Each year as summer winds downs, the city of Du Quoin becomes the most popular location in southern Illinois.
The annual Du Quoin State Fair brings thousands of people to the small town to enjoy the food, rides and entertainment.
Du Quoin Mayor Guy Alongi says the fairgrounds have an economic impact on the region of about 18 to 20 million dollars.
"That also takes into consideration the sales tax that generated from the fair. It also takes into consideration the hotel/motel tax places like Du Quoin, Carbondale, Marion, Mt. Vernon, get from not only the fair itself, the 10 days of the fair, but also some of the non-fair events that are held on the grounds also."
Alongi says it has the greatest economic impact of any venue in southern Illinois.
"You have the nucleus of the fair sitting here in Du Quoin, then you get 18 to 20 million dollars of that nucleus that is generating that type of income and then it's funneled back to all these municipalities all over southern Illinois. I don't think there's one entity in southern Illinois that has the economic impact that the fairgrounds does."
Alongi says he believes the state is committed to keeping the fair open in the future, despite the state's ongoing budget crisis. Visitors had to pay an admissions fee for the first time this year.
The 2016 Du Quoin State Fair runs through Labor Day.
