Prairie State Wire

The Illinois State Fair has transitioned its livestock exhibitor registration process to an online platform using ShoWorks. This change is now live on the fair's website, alongside the Livestock Premium Book.

Efforts to convert from a paper-entry system to this digital format have been ongoing for months, involving fair staff, show superintendents, and youth advisors. Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, stated, "We are excited to bring our registration process into the 21st century with this powerful tool. Our priority is to make the process more efficient for our livestock exhibitors."

Rebecca Clark, Manager of the Illinois State Fair, added that "the move to ShoWorks will streamline and modernize the process for livestock exhibitor registration." She emphasized that ShoWorks offers "the security, user friendliness and flexibility we need to continue to grow this important aspect of the Illinois State Fair."

ShoWorks' Passport program allows users to manage entries across various events utilizing the same system. A tutorial on the Competitive Events page provides guidance through each step of registration. Additionally, a kiosk in the Competitive Events office inside the Emmerson Building on the fairgrounds offers one-on-one assistance for those needing help with the new system. The office can be contacted at 217.782.0786 and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The deadline for 2024 entries is July 15. The Illinois State Fair will take place from August 8 through August 18 in Springfield. Updates and announcements are available via Facebook and Instagram.