Photos: the Illinois State Fair in Springfield

The Illinois State Fair is a barrage to the senses. People squeal as they sit upside down on an amusement park ride, the smell of fried Oreos, funnel cakes and corn dogs waft in the air — and people parade through The Coliseum with their prized barrows, goats and steers. The annual fair, which is held in Springfield and runs until Aug. 26 this year, showcases the state's agricultural and livestock industry. It is both a tradition and a quintessential Midwest experience. …