2020 Illinois State Fair, Du Quoin State Fair, Cancelled

The Illinois and Du Quoin State Fairs are the latest events to fall victim to COVID-19.

Governor J.B. Pritzker’s office reported Friday the governor would issue an Executive Order cancelling both fairs for 2020.

Pritzker said cancelling the fairs was a difficult decision, but that it is the right choice based on guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health and other experts.

Because of the cancellations, the state Department of Agriculture will host a Junior Livestock Expo in Springfield in September, with the 4-H General Project Show to take place virtually.

The Illinois State Fair had previously been cancelled for four years during World War Two and in 1862 during the Civil War. This is the first time the Du Quoin State Fair has been cancelled since it was taken over by the state in 1986.