Illinois State Fair Sets All-Time Record For Revenue

The state says the 2019 Illinois State Fair had record estimated revenue of more than $6.5 million.

At a news conference on Thursday of this week, Illinois Fair officials said this year's total surpassed the previous record of $6.4 million set in 2013 and was about $750,000 higher than last year's total.

NBC-5 Chicago:

The data represents conservative estimates. Final figures for 2018 and 2019 will be released in an auditor's report in October or November.

Last month they announced the grandstand had a record-setting year: The 63,633 tickets sold brought in a record $2.3 million.

The estimated fair attendance total of nearly 509,000 last month was 37% higher than 2018's projection of just over 370,000, making it the largest attendance since 2014.

Sure, there are tons of thrill rides, mountains of great food, endless carnival games, and star-studded concerts at the Illinois State Fair, but the video below shows why folks keep coming back year after year.

The unveiling of the butter cow by the Illinois governor: