The Illinois State Fair will be moving north – at least for one day this year.

The Cook County Farm Bureau and Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) plan to partner with Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights Sunday, May 29, for State Fair Family Day.

“It’s being held in the Junior Jockey Zone which is the family area of the track,” says Janet McCabe, an Orland Park farmer and Cook County Farm Bureau board member. “It starts at noon and we’ll be there until 4 p.m.”

In addition to horse racing, the event will feature state fair-themed activities, including pony rides, a giant slide, food on sticks, signed goggles from winning jockeys, and a “Farmer is In” exhibit for attendees to meet and talk with Illinois farmers.

“While the children are involved with activities, we’ll be able to hopefully have some dialogue with the parents,” says McCabe, who is helping organize the event.

IDOA hopes the weekend event upstate might coax Chicagoland residents downstate for the two fairs it manages.

“State Fair Family Day at Arlington provides the department with an outlet to reach an audience in northern Illinois and inform them about all the great, affordable, family friendly activities that the Illinois State Fair has to offer,” says Rebecca Clark, IDOA spokeswoman.

For more information on State Fair Day at Arlington Park International Racecourse, see these details on the Cook County Farm Bureau website, or the park’s website.

The Illinois State Fair in Springfield will be Thursday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Aug. 21. The Du Quoin State Fair in southern Illinois takes place Thursday, Aug. 25 through Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 5.

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