Illinois State Fair to host 100 Days Out Celebration on Tuesday

The Illinois State Fair is marking 100 days until the opening of the 2025 Fair with a special "100 Days Out" Celebration on April 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Reisch Pavilion on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

State Fair favorites such as Taft's Mr. Ribeye, Food Baby, 17th Street Barbecue, Vose's Korndogs and Hae's Bakery & Coffee Shoppe will be selling food and drinks as a preview to the Illinois State Fair, which will run August 7-17. Plus, have lunch with us and get the chance to win the ultimate Illinois State Fair prize package—two track tickets to every Grandstand concert at the 2025 Illinois State Fair. Each food item purchased at the event earns a raffle ticket for entry, and you do not need to be present to win.

Discounted mega passes, jumbo passes, admission booklets and parking passes will also be available for purchase during the event.

"We are proud to showcase the Illinois State Fairgrounds following another record-breaking year," said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. "This 100 Days Out Celebration is an opportunity to look ahead in anticipation for the 2025 Illinois State Fair, which promises to be the biggest and best yet."

"This event is all about building excitement as we count down to opening day," said Rebecca Clark, Illinois State Fair Manager. " It's a great way to sample some of the Fair's most beloved foods, stock up on money-saving passes to the fair, and get the community energized for what's to come in August."

The Illinois State Fair 100 Days Out event is free to attend, and parking on the Illinois State Fairgrounds is also free.