FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2002

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Attendance for the Illinois State Fair topped the million mark for the third straight year as fairgoers celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the fair.

An estimated 1,264,750 people came through the fair gates during the ten-day run, a 12 percent increase over 2001.

“While we saw record attendance this year, the emphasis has never been on setting records,” said Illinois State Fair Manager Bud Ford. “Each year we aim to entertain each and every fairgoer that comes through those gates and to teach them something about our state’s most important industry, agriculture. With a wide variety of free stages, top-notch livestock events, terrific grandstand shows, free concerts in the Arena and an expanded Agri-Expo, I think we more than delivered on that goal.”

The fair generated a projected $3.5 million in revenue, up 3.5 percent from the previous year. That came despite free admission to the fair on Agriculture Day to celebrate the 150th Anniversary and a rained-out concert by the Gin Blossoms, Spin Doctors, Seven Mary Three and Sponge on Tuesday, Aug. 13. State Fair Fund expenses are expected to total $4.8 million for the 2002 State Fair.

Projected revenues from the 2002 Illinois State Fair are as follows:

	2001	2002	% Change
Grandstand	$819,009	$833,151	1.7%
Gate Receipts	$1,025,575	$973,245	-5.1%
Space Rental	$901,861	$1,002,363	11.1%
Entry	$113,053	$105,482	-6.7%
Mega Pass	$236,214	$239,250	1.3%
Society Horse Show	$79,681	$75,298	-5.5%
Western Horse Show	$37,960	$44,895	18.3%
Sponsorship	$170,530	$231,500	35.8%
Misc.	$12,364	$14,050	13.6%

###