Prairie State Wire

The Illinois State Fair is bringing back its popular food specials for 2023, offering fairgoers a chance to enjoy diverse culinary experiences without straining their budgets. The initiative, known as Small Plates, Big Tastes, allows visitors to sample dishes from any Village of Cultures vendor for just $3. This program aims to provide an affordable way for attendees to explore various cuisines.

"There are so many tasty options all around the fairgrounds, especially in the Village of Cultures, that we came up with a great way for fairgoers to travel around the world without breaking the bank," said Illinois State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark. "The perfectly sized portions give folks a chance to sample foods they may have not tried otherwise, and if they fall in love with the dish, they can go back for the full-size portion!"

Additionally, the Feeding Frenzy special will make its return this year. Accompanied by the iconic "Jaws" theme song, this event runs every weekday from August 10-11 and August 14-18 between 2-5 p.m. During these hours, participating vendors will offer discounts on select menu items. The music will play 15 minutes before and after the frenzy begins and ends.

For more information on participating vendors and their locations, visitors are encouraged to check the Illinois State Fair website or visit Information Booths at the fairgrounds.