![\"IL-State-Fair-2345\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2345.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nNo matter where you went, there were activities for kids of all ages.\u00a0 From fishing to creating your own artwork, to face painting, to archery lessons and BB gun practice; there were activities for the younger set throughout the fair. Kids Korner had a full program of events scheduled each day from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.<\/p>\n
The livestock competitions gave youngsters a time to shine and many went home with ribbons and a sense of pride in their accomplishments.\u00a0 Noah Schafer (r)(14) of Petersburg, IL and Alyvia Myers (l)(14) of Albany, IN couldn’t have been prouder with \u201cCookie Monster,\u201d an overall award winner.<\/p>\n
The midway was also full of rides, just right-sized for the younger set and the young at heart.\u00a0 Ride operators all seemed to be attuned to working with youngsters and were cheerful as well as helpful to assure their safety.<\/p>\n If you missed it, here are dates for the Illinois State Fair in coming years:<\/p>\n August 13 \u2013 23, 2015 Mark them on your calendar and plan to bring the entire family next year.\u00a0 They\u2019ll love you for it.<\/p>\n Illinois State Fair Grounds<\/p>\n 801 Sangamon Ave.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Springfield, IL<\/p>\n Recommended overnight accommodations:<\/strong><\/p>\n Just a five minute drive to the fairgrounds, we stayed at\u00a0Quality Inn & Suites<\/a>; 3442 Freedom Drive; Springfield, IL 62704\u00a0 (217.787.2250).\u00a0 It was a straight shot to the fairground and couldn\u2019t have been easier to get there.<\/p>\n Quality Inn is one of the type hotels we like to use: good value for the price, park conveniently outside your room, a pool and spa to relax, and good speed, free Internet. The room was quite comfortable with a good sized table where I edited photos, a couple firm, comfortable beds, refrigerator and coffee service in-room.<\/p>\n That sums up\u00a0all the comforts I need for a good night\u2019s stay when I\u2019m on the road. Friendly front staff at the desk and breakfast before you leave, why spend more?\u00a0 Lots of local shopping within a short walking distance and close to many of Springfield\u2019s attractions<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information on Springfield, Illinois, check in with the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau at http:\/\/visit-springfieldillinois.com\/<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Illinois State Fair wrapped up Sunday with headliners Robin Thicke\/MAGIC! performing in the grandstand.\u00a0 They were preceded by Steely Dan on Friday night and Jake Owen\/Parmalee\/Cadillac 3 on Saturday. But, as popular as these acts were with teens and adults, the real winners of this year\u2019s fair may have been the kids. No matter […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10420,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","cos_headline_score":0,"cos_seo_score":0,"cos_headline_text":"","cos_headline_has_been_analyzed":false,"cos_last_analyzed_headline":[],"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[2851,3679,3675,2850],"class_list":["post-10408","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","tag-childrens-activities","tag-il","tag-illinois","tag-statte-fair"],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1",1024,683,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?fit=150%2C100&ssl=1",150,100,true],"medium":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?fit=768%2C512&ssl=1",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?fit=600%2C400&ssl=1",600,400,true],"rpg_gallery_admin_thumb":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1",150,150,true],"rpg_gallery_thumb":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1",150,150,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1",1024,683,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1",1024,683,true],"gb-block-post-grid-landscape":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1",600,400,true],"gb-block-post-grid-square":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1",600,600,true],"et-pb-post-main-image":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1",400,250,true],"et-pb-post-main-image-fullwidth":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?resize=1024%2C675&ssl=1",1024,675,true],"et-pb-portfolio-image":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?resize=400%2C284&ssl=1",400,284,true],"et-pb-portfolio-module-image":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?resize=510%2C382&ssl=1",510,382,true],"et-pb-portfolio-image-single":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1",1024,683,true],"et-pb-gallery-module-image-portrait":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?resize=400%2C516&ssl=1",400,516,true],"et-pb-post-main-image-fullwidth-large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1",1024,683,true],"et-pb-image--responsive--desktop":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1",1024,683,true],"et-pb-image--responsive--tablet":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?resize=980%2C551&ssl=1",980,551,true],"et-pb-image--responsive--phone":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?resize=480%2C270&ssl=1",480,270,true]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":" The Illinois State Fair wrapped up Sunday with headliners Robin Thicke\/MAGIC! performing in the grandstand.\u00a0 They were preceded by Steely Dan on Friday night and Jake Owen\/Parmalee\/Cadillac 3 on Saturday. But, as popular as these acts were with teens and adults, the real winners of this year\u2019s fair may have been the kids. No matter where you went, there were activities for kids of all ages.\u00a0 From fishing to creating your own artwork, to face painting, to archery lessons and BB gun practice; there were activities for the younger set throughout the fair. Kids Korner had a full program of…<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"Travel<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Doug","url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/author\/admindoug\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","author_meta":{"display_name":"Doug","author_link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/author\/admindoug\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1","featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"Doug","author_link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/author\/admindoug\/"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IL-State-Fair-2373.