The Illinois State Fair Grounds is where the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service office (not seen) is located, in Springfield, IL, on Nov. 2, 2011. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

Illinois State Fair Announces Free Grandstand Show and Special Sale for Two Other Shows

By Greg Halbleib Aug 1, 2025 | 5:22 AM

With less than one week before the opening of the Illinois State Fair, organizers announced a free grandstand concert and special sales this weekend for two other shows.

Country artist Randy Houser is scheduled to perform a free show at the grandstand on Monday, August 11. No tickets will be required.

Track and Tier 1 seats for the Jake Owen concert on Friday, August 8 will be on sale for $25 and for The Chainsmokers show on Friday, August 15 for $85 at Ticketmaster.com from 10 a.m. Saturday to 11:45 p.m. Sunday by using code SUMMER25.

Additional screening will be used at the fair’s grandstand concerts this year with no bags allowed larger than 14 by 8 inches.

The theme of this year’s fair is “Adventure Awaits.” Illinois Department of Agriculture Deputy Director Kristi Jones said last year’s state fair contributed $86 million to the local and regional economy with sales tax revenue of $2.6 million.