(Photo By Flickr User Katherine Johnson)

Illinois State Fair attendance is up from rain-soaked 2016!

Officials say attendance at the Illinois State Fair this year improved by more than 15 percent from the rain-soaked 2016 event.

The State Journal-Register in Springfield, IL & wgem.com report the preliminary estimates released recently show 401,658 people attended the fair between August 10th and August 20th, up from 357,410 last year.

Revenue from parking and at the gate also improved from last year.

Alabama, Pentatonix, and Five Finger Death Punch, were among grandstand acts contributing to more than $2 million in revenue from about 59,000 tickets sold.

Fair Manager Kevin Gordon also credited new attractions, lower parking costs, and the addition of mid-week admission discounts for the improved results.

Attendance at this year’s fair was highest on Saturday, August 12th, totaling 55,868. The lowest day for attendance was Thursday, August 17th, totaling 25,053.