Calendar

In partnership with UIS and the Springfield Astronomical Society, the Garden will be hosting a Star Party

Watch the Perseid Meteor shower and telescopes on the Cawley Meadow at Lincoln Memorial Garden

Free. No reservations. May be cancelled for weather.

This is the official start of the fair! Gates open at 7:00 a.m.
More than 70 county fair queens and 105 fairs and expositions from across the state are represented at the fair. It is also the first day of harness racing at the fair’s one-mile dirt track, which is the fastest in the world. The first day of the fair also features the twilight annual Twilight Parade which starts at 5:30 p.m. from Lincoln Park.

Highlights

State Fair Ribbon Cutting

$3.00 Carnival Rides

Twilight Parade

Harness Racing (Grandstand)

Beef Cattle Show, Poultry Shows

Society Horse Show

Arena Event

Wooten rodeo Company

Thursday, August 13, 2026 7:30 PM

Show starts at 7:30 pm

Gates open 1 hour prior to the show

Illinois State Fair Rodeo

presented by Wooten Rodeo Co.

$10.00 Adult / $5.00 Child

Fair Admission is NOT included with event ticket. This is a General Admission seating event.

Join the city of Springfield for the second annual "3 Hot Days in August: Annual City-Wide Observance of the 1908 Race Riot".

This three-day community observance will take place August 13–15, 2026 as we come together to remember, reflect, and honor this important history.

Stay tuned for forthcoming event details and ways to participate.

Each year, the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade marches proudly through Springfield, announcing the annual eleven day showcase of Illinois agriculture and entertainment.

This year, the gates open at 7:00 a.m. with the parade beginning on August 13th at 5:30 p.m.. The theme for 2026 Illinois State Fair is Miles of Smiles!

Woodsy Owl is headed to the Illinois State Fair for a multi-day event series in partnership with the National Waste & Recycling Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service! Stop by for a family-friendly battery safety experience with Woodsy’s Airstream, kids’ activities, giveaways, and simple tips to help keep our communities safe from battery fires.

🗓️ Booth & Airstream: Friday, August 14th - Saturday, August 15th
🕐 10 AM - 6 PM CT
📍 Illinois State Fairgrounds, The Fire Museum

🗓️ Battery Take-Back Event: Friday, August 21st
🕐 10 AM - 6 PM CT
📍 Illinois State Fairgrounds, The Shed

About the Events
- Free with admittance to the Illinois State Fair and open to all ages
- Tour Woodsy Owl’s retro Airstream from August 14-15th
- Drop off your used batteries on August 21st
- Snap photos with Woodsy Owl on all three days!
- Learn how to safely store and dispose of used batteries
- Grab some Woodsy Owl coloring pages and activity books

Every year, thousands of fires caused by batteries happen in the home, at offices, and at recycling centers. When thrown away, the batteries in old holiday decorations, tools, phones, and so much more can easily spark, igniting dangerous fires that are incredibly difficult to extinguish. You have the power to stop them.

Join the city of Springfield for the second annual "3 Hot Days in August: Annual City-Wide Observance of the 1908 Race Riot".

This three-day community observance will take place August 13–15, 2026 as we come together to remember, reflect, and honor this important history.

Stay tuned for forthcoming event details and ways to participate.

Art @ the Market provides a free weekly, make-it, take-it art/craft activity to the public each week. Our activity booth will be at the Bloomington Farmers' Market (near the intersection of Jefferson and Center Streets). This activity is for youth to the young-at-heart adult. Our volunteers will be there to help with the activity which will take about 15 minutes. Drop by during the scheduled time to participate. If the weather is poor, the activity will be held in the lobby just outside our gallery in the Monroe Center.

Woodsy Owl is headed to the Illinois State Fair for a multi-day event series in partnership with the National Waste & Recycling Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service! Stop by for a family-friendly battery safety experience with Woodsy’s Airstream, kids’ activities, giveaways, and simple tips to help keep our communities safe from battery fires.

🗓️ Booth & Airstream: Friday, August 14th - Saturday, August 15th
🕐 10 AM - 6 PM CT
📍 Illinois State Fairgrounds, The Fire Museum

🗓️ Battery Take-Back Event: Friday, August 21st
🕐 10 AM - 6 PM CT
📍 Illinois State Fairgrounds, The Shed

About the Events
- Free with admittance to the Illinois State Fair and open to all ages
- Tour Woodsy Owl’s retro Airstream from August 14-15th
- Drop off your used batteries on August 21st
- Snap photos with Woodsy Owl on all three days!
- Learn how to safely store and dispose of used batteries
- Grab some Woodsy Owl coloring pages and activity books

Every year, thousands of fires caused by batteries happen in the home, at offices, and at recycling centers. When thrown away, the batteries in old holiday decorations, tools, phones, and so much more can easily spark, igniting dangerous fires that are incredibly difficult to extinguish. You have the power to stop them.

This “Democracy Rising” rally is intended to encourage community solidarity while promoting and protecting the principles upon which our country was founded, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We insist our civil rights and institutions be preserved. We believe every person should be given due process under the law. We demand that our elections are fair and free of external influence or interference. These principles are now under attack and we are congregating to say Enough is Enough! - with songs, chants, speakers and group activities. And we'll poke a little fun at the current administration along the way. We'll be treated to music by Albert Capati, Debbie Ross and Mark Gifford. We'll leave with new resolve and suggested Actions to make a difference. This will take place at the Old State Capitol - the setting where Abraham Lincoln told us "a house divided against itself cannot stand" and where Barak Obama announced his candidacy for president. The will also be an opportunity to learn about local advocacy organizations and participate in an on-line mutual aid drive.

Join the city of Springfield for the second annual "3 Hot Days in August: Annual City-Wide Observance of the 1908 Race Riot".

This three-day community observance will take place August 13–15, 2026 as we come together to remember, reflect, and honor this important history.

Stay tuned for forthcoming event details and ways to participate.