Illinois State Fair Announces Milestone 2026 Theme

The Illinois State Fair has announced it's theme for this year's event.

According to a release from the Illinois State Fair, the theme for the fair this year will honor a milestone that has roots in Illinois

It will be called 'Miles of Smiles', dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the iconic Route 66.

The original cross-country drive that starts in Chicago, the road cuts down through Illinois to St. Louis, and ends in Santa Monica, California. It was established in 1926 and was intended to connect rural communities with bigger cities.

The Illinois State Fair will be August 13th-23rd in Springfield. The theme will be in the traditional Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade which starts at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 13th.

Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, said in the release:

The Twilight Parade has always been about bringing people together, and this year’s ‘Miles of Smiles’ theme captures that spirit perfectly...“Just like Route 66 has connected communities and created lifelong memories, this parade invites everyone to take part in a tradition that celebrates the people, places, and pride that make Illinois special.

Now through August 20th, visitors to Illinois State Museum’s “Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66” exhibit can get one voucher for one adult weekday admission to the fair.

Gate 2 at the Illinois State Fair will have the Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience, a project underway for years.

We know the neon signs and diner nostalgia from Route 66's heyday, but it was also a military logistics route during World War 2 that moved supplies, personnel, and equipment to the West Coast.