Illinois State Fair: Food, Fun and a Cow Made of Butter
May 16, 2011By Blair Thomas
Illinois State Fair
August 10-19, 2012
Springfield
Whether you’re looking for a Ferris wheel or a 500-pound cow made out of butter, the Illinois State Fair has something for everyone.
More than 600,000 visitors from all over the state find themselves in Springfield in late August each year for games and rides, arts and crafts, agriculture competitions, and live entertainment.
Cash in your tickets for a giant stuffed panda or enjoy the carnival rides in the Adventure Village. Enjoy live musical performances on the Lincoln and Northwest stages. Experience cultures and foods from around the world in the Ethnic Village.
And what about that butter cow? Hand-sculpted each year from unsalted butter over a wire and wood frame, it has been the fair’s unofficial icon since the 1920s.
Read more about the Illinois State Fair’s other famous food, the Meat Parfait, by clicking here.
The fair has featured themes for every day, with 2012 Illinois State Fair dates including Horse Racing Day (August 10), Agriculture Day (August 14), Park District Conservation Day (August 18), and Family Day (August 19).
For more information including directions to the fairgrounds and a full list of events, visit the state fair website.
