FAQs

204,004 (2024). 280,000 (2025)

Vendors are chosen by the following criteria: 

• Completed application
• Professional appearance as presented by the color photo required to be submitted with the application
• Uniqueness of product  
• Referrals and experience with multiple-day events 

Rates for vendors vary according to location and front footage. Additional costs include: 

•  electricity 
•  parking passes
•  Supply lots/supply lot electric 
•  Golf Car Passes
•  Camping

Water is provided at no cost to the vendor. While the water is free, the vendor must understand this is a privilege. Abuse of this privilege will be handled accordingly.

Yes. Distance to nearest hydrant varies depending upon your assigned location. Concessions should have about 200’ of hose on hand.

Outside locations, including supply lots: 30 AMP - $150, 50 AMP - $300, 100 AMP - $450. Expo Hall (indoors) $75. 

July 15.

•  Outside vendors are placed on a flatpartial contract. The charges for electricity and 1/3 of the space cost is due by July 15th. The remaining balance (2/3 of the space rental cost) is due the first Monday of the Fair. 
•  Vendors/exhibitors inside the Expo Hall must pay for their electric and space fees in full by July 15th. 

No.

Yes. Seasonal parking permits cost $30 for the entire length of the Fair. These permits are not car specific, but each vehicle must have a permit. Daily permits are $10-15 each, depending on which gate you use.

Parking passes are available at the Grandstand Ticket Office.

Dependable internet connections should be provided individually by each concessionaire or exhibitor for use in their own space.

Yes. Tent or RV camping at the Fairgrounds is available as first-come-first served sites. Vendors may choose to camp in the specified vendor camping area or in the main campground. Either location is $30/night and should be paid to the camp host when you arrive.

No. All camping is all first-come, first served.  (Don’t worry—we have plenty of camping sites!)

Set-up begins the Monday prior to the opening day of the Fair at 8:00am. Tear-down can begin after 8:00pm on Labor Day.

When concessions/exhibitors arrive on site, they must check in to the Space Rental office at the Grandstand. You will:

• pay, or make arrangements to pay, your outstanding balance for space rental
• pick up your vendor packet (very important!)
• after your unit is in position, contact Space Rental Manager for electrical hookup.

• Vendors are required to be OPEN during these times:
  M-F: 4pm-9pm
  Sat-Sun: 11am-10pm
  Labor Day: 11am-8pm
• Official Fair Hours:
  Gates open 8am daily
  M-F: 11am–Midnight
  Sat-Sun: 10am-Midnight
  Labor Day: 10am-9pm

YES! During all 11 days of the Fair, we encourage concessions and exhibitions to be open outside the “minimum required” operating hours. There are various events and activities that happen outside these hours. All vendors should check the daily schedule of events and evaluate their opening times for each day! Example: Horse Racing post time is at 4pm M-T-W. However, beginning late morning, there are hundreds of people inside the Fairgrounds preparing for the races, and spectators enjoying the Fair before the races, all who require food/beverage service.

No. The Fair does not offer rental services, nor do we loan items to private concessions.

Local businesses in Du Quoin may have necessary supplies; the next biggest market(s) for supplies is Carbondale/Marion or Belleville/O’Fallon.

Yes—You must purchase a golf car permit for $200 in the central cash office. 

Yes—You must purchase a regular vehicular parking pass and park in the regular parking lots.

Mornings are quiet and provide the best opportunity to re-stock. You may use your personal vehicle or golf car to access your rental space until 12:00pm. After that time golf car and vehicular access is restricted on the main block of the Fair

Vendors are required to report their footprint requirements at the time of application. These dimensions should include trailer tongues, tie-downs, awnings and anything else that may take up physical space. Vendors who expand beyond their contracted footprint will immediately be asked to adjust back to their predetermined footprint or pay the difference if that option is available. Failure to remain in the contracted footprint may result in additional charges, relocation or removal from the Fairgrounds.

Vendors are welcome to request relocation for the following Fair. Relocations are not guaranteed but the request will be reviewed.

Public Health does not allow vendors to release grey water onto surrounding grassy areas, streets or into sewer drains. DQSF will provide vendors with storage tanks and service. Vendors will need to use their own hoses to run from their unit to the provided tank.

Grease barrels are placed throughout the grounds for vendors to dispose of their grease.

Yes. All Vendors/Concessionaires must attend one Training Session, unless you attended the Illinois State Fair. If you attended the Illinois State Fair in Springfield you may come to a Training Session, sign in, and provide proof of your training given by Sangamon County Health Department.

Contact the Perry County IL Health Department Environmental Health Inspector directly if you have any additional or specific questions.