What the Farm Progress Show Is
The Farm Progress Show is one of the largest outdoor agricultural events in the United States, a three-day field show where equipment makers, seed and crop-technology companies and farm service firms show their products and run live field demonstrations. It is described as the oldest outdoor farm equipment exhibition in the country. The show alternates between Decatur, Illinois, in odd-numbered years and Boone, Iowa, in even-numbered years. The next Decatur show is August 31 to September 2, 2027, Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It is run by Farm Progress, part of Informa Markets. The 2025 Decatur show drew 161,000 attendees and 548 exhibitors, and other coverage put the exhibitor count above 600.
Who It Is For
Producers, equipment and technology buyers, dealers, student groups and families attend. FFA competitions for Indiana and Illinois teams were part of the 2025 show, with $1,000 in total prizes from Farm Credit associations. Programs include Women in the Field, Field Demos, Career Crawl, a Hospitality Tent and the My Show App.
What You See
- Equipment and technology: farming equipment, seed technology and crop management exhibits on a 640-acre site.
- Field demonstrations: in 2025, harvest equipment demonstrations started at 11 a.m. on the demo fields, and tillage equipment at 2 p.m.
- Drone Zone: this area debuted in Decatur in 2025, with dry and liquid applicator drones shown outside Gate 4.
- Connectivity: free Wi-Fi across the 90-acre show site, provided by John Deere.
Tickets and Costs
For planning, the 2025 Decatur show charged:
| Ticket (2025 Decatur show) | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults at the gate | $25 |
| Advance online ticket | $15 plus fees |
| Ages 13 to 17 | $10 |
| Ages 12 and under | Free |
Groups of 20 or more buy tickets online, and student tickets were not sold online. Other costs in 2025: a personal golf cart permit was $80 (free for valid handicap credential holders), with carts held under 5 mph, kept out of exhibit spaces and driven by operators at least 25 years old. Golf cart and mobility scooter rentals were available at Gate 1 and sell out, so reserve ahead.
Where and Getting Around
The show is held at Progress City, E Sixth Progress St, Decatur, IL 62521, a 640-acre facility next to Richland Community College. Parking lots sit beside the site and are color-coded: west lot (green) and south lot (blue), with accessible parking in the front rows of each. Trams ran daily from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to carry visitors to the machine staging area, loading from Gate 3 across Mound Road. Free RV and camper parking started at noon the day before the show, first-come, first-served, with no hookups or facilities. First aid is at Lot 1E in the northeast corner, and restrooms are next to the food courts in each quadrant.
Key Dates
- August 31 to September 2, 2027: Farm Progress Show, Decatur, Illinois
- August 29 to 31, 2028: next show, Boone, Iowa
- August 28 to 30, 2029: Decatur, Illinois
Questions
Is it held in Illinois every year?
No. It alternates between Decatur in odd-numbered years and Boone, Iowa in even-numbered years.
Do kids need a ticket?
At the 2025 show, ages 12 and under were free.
Can I park an RV?
In 2025, free RV and camper parking was available first-come, first-served with no hookups.
Who do I contact?
Call the Farm Progress shows office at 1 (212) 600-3668.
Official Links
- Farm Progress Show future dates: 2027 through 2034 schedule and hours
- Farm Progress Show news: attendance, exhibitors, contact
- WAND: everything you need to know before the 2025 show: venue, tickets, parking, trams
- Enjoy Illinois listing: site size and address
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Macon County Fair
Macon County Fair in Decatur is a summer county fair with 4-H and junior exhibits at 3700 N. Westlawn Ave.. Held each year; the most recent dates were May 31 to June 7, 2026.
3700 N. Westlawn Ave., Decatur, IL | Organizer: Macon County Fair Official event details - Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
The 2026 IFB Annual Meeting is scheduled for December 12-15 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Illinois Farm Bureau delegates gather each December to set policy and elect leadership.
- Illinois Farm Bureau Newer Presidents Seminar
A one-day January 2027 seminar for newer county Farm Bureau presidents, held at the IAA Building on Towanda Avenue in Bloomington.
1701 Towanda Ave, Bloomington, IL | Organizer: Illinois Farm Bureau Official event details - From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference
The 2027 From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference runs January 27-29 at the Bank of Springfield Center, serving Illinois specialty growers and local-food producers.
Springfield, IL | Organizer: Illinois Farm Bureau Official event details - Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference
Illinois Farm Bureau members meet at the Bank of Springfield Center on February 16, 2027 for the Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference, focused on state advocacy.
1 Convention Center Plaza, Springfield, IL | Organizer: Illinois Farm Bureau Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.