Illinois State Fair Bucks Trend, Elements

Officials with the Illinois State Fair report an increase in attendance despite a heat wave and concert cancellations because of rain.

Fair manager Amy Bliefnick said total attendance for the Aug. 5-21 period was about 701,000, up from 665,500 in 2009. Bliefnick attributes part of the increase to having the Stanley Cup on display for a five-hour period, which drew about 5,000 visitors to view hockey’s Holy Grail.

On the down side, a sold-out Lady Antebellum concert Aug. 13 had to be canceled because of heavy rain and lightning.

Blondie and Cheap Trick’s concert a week later was canceled less than an hour into Blondie’s set because of the same conditions.