SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois State Fair reopened Saturday morning after record rainfall forced organizers to close early Friday and cancel the Grandstand concert.
Fair organizers said the hardest-hit area was a campground, where access continues to be restricted. Officials say the Red Cross helped people from five campers and there were no injuries reported. The National Weather Service reported that Friday set a record for the most amount of rain in a calendar day in Springfield. The 5.59 inches that fell on Friday breaks the previous record of 5.44 inches on Sept. 8, 1926.
Organizers said crews will be available at the fairgrounds to help vendors who may have been impacted by the storm. Some racing events have been postponed, canceled or rescheduled due to conditions.
