New At This Year's Illinois State Fair

SPRINGFIELD, IL — The 160th Illinois State Fair begins Thursday, Aug. 9 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 19 at the State Fairgrounds. According to the Illinois State Fair page on illinois.gov, admission is $10 each day for adults ages 13 to 59, with the exception of Thursday's Preview Day, Agriculture Day on Aug. 14 and Family Day on 19, when admission is $5 for adults. Regular admission price is free for children up to 12 years old, $3 for seniors 60 and older.

Parking is $5 each day or $40 for the season.

Hours: According to the fair webpage, the Fairgrounds are open from 7 a.m. to midnight each day, and the Fair Administration Office is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

According to the State Journal-Register, there are once again exciting new features waiting for this year's fairgoers:

• The Crazy Mouse Roller Coaster: The midway’s carnival rides will include the state fair’s first-ever roller coaster, which features freely spinning cars that drop and turn on a 1,300-foot track. The roller coaster reaches 30 mph and over 40-feet tall.
• 200 Years of Illinois Military History, Aug. 12: The Illinois Veterans will be celebrating the state's 200 years of military history. The presentation will take place on the Lincoln Stage, as the fair celebrates its veterans day.
• Fall Football Preview, Aug. 13: Channel1450 and Neuhoff Media will be hosting a fall football preview on the Rising Star Stage on Monday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. The preview will open with special guest speaker Josh Whitman, athletic director of the University of Illinois. The State-Journal Register said students and coaches from local CS8 high school football teams preview their seasons starting at 7 p.m.
• Duck and Turkey Calling: This different, new calling event joins the Husband and Hog Calling contest this year.

Other new features? A sports bar, Outlaw 5J Rodeo and more, which can be found along with other information on the State Journal-Register website or www2.illinois.gov/statefair.

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