Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair Today

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Today is Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair and many events are planned to encourage fairgoers to learn about and get more involved in agriculture today. 

Two contests geared toward younger fairgoers are Cutest Little Farmer and the Children’s Pedal Pull Competition. The Cutest Little Farmer contest is set for 11:00 a.m. in the Department of Agriculture tent. The Pedal Pull Competition will happen at The Shed at 1:30 p.m.

Ag tours are available at 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to give fairgoers an interactive look at Illinois agriculture. Each hour-long tour, sponsored by BRANDT, takes fairgoers on a tram ride throughout the fairgrounds, guided by members of Illinois FFA. Tour participants learn about the Illinois agriculture industry, including beef, dairy, swine, horse racing, goats, rabbits, corn, soybeans, and pollinators. These tours begin at the Department of Agriculture tent and end at the FFA barnyard.

Harness racing is set for 11:00 a.m. in the Grandstand on Ag Day. The 2018 Illinois Auctioneer Championship Finals are at 10:00 a.m. on the Lincoln Stage. Ten of Illinois’ finest auctioneers will take the stage and compete to become the 2018 Auctioneer Champion, who goes on to serve as the auctioneer at the 2018 Governor's Sale of Champions This evening.

The highlight of each Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair, the 2018 Governor’s Sale of Champions is at 5:00 p.m. in the Livestock Center. Junior Grand Champion livestock will be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with proceeds going to 4-H, FFA, and the individual exhibitor. 

Ag Day closes with one of the 2018 Illinois State Fair’s most anticipated Grandstand concerts, Luke Combs with Ashley McBryde. Tickets are still available at the Grandstand Box Office or via Ticketmaster.com.