Present
Starting with the end of World War II, the growth of productivity in agriculture began to reduce the number of jobs in American farming, both as a percentage of total population and in absolute numbers. State fairs began to transition themselves from agricultural trade shows to entertainment operations.
In Illinois, the State Fair Grandstand, originally built as a place to watch harness racing (and still used for that purpose as of 2011) became a venue for concerts and recitals. The "state fair circuit" became a recognized part of the overall live-music industry for many performers, especially but not exclusively in country music. Noted concerts held at The Grandstand include The Who, performing as an opening act for The Association in 1968.
Agricultural show operations, competitions, and judging continued in Springfield, but many State Fairgoers in 2011 were attending the fair to watch parades and spectacles, enjoy the festival rides, listen to music, or drink beer in one of numerous "beer tents."
The Illinois State Fairgrounds now contains more than 100 permanent buildings. In addition, participants set up countless pavilions and trailers during the period the State Fair is in operation. The Illinois State Fair is operated by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, which states in the state's official "Illinois Blue Book" that the purpose of the State Fair is to "showcase Illinois agriculture and offer wholesome family entertainment."
The Illinois State Fairgrounds are also used as a venue for other competitive and entertainment operations throughout the year, such as motorcycle and car racing, horse shows, and rodeos.
Reported attendance at the Illinois State Fair was approximately 650,000 in 2003, 671,333 in 2004, 672,615 in 2005, approximately 705,000 in 2006, and 737,052 in 2008.
Read more about this topic: Illinois State Fair
Famous quotes containing the word present:
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—Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908–1973)
“The line it is drawn
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—Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860–1904)