DuQuoin State Fair kicks off 11-day run in southern Illinois

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

DUQUOIN, Ill. (KBSI) — The DuQuoin State Fair is officially underway, bringing 11 days of food, rides, live music and entertainment to southern Illinois.

The 2026 fair opened Friday, Aug. 28, and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 7. The fairgrounds are open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight. Admission is free for both adults and children this year.

Opening day festivities include the annual Twilight Parade, which steps off at 6 p.m. Friday. This year’s parade theme is “Miles of Smiles.”

The Grandstand entertainment lineup begins Saturday night with rapper Wiz Khalifa at 7:30 p.m. Other performers scheduled throughout the fair include Kameron Marlowe and Ashley Cooke, Tyler Hubbard, Night Ranger, Russell Dickerson and Randy Houser.

Fairgoers can also expect harness racing, motorsports, livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, family entertainment and additional live music throughout the 11-day event.

While admission to the fair is free, parking fees apply after opening day. Daily parking ranges from $10 to $15 depending on the entrance.

The DuQuoin State Fairgrounds are located at 655 Executive Drive in DuQuoin.

View the full DuQuoin State Fair schedule >>>