SPRINGFIELD, IL – After a century of serving as a staple of Americana, the Mother Road Route 66 has had her standing ovation this year for the 100th celebration all across the city.
But the Illinois State Fair may take the cake in ovations, dedicating this year’s theme “Miles of Smiles”, to celebrate Route 66 right outside the gates as the grand marshal of the fair.
In honor of the road, a different local car club every day of the fair will be on full display slow cruising down the streets of the fair.
“Of course agriculture remains at the heart of everything that we do,” State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark said in an announcement on Aug. 6. “Visitors will experience livestock shows, harness racing, educational opportunities that showcase the people and industries that make Illinois a national agricultural leader.”
The inaugural Sunflower Showmanship competition is new to the fair this year, in partnership with the Special Olympics on Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. Illinoisians will be able to walk side by side with exhibitors showcasing livestock skills, while celebrating inclusion through agriculture.
But not all new changes are for fun: a new safety directive from the Illinois State Fair for Grandstand main stage performance will have a new policy of clear bags only going into concert. Clear bags are limited to one per person and must be 14×8 to be allowed inside.
What is the ice cream flavor of the fair?
The ice cream flavor this year is Cruisin’ Candy Crunch; a mix of whole and chopped chocolate candies coated with a candy shell mixed into chocolate or vanilla milkshake mix ice cream.
The treat will be served throughout the length of the fair at the Dairy Building where the Mecca of all Illinoisans, the Butter Cow, will rotate in her full splendor.
The milk is sourced from Illinois own Prairie Farms, a farmer-owned cooperative with over 500 farm families founded in 1938.
Previously in 2024, Illinois got a taste of fresh bursting raspberry with crumbling granola, while in 2025 the return of chocolate chip cookie dough milkshake from Midwest Dairy pairing chunks of chocolate chip cookie chunks with malted swirled goodness.
Cookie dough will be making a return to the fair this year, alongside soft serve ice cream cones, cold milk and cream puffs.
Pair the cold cup of vanilla or chocolate with a walk over to the Reisch Pavilion where everyday vendors under the overhang will be serving up a featured menu item for just $5, or head over to the Village of Cultures for a $3 trial plate of ethnic cuisines returning this year.
The fair runs from Aug. 13-Aug. 23.
Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for The State Journal-Register. She can be reached at CLGrant@usatodayco.com; and on X (Formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Illinois State Fair ice cream flavor unveiled
Reporting by Claire Grant, Springfield State Journal-Register / State Journal-Register
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By Claire Grant, Springfield State Journal-Register | USA TODAY Network
