Illinois State Fair attendance sets record

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The 150th anniversary Illinois State Fair drew a record crowd this year, topping 1.2 million visitors, officials said Wednesday.

But revenue grew only slightly, to $3.5 million, and was $100,000 less than in 2000, when the fair drew 100,000 fewer people.

"We got people to come because it was the best venue in town, but they also elected not to spend as much money," fair manager Harold "Bud" Ford said at a news conference.

Attendance was 1.265 million, 9 percent more than the 1.157 million who attended in 1969, the first year crowds were estimated. This year's number doesn't include 82,000 who attended the Thursday night preview featuring free admission and reduced carnival rides.

However, revenue was steady, rising just $55,000, or 1.7 percent, to an estimated $3.5 million, although not all receipts are in yet. That's a deficit of $1.3 million from the $4.8 million the Legislature set aside for the event. It's the biggest loss of the four fairs Ford has managed, which have run a combined deficit of $3.7 million.