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["Travel<\/a>"],"unlinked":["Travel<\/span>"]},"tags":{"linked":["childrens activities<\/a>","IL<\/a>","Illinois<\/a>","Statte Fair<\/a>"],"unlinked":["childrens activities<\/span>","IL<\/span>","Illinois<\/span>","Statte Fair<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":0,"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 12 years ago","modified":"Updated 8 years ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on August 19, 2014","modified":"Updated on November 19, 2017"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on August 19, 2014 3:08 pm","modified":"Updated on November 19, 2017 10:42 am"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p21Ejy-2HS","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":32757,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/fall-roadtrip-1-ginormous-corn-maze-and-more\/","url_meta":{"origin":10408,"position":0},"title":"Fall Roadtrip 1 – Ginormous corn maze and more","author":"Press Release","date":"August 15, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 It's that time of year when you should be planning your fall road trips. So for the next week or so, we'll be bringing you some likely candidates for dynamite road trips.\u00a0 First up... SPRING GROVE, ILL. -- After a hot, wet summer, the corn at Richardson Adventure Farm\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Travel"","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Corn maze at Richardson Farm","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2018-maze-aerial-July-26-3500-x-1968-192-dpi.jpg?fit=1200%2C674&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2018-maze-aerial-July-26-3500-x-1968-192-dpi.jpg?fit=1200%2C674&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2018-maze-aerial-July-26-3500-x-1968-192-dpi.jpg?fit=1200%2C674&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2018-maze-aerial-July-26-3500-x-1968-192-dpi.jpg?fit=1200%2C674&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2018-maze-aerial-July-26-3500-x-1968-192-dpi.jpg?fit=1200%2C674&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7703,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/great-gardens-grow-rockford\/","url_meta":{"origin":10408,"position":1},"title":"Great Gardens Grow in Rockford","author":"Maureen","date":"December 5, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"When we planned our last trip to Rockford, Illinois, we were pleased to find some amazing gardens available to visitors. While very different from each other, they were all fabulous in their own right. Join us for a quick photo trip to four of Rockford\u2019s best. La Paloma Gardens 3622\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Travel"","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Klehm Arboretum","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Klehm-4.jpg?fit=599%2C397&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Klehm-4.jpg?fit=599%2C397&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Klehm-4.jpg?fit=599%2C397&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12712,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/road-trip-grandkids-five-tips-success\/","url_meta":{"origin":10408,"position":2},"title":"Road Trip with the Grandkids \u2013 five tips to success","author":"Doug","date":"February 2, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Spring should be coming soon, (no thanks to Punxsutawney \u00a0Phil) and the perfect cure for cabin fever is a road trip.\u00a0 Finding a place to take the grandkids is easy if you check our Calendar of Events, and here are five tips to make the experience all that much better.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Travel"","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"SafetyTat tatoo for children","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/IMG_6933-copy.jpg?fit=744%2C439&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/IMG_6933-copy.jpg?fit=744%2C439&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/IMG_6933-copy.jpg?fit=744%2C439&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/IMG_6933-copy.jpg?fit=744%2C439&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8012,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/country-inn-suites-launches-complete-new-design\/","url_meta":{"origin":10408,"position":3},"title":"Country Inn & Suites launches complete new design","author":"Doug","date":"January 22, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Country Inn & Suites is no longer the \u201crocking chair on the front porch\u201d brand that you've known since 1989. With the ribbon cutting of the newest Country Inn & Suites in Springfield, Illinois, the brand has made a significant leap into the future with a new look and new\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Travel"","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Living Room","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Country-9.jpg?fit=600%2C399&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Country-9.jpg?fit=600%2C399&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Country-9.jpg?fit=600%2C399&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":32769,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/fall-roadtrip-3-eight-not-to-be-missed-fall-festivals-near-annapolis\/","url_meta":{"origin":10408,"position":4},"title":"Fall Roadtrip 3 – Eight not-to-be-missed fall festivals near Annapolis","author":"Press Release","date":"August 17, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"It's the Eastern Seaboard at its best, and located in the Middle Atlantic region, fall comes a little later here.\u00a0 That gives you even more time to plan your fall road trip to Annapolis, Maryland and other local wonders in Anne Arundel County area.\u00a0 The food is top notch, the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Travel"","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Kunta_Kinte_FEstival","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Kunta_Kinte_FEstival_22.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Kunta_Kinte_FEstival_22.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Kunta_Kinte_FEstival_22.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Kunta_Kinte_FEstival_22.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Kunta_Kinte_FEstival_22.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":113,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wet-wild-and-wonderful-waterparks-in-ohio\/","url_meta":{"origin":10408,"position":5},"title":"Wet, wild and wonderful waterparks in Ohio","author":"Doug","date":"March 25, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Photo courtesy of Kalihari Resort \u00a0 With the sun and warmer weather in Cleveland, thoughts are quickly turning to \u201cget out of the house\u201d activities for the kids. Being cooped up all winter, it\u2019s time to get out and enjoy some summer type fun. But what do you do if\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/latest-news-blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_-lDfC-5y5Zk\/S6xRuB9Hz0I\/AAAAAAAAAKQ\/uRbl0q61G8M\/s320\/500-Ohio_family_raft.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10408","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10408"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10408\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10420"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10408"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10408"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/a><\/p>\n
\nAugust 11 \u2013 21, 2016
\nAugust 10 \u2013 20, 2017
\nAugust 9 \u2013 19, 2018
\nAugust 8 \u2013 18, 2019
\nAugust 13 \u2013 23, 2020<\/p>\nIf you go:<\/strong><\/h3>\n