The Illinois Department of Agriculture will host its first-ever Illinois Product Expo in Chicago on Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Isadore & Sadie Dorin Forum on the East Campus of the University of Illinois Chicago.
More than 5,000 attendees are expected at the inaugural event, which the department says offers Chicago-area consumers a chance to sample, shop and connect with producers from across the state. More than 70 Illinois vendors will take part.
The forum is located at 725 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, IL 60608. The Expo runs from noon to 7 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
What to expect
- More than 70 Illinois vendors
- Product samples throughout the Expo
- New and unique Illinois products
- A free Illinois Product bag, while supplies last
Tickets
Advance tickets are available online for $10, plus fees. Tickets purchased at the door cost $15, plus fees.
For more information and updates, the department points to illinoisproductexpo.com, the Illinois Product Facebook page and @illinoisproducts on Instagram.
Background
According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Chicago event expands on the long-standing Springfield and Du Quoin Illinois Product Expos. The department's Oct. 2 announcement quoted IDOA Director Jerry Costello II as saying the Expo has "long been a staple event showcasing the incredible diversity and quality of Illinois-made products." Gov. JB Pritzker said the Chicago expansion marks "a major milestone" in the state's investment in its agricultural community, according to the announcement.
Source: the original release