SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Festivities are getting underway as the Illinois State Fair kicks off in Springfield with the annual Twilight Parade and preview night.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is among the dignitaries scheduled to march in the parade starting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. After the parade the governor is scheduled to attend the State Fair preview show. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is scheduled to be in Springfield too. She’s holding a Thursday afternoon news conference at the Attorney General’s tent about higher education and student loan debt.

Also Thursday afternoon, the Illinois State Fair Butter Cow will be unveiled in the Dairy Building. Illinois Agriculture Director Raymond Poe says the butter cow is one of the most photographed things at the fair.

The fair’s opening day is Friday.