Heart of Illinois Fair is here! Learn about schedule, tickets, entertainment and more
The Heart of Illinois Fair is set to take over Peoria County this week.
The time has come for 4-H shows, petting zoos, tractor pulls, fair food, carnival rides and more.
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Here's everything you need to know about the Heart of Illinois Fair:
When is the Heart of Illinois Fair 2023?
The Heart of Illinois Fair runs from July 18-22 in 2023.
Where is the Heart of Illinois Fair?
The fair is held at Exposition Gardens, 1601 W. Northmoor Road, Peoria. Visit heartofillinoisfair.com for directions.
What time does the HOI Fair 2023 open?
The Heart of Illinois Fair officially opens to the public at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 18. Fair hours are 4-10 p.m. on weekdays and noon-11 p.m. Saturday.
Heart of Illinois 2023 tickets
Here is cost of admission at the Heart of Illinois Fair:
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Heart of Illinois Fair 2023 schedule
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
10:30 a.m.: Garden/Ag Products
10:30 a.m.: Floriculture
3 p.m.: Junior Swine Show
4 p.m.: Heart of Illinois Fair opening and ribbon cutting
4 p.m.: Hobbies, textiles and food exhibits, and vendors open to the public
4:30 p.m.: Safari Sam and Oscar the Awesome Ostrich
4:30 p.m.: Noah's Way Exotic Petting Zoo
5 p.m.: Always Amazing Magic Show
5:30 p.m.: The Unique Twist
6 p.m.: High Flying Pages
6 p.m.: Celebrity Swine Showmanship Class
6:29 p.m.: Family-Friendly Magic Show
6:30 p.m.: ITPA Pulling
6:30 p.m.: 4-H Canine comeptition in Obedience
7 p.m.: Always Amazing Magic Show
7:30 p.m.: Family-Friendly Magic Show
8 p.m.: Mobile Open Mic Night
8 p.m.: High Flying Pages
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
3 p.m.: Swine Judging − Open Show
4 p.m.: Garden/Ag Products
4 p.m.: Floriculture
4 p.m.: Hobbies, textiles and food exhibits, and vendors open to the public.
4:30 p.m.: Safari Sam and Oscar the Awesome Ostrich
4:30 p.m.: Noah's Way Exotic Petting Zoo
5 p.m.: Always Amazing Magic Show
5:30 p.m.: The Unique Twist
6 p.m.: High Flying Pages
6 p.m.: Young Leaders Kiddie Pedal Pulls
6:30 p.m.: Illini State Pullers Tractor Pulls
6:30 p.m.: Nosework training (Canine Scent Discrimination) Demonstration by Teena Roth of Bright Star
6:31 p.m.: Family-Friendly Magic Show
7 p.m.: Always Amazing Magic Show
7:30 p.m.: Family-Friendly Magic Show
8 p.m.: High Flying Pages
8 p.m.: Todd's Spectacular Light and Music Show
Thursday, July 20, 2023
2 p.m.: UKC All- Breed Conformation Dog Shows 1 and 2
3 p.m.: Heart of Illinois Fair Dairy Cattle − Open Show
4 p.m.: Garden/Ag Products
4 p.m.: Floriculture
4 p.m.: Hobbies, textiles and food exhibits, and vendors open to the public.
4:30 p.m.: Safari Sam and Oscar the Awesome Ostrich
4:30 p.m.: Noah's Way Exotic Petting Zoo
5 p.m.: Always Amazing Magic Show
6 p.m.: Young Leaders Kiddie Pedal Pulls
6 p.m.: High Flying Pages
6:29 p.m.: Family-Friendly Magic Show
6:30 p.m.: Stock Semi-Truck Pulls & Illiana Pullers Assoc. (IPA)
7 p.m.: Always Amazing Magic Show
7:30 p.m.: Family-Friendly Magic Show
8 p.m.: Still Shine Band
8 p.m.: High Flying Pages
Friday, July 21, 2023
2 p.m.: Sheep Judging − Open Show
4 p.m.: UKC All- Breed Conformation Dog Shows
4 p.m.: Garden/Ag Products
4 p.m.: Floriculture
4 p.m.: Hobbies, textiles and food exhibits, and vendors open to the public.
4:30 p.m.: Safari Sam and Oscar the Awesome Ostrich
4:30 p.m.: Noah's Way Exotic Petting Zoo
5 p.m.: Always Amazing Magic Show
5 p.m.: Heroes Inc.
5:30 p.m.: The Unique Twist
6 p.m.: High Flying Pages
6:29 p.m.: Family-Friendly Magic Show
6:30 p.m.: River City Diesel Peoria Area Pick-up Truck Pull
7 p.m.: Always Amazing Magic Show
7:30 p.m.: Family-Friendly Magic Show
8 p.m.: High Flying Pages
8 p.m.: Broken Mojo Band
Saturday, July 22, 2023
8 a.m.: UKC All Breed
Noon: Garden/Ag Products
Noon: Floriculture
Noon: Hobbies, textiles and food exhibits, and vendors open to the public.
Noon: Noah's Way Exotic Petting Zoo
1 p.m.: Safari Sam and Oscar the Awesome Ostrich
1 p.m.: HOI Beef Show
2 p.m.: Kiddie Pedal Pull
3 p.m.: Always Amazing Magic Show
3 p.m.: Heroes Inc.
4 p.m.: High Flying Pages
4:30 p.m.: Family-Friendly Magic Show
5 p.m.: Always Amazing Magic Show
5 p.m.: Pie-eating Contest
5 p.m.: Robbo's Extreme Demolition Derby
5:30 p.m.: Family-Friendly Magic Show
6 p.m.: High Flying Pages
6:30 p.m.: Family-Friendly Magic Show
6:30 p.m.: UKC All- Breed Conformation Dog Shows 1 and 2
7 p.m.: Always Amazing Magic Show
7:30 p.m.: Family-Friendly Magic Show
8 p.m.: High Flying Pages
8 p.m.: Hindsight Band
Visit heartofillinoisfair.com for a complete list of events.
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Heart of Illinois Fair 2023 Demolition Derby and Pulls
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 18: Illinois Tractor Pulling Association
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 19: Illinois State Pullers − Tractor Pulls
6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20: Stock Semi-Truck Pull − 20,000 pounds
6:30 p.m. Friday, July 21: River City Diesel Peoria Area Pick Up Truck Pull
5 p.m. Saturday, July 22: Robbo's Extreme Derby Promotions
Heart of Illinois Fair 2023 food
Blooming onion
Cinnamon rolls
Corn dogs
Cotton candy
Deep fried Oreos
Funnel cakes
Elephant ears
Italian sausages and grilled food
Lemonade
Local favorites
Pineapple drinks
For a closer look at food items, visit heartofillinoisfair.com.
Heart of Illinois Fair 2023 carnival rides
Fairgoers can purchase unlimited ride wristbands at the fairgrounds. Wristbands are $25 per person for unlimited rides each day from 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. On Saturday, unlimited ride wristbands are $30 per person for two shifts — 12:05-5 p.m. and 6-10 p.m.
For more information on carnival rides, visit heartofillinoisfair.com.
Chris Sims is a digital producer for the Journal Star. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Heart of Illinois Fair 2023: Schedule, entertainment, tickets and more
