From our news partner at CIProud.com

The 2024 Heart of Illinois Fair will look fairly different this year.

The 75th annual event will not have carnival rides, and according to fair leaders. The change is due to carnival companies who took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Unfortunately, the carnival we’ve had for the last couple of years made a decision to leave us, and we scrambled. We had to decide what is it we could do. The dinosaur expedition landed in our lap, and we thought, ‘Yeah, this is something different.’ In 75 years, things have changed,” Roxy Baker, fair president, said.

However, the fair found new ways for families to have fun.

The fair will feature a new dinosaur expedition with animatronics covering more than an acre of fairgrounds. There will also be kiddy rides for families to enjoy with the little ones.

The popular motorsport shows, petting zoo, doghouse, local art and entertainment will continue as usual.

The fair will occur at the Exposition Gardens from July 16-20. The Peoria 4-H Show is going on until Saturday, July 13.

To purchase tickets to the 2024 Heart of Illinois Fair, click here.