2022 Heart of Illinois Fair
The Heart of Illinois Fair has been a part of summer in central Illinois since 1949, and the 2022 will run Tuesday, July 19 through Saturday, July 23 at Exposition Gardens on Northmoor Road in Peoria. There will be a carnival with discounted arm bands available daily plus there’s also a “Mega Pass” which is good for all 5 days of the Fair which are a $70 discount available through July 18th.
New this year are two attractions which are included with your Fair entry fee: The Rock-n-Circus and Aussie Kingdom Animal Adventures. The Show Me Swine Pig Races will also be doing daily shows and the and petting zoo will be open. Members of the Peoria Magicians Assembly will perform in the Youth Building throughout the Fair and the Unique Twist Balloon Artists will also be available. The Highway J Band will perform on Tuesday evening following the Hero Award ceremony.
The Dog House (free with paid admission) in the Exhibit Building next to the Youth Building will have UKC All-Breed dog shows including tiny and giant breeds competing for championship points and Best of Show. Puppies will also compete for Best Puppy in Show.
The the 2022 Miss Heart of Illinois Fair Queen, Jr. Miss Heart of Illinois Fair and Little Miss Heart of Illinois Fair Pageants will be held on prior to the Fair opening on Saturday, July 16 beginning at 2 pm. And HOI Heroes nominations will be accepted through July 13th and winners will be announced on the opening of the Fair on July 19th.
The motorsports competitions will include tractor pull on Tuesday and Wednesday, a stock semi-truck pull on Thursday, and demo derbies with multiple categories on Friday & Saturday nights.
The livestock competition will include beef, dairy, sheep, swine and junior swine. And home arts competitions in garden and ag products, floriculture, textiles, photography, food and hobbies will also be a part of the HOI Fair.
Admission to the fair is $8 in advance or $10 at the gate. A five day gate ticket is $20 through July 18th. Kids under 6 are free, kids aged 6 – 12 are $5 and active duty military personnel with military ID are free. Carnival arm bands are $25 daily from 4 – 10 pm Tuesday through Friday and $30 from 12:05 – 5 pm and $30 for 6 – 10 pm on Saturday. Advanced sale carnival mega passes are on sale through July 18 for $90 (a $70 discount). Advance tickets, arm bands and mega passes are available at https://www.heartofillinoisfair.com
