Traffic patterns to change for Illinois State Fair

Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 11:51 AM

By Staff report

The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Agriculture announced temporary changes in traffic patterns around the Illinois State Fairgrounds to accommodate the influx of vehicles during the fair.

Beginning at 5 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, IDOT will change the traffic flow around the fairgrounds to one way counterclockwise. In addition, both eastbound and westbound turn lanes from Veterans Parkway to Eighth Street will be closed. Temporary signs will inform motorists of the changes. Normal traffic patterns will resume by 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24.

Twilight Parade route

The Twilight Parade is Thursday, Aug. 13, with the route beginning in Lincoln Park. It will leave the park and proceed down Sangamon Avenue east to the Main Gate and through the fairgrounds. Staging for the parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. in Lincoln Park.

The parade route will close to traffic at 4 p.m., with detour signs along North Grand Avenue and Veterans and J. David Jones parkways in place. Browning Road also will be closed for the parade. The Parade Run begins at 5 p.m., and the state fair parade starts at 5:30 p.m. The route is expected to remain closed until 9 p.m. No public parking will be available for parade viewing in Lincoln Park or the Nelson Center. Patrons of the Nelson Center will be able to access the building by using First Street and Black Avenue.

Parking restrictions

Beginning Thursday, Aug. 13, parking will be prohibited on neighborhood streets south of Sangamon Avenue. These changes will remain in effect until the morning of Monday, Aug. 24.

For more information on the 2026 Illinois State Fair, visit https://statefair.illinois.gov/