Traffic pattern changes for Illinois State Fair

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Agriculture today announced temporary changes in traffic patterns around the Illinois State Fairgrounds to accommodate the influx of vehicles during the fair.

Beginning at 5 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, IDOT will change the traffic flow around the fairgrounds to one way counterclockwise. In addition, both eastbound and westbound turn lanes from Veterans Parkway to Eighth Street will be closed. Portable signs will inform motorists of the changes. Normal traffic patterns will resume by 6 a.m., Monday, Aug. 19.

Twilight Parade Route

The Twilight Parade, which is Thursday, Aug. 8, will start at 5:30 p.m. in Lincoln Park and travel onto Sangamon Avenue, entering through the Main Gate. From there, the parade will proceed down Main Street to Grandstand Avenue and turn left, marching past the Grandstand and exiting into Lot 21. Staging for the parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the park.

The parade route will close to traffic at 4 p.m., with detour signs along North Grand Avenue and Veterans and J. David Jones Parkways in place. The Parade Run begins at 5 p.m. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. The route is expected to remain closed until 9 p.m. No public parking will be available for parade viewing in Lincoln Park and the Nelson Center. Patrons of the Nelson Center will be able to access the center using Third Street and Black Avenue.

Parking Restrictions

Beginning Thursday, Aug. 8, parking will be prohibited on neighborhood streets south of Sangamon Avenue. These changes will remain in effect until the morning of Monday, Aug. 19.

For more information on the 2024 Illinois State Fair, visit https://www2.illinois.gov/statefair/Pages/default.aspx