SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - We are 100 days away from the 2026 Illinois State Fair. The fairgrounds were busy with community members heading to Reisch Pavilion to get their hands on some fair favorites. 

Longtime fair concessions like Vose's Korndogs and Taft's Mr. Ribeye joined with newer groups like Scoop Du Jour to share their selections of fair favorites. Taft's Mr. Ribeye owner Steve Taft said 2026 will make the vendor's 54th year at the Illinois State Fair. 

"The state fair is something I look forward to every year," Taft said. "It's probably my favorite two weeks of the year, and being here to help promote it and get it started is great." 

For Taft, he enjoys the mix of longstanding traditions and big changes as the fair changes with the generations. Fair Manager Rebecca Clark told WAND News about some of the changes coming to this year's fair. 

"We're all very cognizant of what the economy looks like ... so we've always taken great strides to make sure that we are family friendly and affordable," Clark said. "New this year in the Reisch Pavilion, all 11 days of the fair, all the food vendors here will offer a $5 food item. We're calling it the '$5 Fest.'" 

Clark said they've also prioritized free entertainment, especially for younger fairgoers this year. That includes the Dinosaur Adventure exhibit held at Happy Hollow as well as several interactive and educational exhibits for young learners. 

This year's theme is Miles of Smiles, an ode to the fairgrounds location on Route 66. 

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