Visit the Illinois State Fair for Food, Fun and a Cow Made of Butter

Whether you’re looking for a Ferris wheel or a 500-pound cow made out of butter, the Illinois State Fair in Springfield has something for everyone.

More than 700,000 visitors from all over Illinois find themselves in the state capital in August each year for games and rides, arts and crafts, agriculture competitions, and live entertainment.

Enjoy the thrilling carnival rides, cash in your tickets for a giant stuffed animal, or enjoy live musical performances on several free entertainment stages. Stop by the Illinois Department of Agriculture tent for exhibits and competitions and experience cultures and foods from around the world in the Village of Cultures.

And what about that butter cow? Hand-sculpted each year from 500 pounds of unsalted butter, it has been the fair’s unofficial icon since the 1920s. And while you’re in the Dairy Building, stop for some ice cream, cream puffs and fresh milk.

The 2025 Illinois State Fair takes place Aug. 7-17. For more information, including directions to the fairgrounds and a full list of events, visit statefair.illinois.gov.