the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder.
“People not being able to go to a fair for a year, they’re back out,” Gordon said. “During the week, we’ve had good attendance. Kids come home from school, they do their homework, they get something to eat. A lot of times, they’ll just come out here.”
Gordon says COVID-19 didn’t cause too many issues.
“Very enthusiastic crowds,” Gordon said. “Even with the mask mandate, you see people, they absolutely have no problem with it. They’re coming out, they’re having fun, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Final attendance figures are not yet available. The first day of the fair was all but completely cancelled after strong thunderstorms swept the Springfield fairgrounds, including a concert by rocker Sammy Hagar.
Gordon said there were less vendors this year, and COVID was likely to blame for that, because some vendors just couldn’t get the supplies they needed, and others went out of business.
The Illinois State Fair ended Sunday.
