The Illinois State Fair opens its 11-day run today on the north side of Springfield. Opening day is County Fair and Horse Racing Day.
More than 70 county fair queens and representatives from 105 fairs across the state will be on the fairgrounds.
The first day of harness racing is scheduled for the grandstand.
Casey Donahew is the spotlight artist of the fair on the Grand Central Stage under the Reisch Pavilion at 7:30 in the first free concert of the fair sponsored by Woodward Community Media.
The rodeo is featured at the Multi-Purpose Arena tonight.
The Twilight Parade steps from Lincoln Park at 5:30, moving along honorary parade grand marshal Route 66 on Sangamon Avenue to the main gate on Main Street, then Illinois Avenue, Grandstand Avenue and exiting through Lot 21.
Traffic around the fairgrounds is one-way counterclockwise on Sangamon Avenue, Peoria Road, Taintor Road and 5th Street. More information is at statefair.illinois.gov.
