PEORIA, Ill. – The Heart of Illinois Fair has substantially downsized this summer, and event organizers are hesitant to call it a “fair.”
This year, the event will feature only motor sports, like a tractor show and demolition derby, and a large indoor flea market. Similar to last year, there will be no carnival rides.
Fair Director Charlie Kennell told News 25 the cutbacks are unfortunate. He said the uncertainty tied to the Expo Gardens sale is to blame.
This comes after the City of Peoria approved the purchase of the outdoor event space in late June with hopes of turning the property into housing.
“The carnival is the most key part of attracting traffic,” Kennell said. “I just leave it go. Go with the flow, put on the best we can, and go with it.”
The Fair Queen Pageant and most of the animal events, like cattle shows, have been postponed until next year’s fair. Kennell said this year’s event will still feature a dog show in the opera house and a beer garden with music by a DJ.
He said he is uncertain where the fair will be next year, but he hopes it can return to some normalcy.
The five-day event begins Tuesday, July 15, at 4 p.m.
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